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: info@singinawa.in 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: info@kiplingcamp.com 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: tigerresorts@tigersindia.com 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: freedom@penchjunglecamp.com 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, info@forsythlodge.com 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: Mridula.Tangirala@tajsafaris.com 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: manav@pugdundeesafaris.com 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: ratna.malhotra@oberoihotels.com 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: manager@dholesden.com 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, info@jungletravels.in 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: info@tigertrails.in, 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: ratika@svasararesorts.com 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: deepika@royaltiger.com 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: info@jimsjungleretreat.com 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: info@toftigers.org

www.toftigers.org

The TOFTigers Initiative is a not-for-profit company (Limited by guarantee)

registered in England (company no. 8299072)