In an age of national parks when you have more of a chance of bumping into another jeep on the same safari as you than the wildlife you wanted, Satpura comes as a glowing revelation where you get the peaceful experience in the wilderness you have always yearned for. Spread over an area of 524s square kilometres, it distinguishes itself from other tiger reserves in the country due to its varying methods of wildlife watching. Cruise along in a jeep, clamber on top of an elephant or observe nature from the deck of a boat, the spirit of the jungle.
Nurtured in the Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh, this pristine Park is full of beautiful hilly regions, deep gorges, rivulets, and virgin forest locations adding to the placidity of the area. The Satpura hills do add to the beautiful landscape here. With more 1100 species of flowering plants, the park boasts an extensive biosphere reserve nestled in a mix of moist deciduous, dry deciduous and Central Indian subtropical hill forests. Of course it’d be a crying shame if the diversity in flora is not met by the same in the fauna. Fret not, because Satpura is home to a mind boggling array of wildlife; 50 species of mammals, more than 250 types of birds, 30 reptiles, and to put the icing on it, 50 kinds of butterflies!
Embark on a jungle safari by choosing the kind that really strikes your fancy and immerse yourself in the incredible surrealism of it all. But this is as real as you would ever want it; Satpura is where the wild really comes alive. But beware, the online safari bookings of Satpura open early and you need to be quick if you want a safari on holidays and long weekends.
Wildlife in Satpura
The morning safari lasts a bit longer than the evening safari here in Satpura National Park. After clearing out a few formalities at the gate load yourself into a motorboat as your safari begins with a crossing of the Denwa River along with your guide and driver. On the opposing shore you get to clamber onto the rented eight-seater to trudge along the untamed wilds of the Satpura. With the sunlight just breaking out over the hills, this presents a most opportune time to glimpse spotted deer and blue bull babies with their families. Most animals here are not averse to human presence as they’re frequently fed by the forest officials. An extraordinarily authentic jungle experience filled to the brim with an aggregation of lush flora, amazing avifauna, mammals and reptiles, the drive ends at around 12pm just in time for a rejuvenating lunch.
There are some interesting and unique hotels around Satpura that can cater to your needs, are luxurious and are boutique. untravel recommends the following hotels in Satpura:
Denwa Backwater Escape
The hotel is located overlooking the mesmerizing backwaters of a dam built on Denwa River in Satpura National Park. The area is popularly known as Madhai. It is built on 10 acres of forested land along the river and across the river lies the national park which is approached by a boat and then by jeeps to go deeper into the forest. The lodge offers stunning views of the Denwa River, grasslands and rolling Pachmari hills. The lodge has been mainly built using local materials like stone, baked tiles but the design is contemporary safari style.
The rooms are done up in style with unique leather safari furniture, crisp cotton upholstery, linen and local crafts. The main building and the pool are done up with vintage iron furniture and hand crafted wooden furniture, the wood for which is sourced from old furniture and sleeper wood. There are 8 deluxe river view cottages and 2 river view Tree Houses. The 8 cottages offer a terrace to sleep out which can be done up with mosquito netting on request.
Reni Pani Jungle Lodge
It is an exquisitely designed conservation and wildlife focused lodge located close to the Satpura National Park and Tiger Reserve. It’s spread over 30 acres of striking forest cover typical of the Satpuras’. The camp-site features magnificent trees, a sprawling meadow, a seasonal nullah, uneven yet beautiful topography and water holes that attract several species of birds and animals.
Reni Pani Jungle Lodge gets its interesting name from a neighbouring tribal village. Reni Pani features twelve luxury cottages encompassing three distinct architectural designs, a cosy central meeting place called the GolGhar and a jungle pool located along its seasonal nullah. The nallah units, the forest units and the hill units are all built using local / indigenous material and are characterized by viewing decks, large lounging bay-windows and luxury bathrooms. The ‘GolGhar’ or the meeting place, has a fascinating and unique design and features a dining area, a bar, a library and a lounge set in its various corners. The lodge is an impeccable blend of simplistic luxury and true contemporary wilderness. The guests are offered both Indian and Continental choices in menu.
Forsyth’s Lodge
It is a wildlife lodge set in 44 acres of reclaimed jungle at the edge of the Satpura Tiger Reserve. Forsyth’s consists of 12 independent cottages built in an arc around the lodge building. The lodge is a two-storey building that opens out on to stunning vistas of the hills while the cottages are built to offer unique vantage points into the landscape. The main building holds spacious dining areas, a well-appointed library devoted to Indian wildlife, a lounge, several fireplaces and the Forsyth Bar. The lodge is a rammed-earth structure while the cottages are built out of cob. Both are ecologically responsible ways of building that blend with local architecture and go a long way towards moderating temperatures through the variations of summer and winter. There is a restaurant, a terrace Bar and a swimming pool.
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