Satpura Under Canvas

Reni Pani Jungle Lodge
Reni Pani Jungle Lodge is an exquisitely designed conservation and wildlife focused lodge situated just outside Satpura National Park. It features 12 luxury cottages encompassing three distinct designs, a cosy central meeting place called the Gol Ghar, and a jungle pool located on the edge of its seasonal nullah.

The property is spread over 30 acres of striking forest cover, typical of the Satpuras. The site features the kind of surroundings that any nature lover would want: magnificent trees, a sprawling meadow, a seasonal nullah, uneven yet beautiful topography and waterholes that attract several species of bird and mammal.

Depending on the time of your arrival, we can arrange for an afternoon game drive in Satpura National Park.

Satpura National Park, which covers an area of 524 km², takes its name from the magnificent Satpura range in central India. The park was set up in 1981 conservation zone for tigers. The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of fascinating deep valleys, sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, thickly dense green forest of Sal and other medicinal herbs and the Tawa reservoir. As the very heart of this unique eco-system, Satpura National Park is rich in bio-diversity.

Species known to reside in Satpura include spotted dear, leopard, tiger, porcupine, gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, dhole (wild dog), black buck (unique to Satpura), pangolin, languar, marsh crocodile, and more. The Indian giant squirrel, almost extinct elsewhere in India, is also among the unique attractions of Satpura National Park. Sightings of gaur, dhole, sloth bear and leopard are generally very good compared to the other central Indian game parks, though of course never guaranteed. Tiger sightings, on the other hand, are not as common as in nearby Bandhavgarh, Kanha or Pench National Parks, but do occur.

At 9am you start the 8km trek towards Jhela, where your first camp is located. The trail crosses open woodland until you reach the Denwa River. Once you join the Denwa you will follow its courses to Jhela, which is located on its banks.

These areas lie within the reserve and you are likely to encounter several species of bird including the crested serpent eagle, grey hornbills, common kingfishers, jungle prinias, blackhooded orioles, golden fronted leafbirds, amongst others.  Since we will be on the fringe of the reserve and buffer area, you should also be on the look out for mammals.

Arrival at Jhela will be around 2pm, the camp will have been set up in advance of your arrival and lunch will be served. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the camp surrounds or perhaps enjoy a siesta. Overnight at Jhela camp.

As you walk along the Denwa, you will be able to witness some of the magical scenery that Satpura offers in the form of high sand banks, narrow waterways and a beautiful confluence with the Bainganga River. You may need to wade through knee deep water at times in order to reach Dehlia Camp!

En route you may see crested serpent eagle, kingfishers, grey wagtails and Tickel's blue flycatcher. There is also a steep cliff that is used by the endangered Indian vultures as a nesting site.

Expect to reach Dehlia Camp, where lunch will be served, early afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at Dehlia Camp.

There is a beautiful perennial stream at Kanchighat where you can take a dip and admire the local birdlife; look out for red-whiskered bulbul, Indian nuthatch, yellow tit, oriental white-eye, and beautiful damselflies like the stream glory and jewel.

As you begin the gradual ascent to Pachmarhi you will also be able to witness a transformation in the forest as the predominantly teak forest of the lower foothills gives way to dense forests of sal. There are stunning vistas along the way, so take the time to enjoy the walk at a slow and steady pace. You should reach Pachmarhi by 2pm, when you will be met by your driver and transferred to a nearby hotel for lunch.

After lunch and rest, you return to Reni Pani Jungle Lodge for one night (full board).

After breakfast and the morning’s safari, transfer back to Bhopal airport for your onward travel arrangements, or perhaps travel to nearby Bandhavgarh National Park for further wildlife sightings.