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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
Pakistan
Flame of the Forest is an intimate and boutique safari lodge, nestled in a 10-acre campus along the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Built in traditional style with the use of local materials and plastered with gober (a mix of cow dung with mud and water). It is a project of a husband and wife team, Karan an ex-naturalist with the Taj Safaris group and his Swiss wife Isabelle who shared a common dream to learn from the indigenous people and live in nature responsibly.
Situated next to the Banjar River, the Flame of the Forest has just four luxurious cottages. All are spacious in size and minimally furnished in traditional style with open verandas offering views over the river where monkeys and deer often come to drink. The main house has a sitting area and an elegant dining hall where delicious Indian and some favourite western dishes are served. There is also a comfortable lounge on a sandy patch near BBQ joint and a cabana lounge beside the river.
Guests come to stay at Flame of the Forest lodge, primarily to have a wildlife experience at the Kanha National Park. This purpose-built property has been deliberately kept small so they can provide a personalised experience. Karan ensures that each wildlife experience is tailored to every guest’s individual requirement, while Isabelle ensures that you have all the services expected of a luxury hotel. Kanha National Park is open only from October through until June.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubBusiness CentreCoffee ShopConciergeMultilingual StaffRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableYoga Classes/Instruction On SiteStay Flame of the Forest offers just four exclusive cottages. Each are built in the local traditional style using mud and thatch and come with a private sit-out, overlooking the river. Indoors, are high open-beamed ceiling with comfortable beds and traditional style furniture. Each cottage has its own machan or covered day bed, ideal for relaxing between game drives. Spacious en-suite bathrooms come with a shower and twin vanities opening out onto an al fresco bath.
ChildCare Families with children are very welcome to stay at Flame of the Forest. However, there are no specific facilities available for children. Babysitting service can be arranged, on request.
Dine Meals at the Flame of the Forest are served in a variety of locations around the lodge, out in the bush or on the riverbed. Breakfast is a mix of Indian and continental foods and usually taken with you on the road as drives are done quite early in the morning. Lunch is usually a mix of salads with light Indian dishes. Dinner is candle-lit, either in the elegant dining hall or in the garden. The house chef uses locally sourced ingredients most of which are grown within their own garden.
Relax Facilities at Flame of the Forest include the Ayurvedic spa offering a range of relaxing oil massages. There is also an open hall with some stunning views where you can practise yoga with Isabelle who is a qualified teacher. There is also a handicrafts shop selling products created by local women as part of the resort's HATHI social enterprise campaign and the lodge is also actively involved in education within the local school, meaning you can get a unique insight into the lives of the tribal people.
Experience Guests at the Flame of the Forest lodge will have options for both morning and afternoon wildlife safaris to Kanha National Park with over 22 species of mammals and 220 species of birds. In between the safaris, you will have culture walks through the village and nature walks, accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced guide. During the game drives, you are likely to see the infamous Bengal tiger, sloth bear, Indian wild dogs, the elusive leopards and the Hard Ground Barasingha.
Location Nestled in a 10-acre campus in Kanha National Park, situated close to Khatia/Kisli Gate, the entry point to the reserve.
Getting there 8-hour flight to Delhi International Airport, followed by a 2-hour flight to Jabalpur. The road journey from Jabalpur Airport to Flame of the Forest lasts approximately 3-hours.
When to go Lodge is closed from 1st July till 15th October, as the national parks are closed due to monsoons. Tropical climate- hot during the day. Summer (April-June) temperatures can get as high as 43-44°C, while early mornings and evenings are pleasant (18-24°C). Night time winter temperatures vary between 02-20°C, whereas days are sunny and pleasant (October-March). Rainfall is heavy in the monsoon season (mid June to September) and average rainfall is 1400 mm. The best time to travel is November to April.
Destination
Wildlife Parks, India
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May 04 - 19, May 19, 2025
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