The call of the wild is irresistible to some and my family members belong to those ‘some’. We live in Tiger Country and are surrounded by beautiful forest reserves inhabited with a variety of wild animals. Our ideal Yatra is driving down, kids and all, and re-living the magic of the jungle. This particular trip to Jungle Book territory – Pench – was made memorable by a specialty resort that we couldn’t have enough of. Follow my family weekend trip through my photos and be prepared for an image intensive post today!
Driving to Pench with kids is not a new thing for us. We do it very often. In fact, Pench ties with Goa when it comes to my favorite rejuvenating destinations in India. The jungles of Seoni – now made even more popular by the Disney Movie Jungle Book – are a perfect weekend getaway from many cities including Nagpur and Jabalpur. Nagpur is the nearest airport and is well connected to the major cities of India through Indigo Airlines. The destination is also very popular with international tourists who choose from International Flights to Mumbai or Delhi and then proceed to Nagpur.
As always, our travel plans begin with Trip Advisor and we were thrilled to find a new property high on the charts – Pench Jungle Camp. The kids couldn’t contain their excitement for a chance to go camping and neither could we. We finalized one of the ‘tents’ and were off to explore both the jungle and the tents. The journey is half the fun, they say and it couldn’t be truer for road trips.
The picturesque road leading from Nagpur to Pench
The thrill begins on the road to Pench – we spot a Monkey!
An hour and a half of driving on beautiful roads brought us to the Pench Tiger Reserve.
The turn for ‘Pench Tiger Reserve’ at Seoni
Towards the Resort – Roads within the Pench Tiger Reserve
In another 10 minutes we reached our home for the next two days.
We are there!
Despite browsing pictures on the internet, nothing could have prepared us for the experience. The owner/manager were very friendly and the kids were immediately at home as they were led to check out the rabbit hutch.
The beautiful Reception Lobby
Pench Jungle Camp and White House Glamping have taken camping to a whole new level and I was suddenly reminded of the latest buzz word I had seen trending on travel sites – Glamping! Glamourous camping – thar’s what it is. From the beautiful tents brought in from Corbett to the luxurious bathrooms (which were build of solid concrete), it was clearly ‘Jungle me Mangal’ for us.
The tents were beautiful to look at, from the outside. Each at a substantial distance from the other for complete privacy.
Inside the tents were all possible amenities you could imagine!
Inside the Luxurious Tents at Pench Jungle Camp
The resort is mostly self-sustainable and the electricity is powered by Solar energy.
Beautiful bathrooms in the tents at Pench Jungle Camp
After a delicious lunch, we spent a leisurely day exploring all that the place had to offer.
Clockwise from Top: The Sitting Lounge, Library, Dinner Hall and Entrance to Spa
My little badminton enthusiast quickly spotted the court and the staff was happy to oblige us with a pair of racquets and a shuttlecock. The kids also enjoyed swimming in the middle of the jungle, bicycling and tiring themselves out on the trampoline.
We had an early dinner and walked through the beautifully lit jungle camp towards our tents. After the kids were put to bed, we indulged in some star gazing before retiring early for a very early morning jungle safari that the hotel had taken care of, for us.
The resort is beautifully lit up at night with solar powered lamps lighting the paths
Our tent at night
Early next morning, the staff wished us with a wake up call, coffee and chocolate milk for the kids. And we left for our jungle safari.
And as if the mesmerizing jungle isn’t enough, trained eyes start spotting movements in the bushes. Within minutes, even my 4 year old could start pointing out deer and monkeys while we pointed out to him many more birds and animals including the prize – the Tiger!
The majestic Tiger, Langurs, Jackals, Neel Gai, Spotted Deer and Sambar Deer
Beautiful Birds spotted at Pench Tiger Reserve
I am trying to limit the number of photos in this post, but really – have you ever seen a group of vultures fanning their wings? I hadn’t before now! Look at that wing span!
Vultures Fanning their Wing at Pench Tiger Reserve India
But the pleasant surprises from our hosts at the resort were not exhausted yet. The promised ‘packed breakfast’ was a superbly packed treat and it was a magical experience having breakfast in the middle of the jungle!
Breakfast in the Jungle at Pench Tiger Reserve
Back from a very fulfilling trip inside the jungle, we stopped to see the exhibit and grab some snapbacks from the souvenir shop.
Pench Tiger Reserve Exhibit and Souvenir Shop – They even had clothes by ‘Do You Speak Green’…Love that brand!
Back at the camp, we had another sumptous lunch, a quick nap and said goodbye to the lovely place. That we will be back again to Pench is not a question at all, but we surely have found ourselves a gem of a kid-friendly place to enjoy Pench even more. I cannot wait to be back! And the kids? They are spoilt, to say the least. It will take generous doses of real camping to teach them what the word means…LOL.
I think you people had great time there.Well.. am looking forward for such a trip and thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for the share, how old were the kids?
Mine is 5 I don’t know if it’s posible to visit the Park
I have been visiting since I had A 6 month old! At 2 to 3, they start spotting monkeys and deer. Just carry mosquito repellent if you plan to spend time by the pool.