#BloggerContest: Indulging My Childhood Fantasy at Pench Tree Lodge

Staying in a tree house is probably one of those universal fantasies that everyone harbours at some point or the other. When thinking of a tree house, a quaint picture of living with bare necessities in a makeshift playhouse perilously perched in the braches first pops into mind; but Pugdundee’s Pench Tree Lodge is here to turn that vision on its head. It efficiently blends understated luxury with the thrill of wilderness. This unique experience in Kipling country is not for the faint of the heart though. Secluded and serene, Pench Tree Lodge offers a close brush with the secrets of the jungle through six well-appointed tree houses, sparsely spread in a 16-hectare forested area, in the underdeveloped zone of Karmajhiri side of Pench National Park.

The Tree House Experience

Each air-conditioned tree house is nestled under Madhya Pradesh’s trademark Mahua tree with an outdoor deck that opens into the tree’s gorgeous branches. Accessed by a flight of stairs the wooden tree house gently sways whenever the wind picks up. Keeping in tune with the earthiness of surroundings, the decor of the tree house interiors is light and functional but never compromises on comfort. An unobstructed view of the foliage outside is offered wherever possible. Aided by huge glass doors and windows, only a glass pane separates you and the wilderness if you so wish.

Days here start with a cacophony of birdcalls and end with fireflies bidding a flashy goodnight. The grasslands that are purposely undisturbed grow wild on the premises giving an authentic feel of being in close proximity to a jungle. Nights at the tree house can get claustrophobic considering you are not allowed to wander out unaccompanied after dark. Using only lanterns to illuminate the path after dark and without another artificial light source in sight, Pench Tree Lodge admirably takes its ecolodge tag very seriously!

Food and Facilities

The six tree houses are circularly spread out around the main building that serves as a dining cum common area. Also built around Mahua tree, a motif that repeats itself across the property, an inviting swimming pool on the lower deck and an earthy lounge area with glass walls and open decks on the first floor offer guests a great place to soak in the pleasures of nature. The chefs whip up a mix of Indian and Continental food with great care but it’s the local fare that comes highly recommended for its novelty and deliciousness.

Encounters with Wild Things

Given that Pench Tree Lodge is smack dab in the middle of nowhere in an underdeveloped zone and is built in a way to be as non-intrusive as possible, wildlife isn’t far away here. From Civet cats on your doorstep to Golden Orioles in the verandah, wild creatures are lurking just around the corner. For bigger sightings, Pench National Parks’ Karmajhiri gate is just 6 kilometers away and is much less crowded than the more famous Turia gate on the other side of the park. In the forest, a magnificent Tigress that goes by the name of Collarwali, and her cubs offer quite a show to the lucky ones.

What You Cannot Miss

A candlelit bush camp dinner beneath a towering Mahua tree lit up with several lanterns, surrounded by open grasslands under starlit skies accompanied by the jungle’s silent song is an experience for keeps. The more adventurous of the culinary connoisseurs could also request a sip of the potent local liquor made from the flowers of Mahua tree.

Getting Here: Pench Tree Lodge is located near Sarrahiri village in the Karmajhiri zone and can be easily accessed via a 3-hour road journey from Nagpur airport

Book your Pench Holiday Now!