BANJAAR TOLA, KANHA

On the edge of the Banjaar River, peacefully overlooking Kanha National Park on the opposite bank, sits Banjaar Tola, a Taj Safari Lodge. Kanha is one of the best maintained National Parks in India and the best way to experience the wonder and majesty of this prime wildlife reserve is via the legendary hospitality of this Taj Safari Lodge.

The Banjaar Tola lodge and suites epitomize the design mastery of Sanjay Prakash, a renowned environmental architect who is deeply committed to energy-conscious architecture, eco-friendly design and community participation in planning. This lodge was built with standards that maximize the positive impacts on the local environment with a minimum ecological footprint, while still providing the ultimate style and comfort.

Lodges are not operational from 1st July onwards till 15th October, as the national parks are closed due to monsoons.


Banjaar Tola consists of two elegant camps - each containing nine tented suites. The lightweight tents have been designed in a contemporary, chic camping style using locally sourced sustainable materials. Each tented suite features bamboo floors, a canvas roof and walls, and glass doors leading out onto a spacious deck overlooking beautiful views of the river. Interiors showcase the rich block-printed cottons and silk handwork that is native to Madhya Pradesh. Woven textiles in shades of bleached saffron, forest greens and earthy cinnamon surround guests in the colours and textures of the region.

Conservation efforts at Banjaar Tola start from the ground up; each suite is set on raised structures, supporting the tent at only seven points on the ground, allowing natural growth and drainage under all the buildings. Instead of conventional electrical units, the tents are designed with double layers of canvas with insulation materials and air gaps to keep them cool. In winter, hot water for the bathroom is piped under the insulated bamboo floor. The eco-friendly air conditioning system uses a reversible cycle to efficiently deliver both cooling and heating. Taj Hotels has reinvented the safari tradition with an earth-friendly experience that’s also unforgettably luxurious.


Dining in Banjaar Tola is as wonderful and exotic as the safari itself. No menu is ever the same and great care has been taken by the chef and the staff to celebrate the unique flavours and styles of the region.

As guests arrive, they are seated in the sitting lounge and served the signature welcome drink and snacks while the Chef introduces himself and enquires as to the dietary preferences or tastes of each guest.

Choose to lunch on a private deck overlooking the river with discreet butler service. Or gather as a group on the beautiful lounge deck where special menus are displayed on the blackboard.

At dinnertime, enjoy a wok style dinner by the poolside, an “Angithi” dinner in the dining room, where guest assists in cooking their meals, or a riverside dinner on Chowkis, which are specially-created decks. Private dining by the tents is always an option as well.

Jungle Banquets are lavish affairs with bullock carts loaded with kitchen treats. Guests will be given shawls to wear and the area will be heated by sigris (traditional coal heaters). Hyderabadi cuisine is featured, with the food cooked in the traditional degs and haandis and sealed with Atta (whole wheat flour dough). Each guest will be presented with their own sealed haandi that will be opened with a flourish, releasing the aroma of the spices. At the end of the meal, the Chef pedals in a dessert cart filled with signature Banjaar Tola sweets served with South Indian coffee.

For the adventurous couple, a special Bush Dinner is available. This intimate dinner would take place in a secluded jungle spot of your choosing. We’ll leave you with a wireless set for communication, so that our butler only has to appear when needed.

Breakfast is served in hot boxes during the morning game drive or as a picnic on the verandah for guests who forego the morning safari.

Kanha is particularly renowned for its thriving population of the highly endangered hardwater barasingha, a species of swamp deer that was brought back from the brink of extinction in the park. These handsome animals are remarkable for their outstanding antlers, with a mature male boasting between ten and fourteen tines on their horns. Unlike the nocturnal sambar deer, in the morning and evening barasingha can be spotted feeding in grassy clearings close to the forests. Their shrill, baying alarm calls often announce the presence of predators.

India Travel advice

With its rusty red coat, white markings and black stripes, the tiger is perhaps the most glamorous jungle animal. A rare species, tigers are highly territorial and solitary. The dense jungle they favour and their exceptional camouflage makes them notoriously difficult to spot. However, a glimpse of this beautiful animal in the wild is a truly rewarding sight. Tigers will only inhabit territory where plenty of prey is found, and prefer to hunt at night, rarely being spotted stalking their prey. During the heat of the Indian day, they may be seen cooling off in pools or rivers and are excellent swimmers.

Dholes in Kanha National Park

Another of Kanha's predators is the Indian wild dog or dhole. While its large, round ears are similar to its African cousin, its colouring is distinct, with a reddish brown back and flanks, and white or ginger neck, chest and belly. Wild dogs are highly social animals, living in organised family groups with a strict social hierarchy. The dominant pair in the pack are usually the sole breeders, although most of the other adults will help feed the young. Pack members bond through playing and mock-fighting, as well as grooming each other. The wild dog's extraordinary vocal range ensures close communication within the pack.

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Banjaar Tola consists of two elegant camps - each containing nine tented suites. The lightweight tents have been designed in a contemporary, chic camping style using locally sourced sustainable materials. Each tented suite features bamboo floors, a canvas roof and walls, and glass doors leading out onto a spacious deck overlooking beautiful views of the river. Interiors showcase the rich block-printed cottons and silk handwork that is native to Madhya Pradesh. * Twin beds on request * Air-conditioning * Ceiling fans * Swimming pool * Indoor showers * Private bathroom * In-room safe * Personal bar * Telephone * Hairdryer * Laundry services * Disabled guest facilities

24 hrs

Banjaar Tola is easily accessed from Delhi via Jabalpur Airport, which is 190 km (118 miles) from the camp. Guests flying in from Mumbai arrive in Nagpur, a distance of 290 km (180 miles) from Banjaar Tola

190-Jabalpur,290-Nagpur

190 kms