I've just returned from a three night stay at Kanha Jungle Lodge and my experience there can only be described as delightful. The Lodge is managed by Tarun and Dimple Bhati. They make you feel nothing less than as if you've entered their own home. Ideally located very close to the Mukki Zone of the Kanha National Park, the Lodge is set midst the splendor of a Sal forest, bringing about all the treasures of living with nature.

Every space in the premises is marked with the Bhati family's presence: Tarun's calm and solidness, Dimple's love and care and their little seven year old son Jay's zest for life.

The food is amazing and was a delightful blend of spices and color catering to everyone's taste buds. Although the menu consisted of predominantly Indian dishes, everyone around the table enjoyed every morsel. I particularly relished the various varieties of tea ranging from the traditional spice tea, to ginger tea and lemon-grass tea which was served during the various meal and tea times (almost right throughout the day). I loved the chili chutney and Dimple willingly wrote the recipe in the book of Kanha's Favourite Recipes which she has compiled and can be purchased at the Lodge.

The family, Jay included, are ardent nature lovers and gives great insight to the life surrounding the Lodge. Vrathika who is a volunteer naturalist accompanied me on every safari tirelessly and was a great aspiring naturalist, companion and friend.

The drivers and most of the guides were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. All of them and Vrathika were equally excited as I was, about the sighting of animals and birds.

About tigers, they are such unpredictable animals. February although deemed to be a reasonably good month for sightings did not prove to be particularly fruitful as it had rained a few days before I had arrived and the big cats may have most likely retrieved inward. However, I was fortunate enough to have had two tiger sightings, one sighting each of a sloth bear, the Indian Bison and the four horned antelope. The other animals such as the swamp deer, barking deer, sambar, spotted deer and many varieties of birds were plentiful.

Adding to the experience is a flying squirrel that makes an appearance at the Lodge around 6.30 pm every day. The guests who return from the evening safari are just in time to witness this spectacular show whilst munching on nick-knacks served with tea or coffee close to a warm crackling fire (it is rather cold in February).

Staying at Kanha was a great advantage in terms of the location and convenience of organizing the trip as well. My entire stay including the safaris were organised together and I didn't have the hassle of carrying too much cash for extras. The Lodge does offer laundry facilities and other additional options for beverages which guests can purchase at the lodge. The only flip side I see is that there is no provision to pay by card or currency other than Indian. Considering the fact that the location is set midst the jungle, I do not consider this unacceptable at all.

Overall, Kanha Jungle Lodge is ideally located, has a very homely, comfortable environment and serves wonderful food. Tarun, Dimple, Jay and the staff there, including Vratika make the stay and the whole trip worthwhile. I honestly wished I could have stayed longer and felt sad when I had to say goodbye. I left with the hope of going back there again soon.

The Kanha Jungle Lodge, tucked off the main road near the Mukki gate entrance to Kanha Reserve and very near the river, is a remarkable family-run lodge, where even the 7 year old son is a knowledgable wildlife guide. The personal warm welcome and constant presence/attention of the family were complemented by the other attentive staff. One day the father drove our jeep round with the son as a 'game spotter' and we learnt an enormous amount more than usual about the reserve and the wildlife. When we left after four days we felt we were leaving friends.
The lush grounds are gorgeous, with a flying squirrel as entertainment every evening and a welcome fire pit on the terrace. The food (buffet lunch and dinner) is quite stunning and varied every day, with cookery classes offered (at least to tour groups), while drinks and nibbles were offered on return from safaris. Some semi-European style dishes were offered to fellow travellers who could not eat spices, but basically this was Indian family/regional cuisine at its best. Packed breakfasts to eat in the Reserve were similarly varied and delicious. Supplies of cold Kingfisher beer were topped up in a shopping expedition to town when they realised we were about to drink them dry.
Beside the outside terrace for lunch and tiffin, the open sided rondavel has casual seating and wildlife books to peruse, a small bar (open 24/24 if you have the energy) and the restaurant area for dinner, as well as both fixed and mobile wood fires.
Accommodation is in a row of simple rooms with twin beds, albeit both small double bed size. The major problem (in a period of unusual severe cold) was lack of heating in the rooms and lack of hot water in the mornings - the water is heated only at lunch time and during the 'cocktail hour' but then runs out again later in the evening. Hot water bottles were put in the beds during dinner (and issued on departure to the reserve early mornings) and were essential. The usual hot towels were issued on return.
The small shop has a wonderful range of ethically sourced and attractive local handicrafts/souvenirs, books and useful fleeces and scarves/pashminas, all at very affordable prices.
All in all, it was an extremely pleasant and memorable - even unique - experience.
I cannot comment on the price since it was part of a package tour.

I have just heard it in stories that there is heaven on earth and that too in the middle of a Jungle in the "Adivasi" (tribal) areas of Madhya Pradesh, India. But after a long Journey (Delhi-Jabalpur by an ATR flight and then by Road to Balaghat District with not so good roads), I found myself at Kanha Jungle Lodge. This is probably the closest to Mukki Gate of Kanha Forest. The journey was tiring but the moment we entered the Lodge amidst the dense Sal forests, I was mesmerized. I forgot the long journey. It was very refreshing. Best part: Tarun and Dimple Bhati (the couple which takes care of this place) were out to welcome the guests including us. Never in my life I have seen such good hospitality and personal care. The rooms were comfortable and devoid of any distraction from the key aim that was "The Jungle". From food to the upkeep to the personal attention - I shall not complain about anything. My expectations were less and therefore what I got there was too overwhelming and wonderful.

We spent three nights there and when I was leaving the Lodge, I made a promise to myself...I won't mind coming there again. Highly recommended place and mostly because of both Tarun and Dimple Bhati.

When we first arrived, the place looked very pretty and was great as we were sent straight on short a drive (we were late due to our train) but very disappointed as when we got back we felt we were left in the lurch as no one actually greeted us or gave us any guidance whatsoever. It turned out that we had actually seen the manager but he didn't even introduce himself or tell us what would be happening and speaking to him later he came across quite abrupt and rude (maybe it was just us as later noticed he seemed fine with everyone else!) To completely counteract that however, his wife Dimple was lovely, welcoming and very helpful beyond the call of duty. (even arranging to get me thermals as we hadn't realised how freezing it was in the mornings!) The manager (i still don't know his name!) was later a bit nicer to us but it was just a shame that the initial impression was so poor. Also, after having stayed at another lodge straight after, where there was very much a group feeling and everyone sat round together with the guides and the emphasis was on the drives and seeing the tigers, i would say this was more treated like a hotel which for us wasn't as good. The surroundings at the lodge were lovely though and the service in general was very good and efficient just mainly quite formal.
Our guide Vinay was great and very sweet and helpful, unfortunately we had a very disappointing couple of days with regards to viewing tigers but that certainly wasn't anyone's fault but just bad luck.
Most of all I have to say the food was amazing, for lunch and dinner we had a very varied buffet and it was absolutely delicious. If it was a restaurant we would have gone there everyday just for that!