Bandhavgarh wildlife holiday, India

This tour supports Global Tiger Trust and Travel operators for tigers. We keep USD 25 in each file and remitted by our foreign counterpart to TOFT. The Travel operators for Tigers campaign (TOFT) is a travel industry platform, in cooperation with Global Tiger Patrol, that aims to advocate and support a more responsible and sustainable approach to tourism in South Asia’s wildlife reserves, together with aiding specific conservation programmes which benefits the local communities and wildlife.

Tour will also have direct funding (by paying Entrance Fee for Park) for wildlife research efforts and funding to support recent community conservation efforts on the buffers of the Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park

Across the tour, our hotels are always local, transport often public and the unique one-to-one style interactions with real people are endless. Accommodations used by us have employed local village people and use local jeeps for transportation. We always try to accommodate overnight in small family run hotels, use local guides. We use services of our local agents on this trip. Local guides are used by us who are approved from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Properties used by us are Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge and Kanha Jungle Lodge are also members of the international organisation TOFT - "The Travel Operators for Tigers" who are committed to advocate and encourage more sustainable wildlife tourism in tiger reserves and national parks, and to adhere to eco tourism best practice guidelines.

Both Lodges are based on a unique theme of an Indian Village. It is tastefully developed with low impact on the land and the environment. It is set on strong principles of being environmentally friendly and every aspect of its development and operation is sensitively synthesized towards nature conservation.

Both the Lodges try to increase dependence on the direct energy sources wherein they try to use the power of sun god to provide the energy and help save the World’s natural environment. Hot water system comes out of the two efficient solar water heaters which provides reliable and enough supply. Some part of the cooking for Guest is done in two different types of Solar cookers. This helps minimize energy use and also food cooked is healthy and tasty. Guest can also ask for cooking lessons for solar cooking. To make efficient and hygienic disposal of organic waste, they are using a process of decomposition by worms which is efficient, odourless and provides with rich organic fertilizers for organic farming on site. Much of fresh vegetables come from the organic farming at both the Lodges. One can see a variety of vegetables and fruits being cultivated. Guests are welcome to take a tour.

When on safari we use non-diesel vehicles and always try to promote petrol driven vehicles in the park. We advise our clients in advance not to carry any eatables during safari and do not encourage clients to offer any eatables etc., to wildlife animals during their safari. No illegal routes in the park are used by us, whatever routes/times which are specified by the Park authorities are strictly adhered to by us.

During the school visit, cultural programmes are organised by the school children by way of dances, music etc, and interaction can be done with local people. Visitors can also participate in their activities/games/cultural programmes. Guests do donate to the school in various ways such as money, products/goods for children, lump sum amount for the welfare of the school, equipments etc.