Mahua Kothi
Boasting one of India’s highest density of tigers, Bandhavgarh is one of the subcontinent’s best places for big cat viewing. Named after a beautiful native tree, Mahua Kothi offers luxury accommodation in 12 charming guest suites – built in traditional style – spread over 40 private acres just 20 minutes from the national park entrance.
Designed to look like traditional village huts (called “kutiyas”) from the outside, each of the suites at Mahua Kothi features rustic construction. Expect mud-and-stone walls finished in lime, wooden shutters on windows and locally handcrafted textiles in shades of rust. Yet all have contemporary luxuries such as twin hand basins in the bathrooms, ceiling fans and air-conditioning.
Spend your time here practising yoga – a basket of equipment is provided in-room complete with instructions. For fresh air, bicycles are available for use in your private courtyard. You can also enjoy a dip in the pool, depart on an open vehicle safari through Bandhavgarh or embark on an informative nature walk with the resident naturalist. For an insight into rural local life, tour a tiny tribal village, which Mahua Kothi supports through community development initiatives.
Location
How to get to Mahua Kothi
Guests can fly into Khajuraho airport, and then transfer by road to Mahua Kothi via Satna, a journey of around 6 hours. Alternatively, they can fly or travel by train to Gwalior, and then take a combination of rail and road transfers to the lodge.
Activities at Mahua Kothi
- Tiger safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park
- Guided nature walks
- Village visit
- Yoga
- Cycling
*Some activities are available at extra cost.
Mahua Kothi Highlights
- A handsome boutique lodge located just outside Bandhavgarh National Park
- Ideally located for daily Bengal tiger safaris
- Go on nature walks with an experienced naturalist
- Tour a local village and explore lodge grounds by bicycle
- Retire each night to a beautiful suite built with natural materials
Featured
Accommodation
Below are a selection of our preferred lodges in some of India’s premier wildlife reserves. Please contact us to tailor accommodation options to suit the style of your trip and your budget.
Bandhavgarh – Bandhav Vilas
Bandhav Vilas offers charming, villa-style accommodation close to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the best places in India to view the Bengal tiger.
Bandhavgarh – Mahua Kothi
Mahua Kothi offers luxury accommodation minutes from the entrance to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the best places in India to view the majestic Bengal tiger.
Bandhavgarh – Samode Safari Lodge
The Relais & Chateaux Samode Safari Lodge offers total luxury at the edge of Bandhavgarh National Park, home to the Bengal tiger and many other species.
Banjaar Tola
Banjaar Tola offers the style and atmosphere of an African luxury safari camp, at the edge of Kanha National Park, one of India's finest tiger reserves.
Diphlu River Lodge
Eco-friendly Diphlu River Lodge is just outside Kaziranga National Park, renowned for rare one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers.
Jamtara Wilderness Camp
Jamtara Wilderness Camp is a lovely tented camp at the edge of Pench National Park, the evocative setting for Rudyard Kipling's classic novel, The Jungle Book.
Jawai Bandh
Jawai Bandh is a splendid Relais & Châteaux luxury tented camp set in untrammelled wilderness where leopards still roam free.
Jim’s Jungle Retreat
Jim's Jungle Retreat lies in lush Himalayan foothills within India's scenic Corbett National Park, best known for its magnificent Bengal tigers.
The Birder’s Inn
The Birder's Inn is the perfect base for bird-watching in India's wonderful Keoladeo Ghana National Park which boasts over 350 avian species.
The Gateway Hotel
The Gateway Hotel Gir Forest offers smart, modern accommodation at the edge of a dense wilderness inhabited by the planet's last remaining Asiatic lions.
The Oberoi Vanyavilas
The Oberoi Vanyavilas offers absolute luxury at the edge of Ranthambore National Park, India's most famous Bengal tiger reserve.
Vivanta by Taj
Set within a charming art deco lodge formerly used by the Maharaja of Jaipur, Vivanta by Taj, Ranthambore is an ideal base for exploring India's finest tiger reserve.
India Wildlife Safaris and Tours Overview
Why India Wildlife Reserves Safaris & Tours: India’s wildlife reserves are a haven for many remarkable and endangered creatures like tiger, rhino, leopard and sloth bear. A wildlife safari combines beautifully with India’s cultural highlights.
When to Go:
Bandhavgarh National Park: Feb – May is the best time for gameviewing; the park is closed from early Jul to end Oct.
Corbett National Park: The best time for tiger viewing is the dry months of Apr – mid Jun, when wildlife come out in search of water. The best birdwatching is between Dec – Feb.
Ranthambhore National Park: The best time to go is in winter (Dec – Feb) and Mar/Apr. The park is closed during the monsoon; it reopens on 1 Oct.
Kanha National Park: Best time to visit is Mar – Jun. Park closed during monsoon from beginning Jul – Oct. Also closed midday to give respite to wildlife.
Kaziranga National Park: Best visited from mid-November to early April. The low-lying grasslands are flooded during the monsoon. During the floods, the animals migrate to higher, drier ground.
Periyar and Nagarhole National Parks: The best time to go is in the cool dry months (Oct- Feb) and during the hotter months of Mar/Apr for elephant viewing. The park is open during the monsoon period (June – Sep); but it is not the best season for spotting game.
Combine With: Safaris to India’s wildlife reserves are usually part of a general sightseeing itinerary which include India’s many cultural and historic attractions. They can also be combined with the wildlife parks of neighouring Nepal, Bhutan or Sri Lanka.
Getting There: The national parks of northern India can be accessed from major cities such as Delhi, Jaipur and Guwahati (Kaziranga). In South India, Periyar and Nagarhole/Kabini can be reached from Kochi, usually as part of an overland itinerary.