kanha, madhya pradesh - toftigers activity update april... · wild dogs, gaur, barasingha, and...
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Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
We have asked all lodges to give us updates and plans for the future, with new experiences on
offer for your clients. Classic jeep safaris and other core activities continue. Visit our website for
further details (www.toftigers.org). Activities or developments below are additional or new.
Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
Singinawa Jungle Lodge (Outstanding Pug Eco Rating)
New for 2013, 2014
1. Volunteer project at Singinawa Foundation
This 12 day programme aims to give an
introduction to tiger conservation at a grass
roots level in Kanha. Safaris and walks give
opportunities for rare glimpses of tigers,
wild dogs, gaur, barasingha, and other
mammals and to experience the area’s rich
bird and insect life. Talks on tiger
conservation, wildlife management and
human-animal conflict by experts and
facilitators give an insight into the practical
problems of conservation.
Copyright Nanda SJB Rana
2. Annual Festival at Singinawa
Over 120 tribal artists from the Gond, Baiga, Ahir, and Nayak
communities participated in the first festival Celebrating the
Tribes of Central India. In 2014, Singinawa Foundation will be
offering homestays at the artists’ village in Dindori to experience
Gond culture and lifestyles. Demonstrations of Gond dancing,
art, and music will be presented as well as opportunities to learn
to cook and taste the local cuisine. Funds raised will be used for
the community to provide essential services such as drinking
water, scholarships for children and art material for the Gond
artists.
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
3. Artist Residencies at Singinawa
The Singinawa Foundation Artist-in-Residence Programme offers visual,
performing and literary artists a residency from 2-6 weeks during the
months of October, November, January and February each year with
accommodation at the Singinawa Jungle Lodge. For every two visiting
artists, the Singinawa Foundation, will grant a one week residency to a
local artist offering a once in a lifetime experience for an exchange of
ideas and culture. Artists will be encouraged to create a body of work
and share it with the Foundation to raise conservation awareness and
support for the tribal artists of the region.
Contact: Dr Latika Nath Rana, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 124 2364697
Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
Kipling Camp (Outstanding Pug Eco Rating)
New Outstanding Provider
The Lodge is encouraging visitors to treat Kipling Camp
as a destination in itself, where they can relax, go on
guided bird watching, walks and treks, experience local
culture, and visit local villages and markets. Absolutely
no need to go near the park.
On offer next season will be more opportunities for
guests to absorb the rhythm of village life from markets
and local brick making to local agriculture such as rice
and sugar cane harvesting. Cooking demonstrations in local village houses and walks along village
paths are also planned. The Lodge also now features hides for birders.
Contact: Rajeev Hubert, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 11 6519 6377
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
Kanha Jungle Lodge (Runner up TOFT Awards 2010)
Wildlife Reporting Study - To support park management, the Lodge
will encourage all visitors to help develop and record their animal
sightings and behaviours after visits and walks. The Lodge places a
writing board at the entrance, which each season is translated into
a report for park management.
Kid Friendly Adventures - The Lodge makes learning for children
more exciting by displaying the lists of animals to see (with a tick
box chart) both inside and outside the park or even in and around
the Lodge (they offer the big five and little five to find within 100
yards of their bedroom). The Lodge also designs quizzes and
booklets for adults/kids that allow them to build on what they saw
on their game drive and nature walks.
Contact: Radhika Rana, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91-11-2685 3760
Pench, Madhya Pradesh
Pench Jungle Camp
The camp has a 37 acre eco park that has
been restored to nature by the owners on
the buffer area of the park. Many birds,
small mammals and occasionally leopards
and tigers have been spotted in the area. A
new machan has been set up to make it fun
for birdwatchers and the resident naturalists
like to guide visitors and especially kids
through this area.
Contact: Gajendra Singh Rathore, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 7695 232817
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
Satpura, Madhya Pradesh
Forsyth’s Lodge (Outstanding Pug Eco Rating) New
1. Junior Rangers Course
A fun and interactive course spread over three days for children (and
adults) interested in acquiring the basic tools of jungle craft to increase
their understanding and enjoyment of wilderness. Led by Forsyth’s
naturalists, the course covers use of equipment,
basics of ecology, learning how to identify different
species, making field notes and sketches,
identifying tracks and basics of nature
photography. The course operates for 2 hours a
day and 30-40 minutes in the evening.
2. Pachmarhi & Forsyth’s Walking & Wildlife Package
A four to eight day package combining a walking tour
exploring the Pachmarhi Hills with beautiful landscape, rich
wildlife and cultural landmarks, before staying at Forsyth’s
Lodge and visiting the Satpura National Park. Features
include rugged mountains, gorges and waterfalls, rock
paintings and the famous ancient rock-cut Pandav caves.
Find evidence of tigers and leopards and enjoy a wealth of
wildlife from Crested Serpent Eagles, Indian Grey Hornbills
and more than 50 species of butterflies to Barking Deer,
Gaur, Tree Shrews and Malabar Giant Squirrels.
• Additional Activities
• Village Kitchen – traditional fare cooked by local women in a village kitchen created at the
Lodge; a community enterprise popular with guests
• Night drives in the forests outside the park – an opportunity to see leopards, sloth bears,
small cats, civets and much more in an otherwise ignored area
• No Motor Day – drinks on the house for any client who only walks, uses canoes, hides or
elephants to explore Satpura
• Cycle safaris in Satpura Tiger Reserve
Contact: Mr Sunil Yohannan, [email protected] Tel: + 91 9302625334
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
Madhya Pradesh
Taj Safaris (Mahua Kothi joint winner TOFT Lodge Awards 2012)
Taj Safaris have produced a
good new booklet that gives a
host of ideas for clients when
not on safaris or when parks
are closed. The most
innovative include:
1) A native for a day
2) Potter’s Brunch
3) Camera trap fun
4) Walking treks in
Rukhad Sanctuary in
Pench
Contact: Mridula Tangirala, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 9873199677
Madhya Pradesh
New Mobile Safaris, Pugdundee Safaris
An opportunity to experience wilderness on
tailor made mobile safaris for up to ten guests
in basic tents with cots (no electricity)
accompanied by a team of experienced
naturalists and core camp team.
A mixture of camp and lodge accommodation:
• Walking through Satpura National Park
with the option for extension to Kanha,
Bandhavgarh and Pench National Parks
• Walking safari between Panna and
Bandhavgarh National Parks
Contact: Manav Khanduja, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 124 4222657
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
Ranthambhore, Rajasthan
The Oberoi Vanyavilas (Outstanding Pug Eco Rating)
1. New Weekly Demonstrations of Local Artists
Mr MD Parashar, famous for his painting of Ranthambhore
landscapes and wildlife and promoting conservation, displays his
finest work in an open-air gallery accompanied by live
demonstrations.
A new avenue to display local arts and crafts including the
traditional work of the Moghiyas, a hunting tribe from the region,
has also been created. Guests can experience and try the ancient
art of block printing using natural colours from vegetables, fruits,
leaves and spices and also see women making linen using
traditional patchwork and Kantha (hand) embroidery.
2. Bird Watching Excursions, Nature and Wildlife Presentations
Guests can take half day guided excursions to wildlife hotspots
bordering the reserves attracting migratory water birds during the
winter with Resident Naturalists, in addition to experiencing over
75 different species of birds in the gardens and orchards of the
resort itself.
A representative from Tiger Watch, an NGO, visits three times a week to speak about wildlife
and promote awareness of conservation work, in addition to presentations by the in-house
naturalist. Guided walks with the resort’s horticulturalist are also available.
3. Activities for Young Guests
Sessions for kids are run by the naturalist on animals and the ecology of
Ranthambhore, and by the horticulturalist on global warming, the benefits of
tree planting and how to take care of young plants.
Young guests can also enjoy bathing two pet elephants.
Contact: Ratna Malhotra, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 7462 223999
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
Bandipur, Karnataka
Dhole’s Den (Quality Pug Eco Rating)
New Opportunity for Camping
Visitors to Dhole’s Den can now enjoy an
experience of camping in the open air either
pitching their own tent or using one supplied
by the lodge. Food and facilities in the lodge
are available for use. INR 3000 per person of
which 50% will go to the Dhole’s Den Research
Foundation for projects such as supporting
local schools, and research on the flora and
fauna of Bandipur.
Contact: Mr Karthik Davey, Email: [email protected] Tel: + 91 9444928076
Kaziranga, Assam
Diphlu River Lodge (Quality Pug Eco Rating)
Dolphin Boat Safari - a day
exploring the Brahmaputra River
on the Lodge’s own boat – an
opportunity to see the endangered
‘Gangetic Dolphins’, the National
Aquatic Animal of India, with picnic
lunch and visit to the 11th
century
temple of Hatimura
Contact: Nirmalya Choudhury, [email protected] Tel: +91 361 2667871
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
Tadoba, Maharashtra
Tiger Trails Jungle Lodge (Joint winner TOFT Lodge Awards 2012) Tadoba is one of the few parks that is open all year round, offering visitors an opportunity to visit
in the monsoon season.
New for 2013. Stay in the Forest Canopy. Guests can stay 20
feet above the forest floor in tree house machans, fully
provisioned, in the remote corner of the Lodge’s private
forest. Regular day time visitors to the adjacent waterhole
are a group of chital, gaurs, peafowl, langur monkeys and an
occasional nilgai. Nocturnal visitors include sloth bear and
the resident wild dog pack.
Camera trap study. As a 19 acre
conservancy, many creatures visit
the restored forest at night
including 6 known tigers, sloth
bear, leopard, porcupine and wild
dog. The Lodge catches them on
close circuit TV and camera traps
and guests can see every morning what has been seen, and
compare to their Tiger ID study.
Contact: Mr Aditya Dhanwatay, Email: [email protected], Tel: +91 712 6541327
Tadoba, Maharashtra
Svasara Jungle Lodge (Good Pug Eco Rating)
New Feature - The Teakhouse
The Teakhouse is the Lodge’s latest addition to
help with their primary efforts around
reforestation, educating guests and providing
immersive experiences. Built of reclaimed teak,
tiles and other natural materials, the Teakhouse
houses a Jungle Cinema, where trained
Naturalists make guest presentations on issues
such as conservation in Tadoba and local birdlife
and show documentaries. Outdoor Dining is
available amongst an organic vegetable garden.
The Jungle Nursery has thousands of indigenous
jungle plants and trees.
Contact: Ratika Sinha, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 9582302299
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
Royal Tiger Resort (Quality Pug Eco Rating)
Tree Planting
Royal Tiger Resort has launched a new
initiative encouraging guests to plant trees on
the property and in nearby villages – each tree
planted to be linked to the guest’s name.
Updates and photographs of the tree’s
progress will be sent on their birthday.
Contact: Deepika Sindhu, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 9818069248
Corbett, Uttaranchal
Jim’s Jungle Retreat (Quality Pug Eco Rating) New Corbett Wilderness and Cultural Experiences
NEW Corbett Wilderness and Cultural Experiences – Available since January 2013:
• Bird Watching Drive in Tumheria Reservoir with Picnic Lunch – half / full day experience
• Bird Watching Drive and Soft Trek in Bhuwankhal for Himalayas with Picnic Lunch – full day
experience
• Bird Watching Drive and Corbett Heritage Trail in Choti Haldwani (Corbett’s Village & Museum)
with Homestay Lunch – full day experience
NEW Corbett Wilderness and Cultural Experiences – Available Summer 2013:
• Night Stays in Choti Haldwani Village Homestay
• Bird Watching Drive and Farmhouse Experience with Homestay Lunch
• Adventure Activities on Kosi River with Picnic Lunch – Rock Climbing & Rappelling, River
Crossing, River Jump
Contact: Saurav Bhattacharya, Email: [email protected] Tel: +91 11 4351 6376
Wildlife Product Update
April 2013
TOFTigers Member Lodges with PUG Eco Ratings
Bandhavgarh
• Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge (Quality)
• Bundela Jungle Lodge (Good)
• King’s Lodge (Quality)
• Maharaja’s Royal Retreat (Good)
• Mahua Kothi (Outstanding)
• Skays Camp (Quality)
• Treehouse Hideaway (Quality)
• Tigers Den Resort (Quality)
Bandipur
• Country Club Wildlife Resort (Good)
• Dhole’s Den (Quality)
• Windflower Tusker Trail (Good)
Corbett
• Camp River Wild (Good)
• Jim’s Jungle Retreat (Quality)
Gir
• Lion Safari Camp (Quality)
Kanha
• Banjaar Tola (Quality)
• Bundela Safari Lodge (Good)
• Chitvan Jungle Lodge (Outstanding)
• Kanha Earth Lodge (Quality)
• Kanha Jungle Lodge (Quality)
• Kipling Camp (Outstanding)
Kanha (cont.)
• Royal Tiger Resort (Quality)
• Shergarh Tented Camp (Quality)
• Singinawa Jungle Lodge (Outstanding)
Kaziranga
• Diphlu River Lodge (Quality)
Nagarhole
• Orange County Resort (Outstanding)
• KAAV Safari Lodge (Quality)
Panna
• Ken River Lodge (Good)
• Pashan Garh (Outstanding)
Pench
• Baghvan – Taj Safaris (Quality)
• Pench Jungle Camp (Quality)
Ranthambhore
• Khem Vilas (Quality)
• The Oberoi Vanyavilas (Outstanding)
Satpura
• Forsyth’s Lodge (Outstanding)
• Reni Pani Jungle Lodge (Quality)
Tadoba
• Svasara (Good)
• Tiger Trails Jungle Lodge (Quality)
Last updated: 22 April 2013
For more information contact: [email protected]
www.toftigers.org
The TOFTigers Initiative is a not-for-profit company (Limited by guarantee)
registered in England (company no. 8299072)