Earth Lodge

Set in 16 acres of natural forest in a small hamlet on the border of Kanha Tiger Reserve, the Earth Lodge is in a fantastic location, within easy access of the park but mercifully set away from the hub of tourist hotels.

Kanha’s 12 luxury bungalows reflect the lodge’s commitment to environmental initiatives: made from local stone and reclaimed waste wood, their design is inspired by Gond tribal architecture. The cottages are built using locally available materials such as mud plaster, stone, terracotta tiles, rough-hewn timber beams and feature furniture made from waste and recycled wood. Despite their rustic and sustainable construction, however, they are luxurious and feature modern comforts such as air conditioning and en suite bathrooms.

At Kanha’s multi-cuisine dining hall, a delicious variety of Indian and Continental dishes are served up with the same commitment to the local environment as the rest of the lodge: fresh, locally grown produce is sourced from local villages and the kitchen’s own gardens. Guests are invited to join in the weekly visits to village markets to source ingredients. During visits to nearby villages, you’ll also  have the opportunity to sample local delicacies such as papad, a variation on papadums made from rice, flour, yoghurt and a rich mix of herbs and spices. As well as the main dining hall, Kanha features an outdoor barbecue and bush dining area.

The lodge features a beautiful infinity pool set amid mahua trees, whose edge blends seamlessly into the surrounding forest. The resort has a gift shop where you can pick up any number of souvenirs, including local handicrafts as well as books, t-shirts and caps. A signature item on sale is the pugmark ashtray, moulded from a real footprint of a local animal. Kanha’s eco-friendly ethos is evident throughout the resort, which uses solar power wherever possible – from the lanterns which light the paths to the ovens which cook your food.

The forests, ravines and meadows of Kanha National Park apparently inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his classic collection of stories, The Jungle Book, and among the creatures who make their homes here are Indian leopards, sloth bears and Indian wild dogs. Jeep safaris depart regularly from the lodge in the early morning and later afternoon, and are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who will maximise your chances of seeing as much wildlife as possible.