Pugdundee Safaris co-founders Manav Khanduja and Shyamendra Singhare started this project in the year 1986 by pitching a few tents in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna National Park due to their attachment and love for nature and today it is not one or two, but Pugdundee Safaris Camp. They are built in the middle of forests at 7 different places like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Two friends from Uttarakhand have built five beautiful mud houses and tree houses on the outskirts of the dense forest of Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This area is also known to be the home of Royal Bengal Tigers, White Tigers, Leopards and Deer. One can also spot wild animals and birds in the reserve forest from here.
Coming from the field of environment and hospitality, Manav Khanduja and Shyamendra Singhare started ‘Trail Safaris’ in 1986 out of their passion and love for nature. Today, there are not one or two trail safari camps, but seven different places like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in the middle of the jungles.
Manav and Shyamendra started this project several years ago by pitching a few tents in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna National Park, then they had no idea that their initiative would become such a success. While running his small safari business, he realized how excited people are about staying in tree houses, forests and wildlife tourism and want to see them.
Then these two friends decided to expand their work and after 1986 built two more lodges with tree houses and mud houses between 2007-2010.
Today, Pagdandi Safaris has Kanha Earth Lodge in Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Denwa Backwater Escape in Satpura National Park, Pench Tree Lodge in Pench National Park, Treehouse Hideaway and Kings Lodge in Bandhavgarh National Park and Ken River Lodge in Panna National Park. Are. Apart from this, he also has the Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra.
Located in the beautiful and popular National Parks of India, Pagdandi Safaris’ Jungle Lodges provide travelers with an up-close experience of the jungle and wildlife. The most special thing about these houses promoting sustainable tourism is that they are made from mud, recycled wood and local materials. The use of soil is given special importance here, they believe that soil keeps us connected with nature.
many awards Pagdandi Safaris, who built tree houses, have been awarded
Started by just two friends, the project is today run by a team of 300 people, 80 per cent of whom are locals, who work to provide an amazing wildlife experience to their guests. These lodges offer many luxuries like private pools, varied cuisine and comfortable stay along with a rustic and natural living experience.
The walls here are made of natural materials like clay and wood, and recycled wood and local materials have been used for the furniture.
Apart from mud and tree houses, it also follows a zero single-use plastic policy for wildlife conservation. Guests on the Trail Safaris also get to experience farm-to-table dining.
Coming here, one can also enjoy delicious food made from fresh and nutritious vegetables grown in the organic garden. Activities like village visits, local food tasting, nature walk are also organized here.
Also, Manav and Shyamendra have been working towards improving the education and infrastructure of the local schools for the past 6 years, not just limiting themselves to bus tourism and wildlife experience. Pagdandi Safaris has also received many awards for all these works.
Editing- Archana Dubey
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