If you’re looking for a safari that feels truly immersive—not just about sightings but about the jungle itself—Kanha delivers in a way few places do.
After experiencing multiple national parks, this stay at Banjaar Tola felt like stepping deeper into the wild—more dense, more raw, and more connected to nature.
Getting There: A Scenic Yet Manageable Journey
Kanha is about a 4–5 hour drive from Jabalpur airport, and the journey itself sets the tone for what’s coming.
The drive constantly changes:
- Stretch of lush green forests with tall trees
- Small village clusters with mud houses
- Quiet roads that slowly disconnect you from city life
It never felt tiring, even with kids—it felt like a gradual entry into the jungle.
First Impressions: Entering a Forest, Not a Resort
Banjaar Tola is located in the buffer zone of Kanha National Park, but the moment you enter, it doesn’t feel like you’re “near” the jungle—you feel inside it.
From the main gate, it takes about 5 minutes through a forest-like pathway to reach the reception.
That short drive itself sets expectations:
👉 This isn’t a typical luxury resort. It’s a jungle experience with comfort built into it.
Stay Experience: Living in the Middle of the Jungle
The property is divided into:
- East Wing (where we stayed)
- West Wing (said to have higher chances of animal sightings)
Each wing has just 9 tents, which keeps the place quiet and exclusive.
These aren’t basic tents—they’re:
- Massive, well-structured
- Built on a raised wooden platform
- Surrounded by forest on all sides
The walkways are made of gravel stones, and every walk—whether to dining or your room—feels like you’re moving through the jungle.
The Rooms: Raw Outside, Comfortable Inside
The tents strike a perfect balance between rustic and luxurious.
- A huge glass front opening to a private deck
- Views of trees, open land, and even water bodies
- Natural materials and earthy tones that blend into the surroundings
- A beautiful bathtub experience
What stands out most is:
👉 You never feel separated from nature—even inside the room.
Common Areas: Where the Jungle Comes to You
Each wing has a shared space with:
- Indoor + outdoor dining
- A deck overlooking jungle and river views
This becomes the heart of the property—especially during:
- Hi-tea time, when guests return from safaris and share sightings
- Slow mornings with uninterrupted views of greenery
Food Experience: Comforting, Fresh, and Thoughtfully Curated
Dining at Banjaar Tola, Kanha National Park, A Taj Safari is less about overwhelming variety and more about quality, freshness, and comfort—especially important when traveling with kids.
Breakfasts here were surprisingly elaborate.
You get a mix of:
- Indian options like idli, poha, dosas, uttapam, and parathas made fresh on order
- A full English spread with eggs and omelettes made to order, cereals, bread, butter, jams, and fresh fruits
It never felt repetitive, and the made-to-order element added a nice personalized touch.
Lunch and dinner follow a more limited but well-balanced menu, which makes sense given the small number of guests.
Typically, meals included:
- 2-3 vegetable preparations
- Dal
- Rice
- Roti varieties
- Sides like papad, curd/raita, and pickles
What really stood out, though, was the desserts.
They weren’t just standard hotel sweets—there was creativity involved.
One memorable highlight for us was the beetroot halwa, which was both unique and surprisingly delicious.
Another big plus for families:
👉 The staff is extremely accommodating.
Whenever needed, they were happy to prepare simple, kid-friendly food like mashed potatoes or french fries, which made meals stress-free.
Overall, the food here isn’t about indulgent buffets—it’s about:
👉 warm, reliable meals in a remote jungle setting, with just the right amount of flexibility and care
A small but meaningful moment:
👉 The staff packed idlis and cookies for your kids on request—this kind of flexibility makes a big difference for families.
A Typical Day at Banjaar Tola
Here’s how our stay naturally flowed:
Day 1:
- Arrival → Lunch → Rest
- Exploring the tent
- Hi-tea + hearing safari stories from other guests
- Quiet evening on your private deck
- Dinner under the jungle sky
Day 2:
- Morning tea in the room
- Slow, peaceful start with jungle views
- Breakfast in outdoor dining
- Pool time (beautiful setting, but yes—very cold water)
- Lunch → Afternoon safari
- Dinner and early rest
Day 3:
- Relaxed morning
- Bath time + enjoying the room with kids
- Breakfast + packed snacks for the journey
The Safari Experience: Beautiful, Even Without Sightings
This is where Kanha really stands apart.
The forest here is:
- Dense
- Filled with tall trees and broad leaves
- Visually stunning at every turn
Unlike Bandhavgarh (which is known for sightings), Kanha is:
👉 About the experience of the jungle itself
Even though we didn’t spot major wildlife:
- We saw langoors, birds, spotted deer
- And more importantly, experienced 3 hours of pure, uninterrupted forest beauty
One key reality (important for readers):
👉 The density makes spotting animals harder—but also makes the jungle feel more alive and authentic.
Safety & Jungle Reality
Just like Panna:
- Guests are advised not to roam alone at night
- Wildlife movement around the property is real
This isn’t a downside—it’s what makes the experience genuine.
What Kids Will Love
- Open spaces and natural surroundings
- Pool time (even if brief because of cold water)
- Watching animals and birds around the property
- Freedom to explore safely during the day
And honestly:
👉 The room itself becomes part of the experience for them.
Kanha vs Other Safaris (Quick Perspective)
- Kanha → Dense, immersive, visually stunning
- Panna → More relaxed, open, slower experience
- Bandhavgarh → Higher chances of tiger sightings
Kanha sits right in the middle:
👉 Not just about sightings, not just about relaxation—a complete jungle experience
Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Kanha
Choose Kanha if you want:
- A deeper connection with the forest, not just wildlife spotting
- A balanced safari experience with kids
- A stay that feels authentic, peaceful, yet engaging
Skip it if:
- Your only goal is tiger sightings
Closing Thought
Kanha may not always give you dramatic sightings—but it gives you something more lasting:
👉 The feeling of being completely surrounded by the jungle, where every moment—even the quiet ones—feels meaningful.