good for you

The creation of naturalist Jehan Bhujwala and his English wife Katie, the Shergarh Tented Camp is the ideal place to tackle a tiger safari without having to rough it. Located on the southern edge of the Kanha Tiger Reserve in a wooded grove overlooking a lake, this is luxury camping at its best.

There are just six tents spaced well apart to ensure maximum privacy and each comes with its own spacious front veranda and ensuite bathroom with piping hot showers. The tents all house comfortable beds and have additional homely pieces such as wooden side tables and brass lamps. Thatched roofs cover each tent and are watered in the hot months to ease rising temperatures.

The owners pride themselves on offering a personalised and specialised wildlife experience to guests and visitors to the camp are made to feel like they're part of the family. It's low-key and friendly, and a fantastic way to experience India's vast and varied wildlife.

good for india

The Kanha Tiger Reserve provides employment to many local families and Jehan and Katie are gaining local support for park protection by demonstrating its economic and social benefits. They encourage guests to interact with locals and park guides and support a local association that provides warm clothing and help with medical expenses for park employees. If you wish to contribute, Katie and Jehan can help you do so.

At Shergarh, guests are encouraged to conserve water and to bring minimal plastic products with them to the camp as these are difficult to dispose of. The recycling industry is in nascent stages in India and plastic is a major pollutant. Shergarh are also committed to educating local people about waste in the environment.

Rooms

Food

Wholesome Indian and Continental food prepared from home-grown vegetables, local produce and fish farmed from the lake is served in the Main House. Surrounded by deep verandas, the house serves as a central meeting point to dine, exchange stories around an open fire, or to relax quietly with a book from the library.

All meals are included in the rates.

Features & Facilities

• Tented accommodation
• Full restaurant Service
• Full range of activities and tours organised from the camp
• Library
• Ensuite bathrooms
• Full board accommodation including activities.

See Local Info for more on activities in the area.

Local Info & Activities

The main reason that folk come to Shergarh Tented Camp is to visit the Kanha Tiger Reserve but there are a multitude of other activities on offer to keep you busy. Many activities and daily safaris are included in the full board rates. The ‘Jungle Plan’ package includes two game drives per day, elephant rides to see tiger (where available), nature walks and village/ market trips.

Kanha Tiger Reserve Kanha lies in the Maikal hills east of the Satpura range, in an elevation range 450-950m (1480-2950ft). Over 100 tigers roam the 940sq km of parkland in addition to wild dog, leopards, Indian bison (the world's largest cattle), wild boar, jackal, three antelope species and more.

Today Kanha is at the forefront of efforts to save the tiger and its habitat. Part of the Project Tiger programme, involved the relocation of 27 villagers outside of the core area. It is now of prime importance to work fairly with the local people to protect the tiger. This will ultimately preserve the entire eco-system that still thrives in Kanha.

Kanha opens twice daily to visitors. Local guides accompany game drives and are provided upon entrance. Jeeps are free to follow their own route along tracks, using pugmarks and alarm calls as indicators of a nearby predator. Every morning, three ranges of elephants and their mahouts are tracking such indicators for tigers. If they are successful, visitors may have the opportunity to view tiger from elephant back.

Bird Watching The camp can organise early morning bird walks for guests. Over 220 species of birds live in the reserve including racket-tailed drongos, bee-eaters, crested serpent and hawk eagles, shikras and flycatchers.

Cycling Cycle through the forest for a swim in the Banjar River followed by afternoon tea on the rocks.

Local Villages Visit a local village on market day for the chance to experience traditional trading and bustling rural life.

Shergarh also offer pre-dinner slide shows on Kanha's wildlife and people and have an abundance of local literature.

insider tip/s

Shergarh is open November to May. November is when the Kanha is at its most green and lush with pleasant temperatures but cool mornings. Witness spectacular morning mists in December and January and very chilly mornings (bring lots of layers!). From February to March Kanah is in bloom and the changing colours are beautiful. The mornings are cool but the afternoons can get very hot. April and May are hot and the dry forest makes wildlife sighting easier.

Due to daily fluctuations in temperatures and climate it's recommended that you bring sun protection and waterproofs. It's also worth bringing binoculars and camera film, natural coloured clothing for game drives and bird watching and any medications that you may require.

Owing to the region being a Malaria area it is recommended that guests take anti-malarial tablets and bring a bug repellent spray with them.

As Kanha has a strong traditional and cultural identity, guests are asked to dress with sensitivity. Women should avoid low-cut tops and shorts/ skirts high above the knee, and men should not wander topless.

There is no money exchange facility available here and Shergarh does not accept credit cards. The nearest facilities are in Nagpur and Jabalpur.

Sustainability

Shergarh is committed to environmental and social responsibility.

The Kanha Tiger Reserve provides employment to many local families and Jehan and Katie are gaining local support for park protection by demonstrating its economic and social benefits.

Guests are asked to help conserve water by taking short showers, turning off taps whilst brushing teeth, reporting leaks immediately.

Dealing with waste is difficult to manage in the remote jungle. Shergarh have been making every effort to reduce their use of plastic, and encouraging suppliers to do the same. They advise guests to bring minimal plastic products, and take any plastic waste away until it can be disposed of safely, ideally recycled.

Unfortunately the recycling industry in India is poorly developed, and plastic rots on the edge of towns for many years - often amongst inhabitants of poor areas. If guests are coming from abroad they are asked to take their plastic waste to where it can be disposed of effectively.

Bottled drinking water is often the biggest contributor to an individual's plastic waste during a holiday. Shergarh strongly advise guests to drink filtered water wherever safely available, or to carry a personal filtration system. Shergarh treat all of their water with a UV filtration system.

Shergarh encourage guests to interact with locals and can help visitors learn a few basic words. Shergarh support a local association that was established by park guides to provide warm clothing and help with medical expenses for park employees. Shergarh encourages guests to contribute to the association if they are happy with their game drive of the reserve.

Getting There

Shergarh Tented Camp is located in the tribal heartland of Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Journeys wind through charming rural villages and spectacular forest as one approaches Kanha Tiger Reserve.

The quickest way to get to the camp is from Nagpur; a 5-6 hour drive to Shergarh. Nagpur is well connected by rail with most major cities.

The closest train station is Gondia Junction followed by a 3 hour drive. Other nearby rail connections are Jabalpur (5 hours), Bilaspur (6 hours), Raipur and Nagpur. All stations are well connected with major cities.

Car journey times between local popular destinations are Pench Tiger Reserve (4 hours), Bandavgarh Tiger Reserve (6 to 7 hours) and Kawarda Palace (3 hours).

Transfers from the airport and railway stations can be organised.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

non peak season

15th Oct to 2nd Nov, 16th Nov – 21st Dec, 6th Jan – 18th Mar, 26th Mar to 10th May

Single Tent: Rupees 12,000 / US$300 p/night:

Double Tent: Rupees 19,000 / US$460 p/night

peak season

3rd – 15th Nov, 22nd to 24th Dec, 26th Dec to 5th Jan, 19th to 25th Mar.

Single Tent: Rupees 14,000 / US$350 p/night:

Double Tent: Rupees 23,000/ US$570 p/night

christmas day – 25th dec

Single Tent: Rupees 15,500 / US$380 p/night:

Double Tent: Rupees 26,000 / US$650 p/night

• All rates are based on an the all-inclusive ‘Jungle Plan’ package of tented accommodation,

all meals and safari activities. Safari activities include two game drives per day, elephant rides to see tiger (where available), nature walks and village/ market trips. Still cameras are included for your use.

• Rates include all taxes.

• Game Drive on Morning of Departure = Rs 500/- (not applicable for guests missing afternoon game drive on day of arrival)
• Packed Lunch or Dinner (regular lunch or dinner is included) = Rs 300/- per meal
• Exclusive Vehicle Hire = Rs 2500/- per vehicle per day
• Video Camera Fees = Rs 250/- per camera per excursion
• Additional Elephant Rides = Rs 600/- per ride
• Bar and Laundry Items

booking & cancellation policy

• A deposit of 20% must be made to confirm the booking.
• Full payment must be made 45 days prior to arrival.
• Cancellations made at any time up until 30 days prior to guest arrival will result in a cancellation fee of 10%
• Cancellations made up to 15 days prior to arrival will result in a cancellation fee of 60% being charged.
• Cancellations made under 15 days prior to arrival will be charged at full rate.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.