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Kipling Camp, Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India

Highly Recommended

Kanha National Park is one of the largest game parks in India and comprises rolling hills, together with open meadows, sal and bamboo forest and grassy plateaus.  It is home to an enormous variety of birds and wildlife and in 1973 was designated an official tiger reserve under the auspices of Project Tiger.  Situated in the buffer zone of the Park is the delightful Kipling Camp, the first permanent wildlife camp for tourists, which was established in 1982 by the late Bob Wright OBE.  Bob originally designed the Camp as a place for his friends and family to unwind and escape the stresses of Indian city high-life.  Its atmosphere was one of a "house party" and this same ethos still prevails today, making the Camp one of the finest and most atmospheric in Kanha. 

Days are spent on safari drives, whilst nights are spent relaxing around a Camp fire, listening out for the night calls of the surrounding wildlife.  Kipling Camp is also home to the much loved Tara, probably India's most famous elephant as a result of having been immortalised in Mark Shand's book "Travels on my Elephant".  Guests staying at the Camp have the unique opportunity to participate in Tara's daily bath.  The camp owns its own vehicles and has two knowledgeable naturalists who accompany guests in the park.  The long-standing and hugely caring staff at the Camp are one of its main attractions.  The Camp has no barriers separating it from the National Park and consequently receives regular visits from spotted deer and langur monkeys, enjoying a quick drink at the water holes.  Jackals, wolves and even leopards occasionally pad by.

Accommodation is in cottage rooms (2, 3 or 4 rooms per cottage) scattered around the wooded premises and all have en suite bathrooms.  The rooms are simply but comfortably decorated, in keeping with the local ‘jungle’ environment.  Guests can choose to relax on their private verandah or in the Shamiana, which forms the heart of the Camp, and which houses the well-stocked library and bar.  Whilst here, everyone eats dinner together, either in the Shamiana or al fresco, ensuring the 'house party' atmosphere lives on.

No. of rooms	18
Air/Con	No, but fans and air coolers.  Heaters provided in winter.
Dining	Yes
Style	Rustic house party
Children	Yes
Transfer	6 hours from Nagpur airport or railway station 3 hours from Jabalpur railway station
Price Range per person per night	From £70 pppn, including full board and game activities
Activities	Game drives, elephant rides, nature walks, bird watching.  Bathing Tara the elephant.  Visits to local tribal villages and traditional markets.  Picnics.  Volleyball court.