What makes Saccharum Safari Lodge, India different from other hotels?

Saccharum Safari Lodge sits in a 55-acre Sal forest patch at the edge of Kanha Tiger Reserve, built as a labour of love for conservation. Exceptional tiger safaris meet warm hospitality and sustainable practices that honour the natural habitat.

India, Asia

Saccharum Safari Lodge

The Saccharum Safari offers an exhilarating experience for nature lovers, combining the beauty of a Sal Forest with the thrill of spotting majestic tigers in the wild

Saccharum Safari Lodge is a haven for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of nature. Our focus is on providing a serene and respectful environment that honour’s the natural habitat of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The Saccharum Safari Lodge, set in a 55 acre forest patch, is a labour of love as much as it is a business. Exceptional guest experiences, warm hospitality, conservation & sustainable practices are some of the key dictums that guide all decisions.

Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, a tiger and leopard state, Kanha is home to healthy populations of both predators. Kanha’s mascot is the Barasingha, a hard-ground swamp deer with males sporting 12 or more tines on their antlers.

Langurs, Sambar, spotted deer, Gaur (the largest cattle in the world), barking deer, jackals, and wild boars are commonly seen here. The park also has sloth bears, wild dogs (Dhole), ruddy mongoose, Indian pangolins, giant squirrels, foxes, porcupines, hyenas, jungle cats, hare, monkeys, mongoose, python, and many more. The thick foliage, grasslands, bamboo thickets, and various water bodies support birds of varied habitat. Over 300 bird species can be seen here, with winter months hosting migratory birds from Central Asia.

Experience the thrill of the jungle on our naturalist-led vehicle safari. Traverse the rugged terrain of Kanha Tiger Reserve in an open safari vehicle, where you can spot majestic tigers, vibrant birdlife, and other wildlife.

Jeep Safari
Full Day Jeep Safari
Night Jeep Safari
Walking Safari
Elephant Bath Viewing
Village walking tours allow you to experience the charm of local hamlets, mud houses and ancient farming techniques, offering a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the area. It’s a delightful way to connect with the local culture and heritage.

Conserving Ecosystems, Empowering Communities

A holistic approach to tiger reserve tourism

Discover the Wild

Immerse yourself in the wilderness, immerse in our local culture

A Sustainable
Safari Experience

Protecting wildlife and reviving the rainforest

A Culinary Safari: Unforgettable Dining Experiences

Indulge in a fusion of flavours, locally-sourced ingredients and stunning wilderness views

Your Host - Wasim K

Wasim is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a professionally qualified Naturalist. He made the move from the corporate world to a real jungle joining Taj Safaris/ &beyond and qualifying as a naturalist in 2011.

Having experienced and worked in the best of the Wilderness Hospitality companies in India & Africa for several years; Wasim is overall in charge of guest experience. He is a diehard wildlife enthusiast. Among his passions is travelling to remote locations in Arunachal & trekking for weeks to see the snow leopard in Ladakh.

He is a keen birder, an excellent tiger tracker and has a fine head for figures with a meticulous work ethic.

Our insights..

Transparency is essential if we are all going to grow and improve together and this is why we have dedicated this section to sharing what we love about each place and its hosts. We work with each of our hosts to improve their guest experiences, sustainability practices and local impact, this is where you can learn more about that along with what still needs to be improved, the measures being taken to ensure our hosts continue to move forward and every now and then we’ll come back to update you on their progress.

Lars von der Wettern

Visited the property in November 2023

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Jeep Safari
Full Day Jeep Safari
Night Jeep Safari
Walking Safari
Elephant Bath Viewing
Village walking tours allow you to experience the charm of local hamlets, mud houses and ancient farming techniques, offering a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the area. It’s a delightful way to connect with the local culture and heritage.

Conserving Ecosystems, Empowering Communities

A Holistic Approach to Tiger Reserve Tourism

A Sustainable Safari Experience

Protecting Wildlife and Reviving the Rainforest

Discover the Wild

Immerse Yourself in the Wilderness, Indulge in Local Culture

A Culinary Safari: Unforgettable Dining Experiences

Indulge in a fusion of flavors, locally sourced ingredients, and stunning wilderness views.

Your Host - Wasim K

Wasim is a qualified Chartered Accountant & a professionally qualified Naturalist
Wasim made the move from the corporate world to a real jungle joining Taj Safaris/ &beyond and qualifying as a naturalist in 2011.
Having experienced and worked in the best of the Wilderness Hospitality companies in India & Africa for several years; Wasim is overall in charge of guest experience. He is a diehard wildlife enthusiast. Among his passions is travelling to remote locations in Arunachal & trekking for weeks to see the snow leopard in Ladakh.
He is a keen birder, an excellent tiger tracker, has a fine head for figures with a meticulous work ethic.

Our insights..

–

Lars von der Wettern

Visited the property in November 2023

Community & Sustainability Commitment

Here are some key sustainability & community practices that these hosts are committed to. Please use the key below the icons for reference. You might see that some measurements are not currently in place and that’s okay, we choose to support our hosts on their imperfect road towards a better world and we understand that that takes time.

Sustainability Practices

Community Commitments

Not in Place

Eco Certifications & Efforts

Just as we admire each of our hosts for their singularity, we appreciate that their sustainability journeys are also unique. Because of this, we do not require our hosts to have an eco certification or two under their belt, we simply guide them on improving their sustainable business practices one imperfect – but positive – step at a time. If a host has eco certifications they will be shown below, if not, then know we are working towards this together.

Our Efforts

We have an in-house organic garden, mostly growing vegetables that are not easily available in this area. Fresh dairy products are sourced locally from a nearby village, which is also part of your guest experience.

Some of our sustainable tourism initiatives are

Responsible waste management.
Rain water harvesting and ground water recharging
No single use plastic.
Maintaining the grasslands and removing invasive plant species.
No noise/light pollution. No loud music or harsh lights outside the rooms or guest areas.
Using local produce and local resources to reduce our carbon footprint
Mud guesthouses constructed using the ancient Baiga architecture techniques to create a rustic, earthy charm while ensuring minimal impact.

Rewilding the land

Our team has spent several years rewilding the private forest, managing the grasslands and the perennial small lake, to create an exclusive wild haven. To begin with, mounds of trash were cleared. The land was overgrazed and denuded, lantana and other weeds had the run of the place, stymieing the growth of indigenous grasses and shrubs. Large swathes of existing concrete pathways and other unnecessary concrete structures were removed to allow the ground to rejuvenate.

Invasive species of plants and bushes were cleared to create a habitat with a good balance of grasslands and tree thickets. The small seasonal stream needed reviving. Along with cleaning the stream bed, the banks were bolstered with stones, rocks and logs to stop soil erosion. Small natural check dams were built and now ensure moisture and pools of water even in the drier months. The lodge has undergone constant upgrades in the last few years, to transform it into an idyllic jungle dwelling. Harsh & bright outdoor lighting was replaced with low lighting closer to the ground, so as not to disrupt the circadian rhythm of roosting birds, monkeys and other tree-dwelling creatures like civets and squirrels.

Numerous small mammals, scores of birds and butterflies can now be spotted, especially when relaxing by the pool.

NGOs & Local Impact Projects Supported

Each of our hosts strive to have a positive impact on their local communities. Some of our hosts already have established connections with local partners to enrich the lives and wellbeing of their communities, others are in the process of creating these long term relationships. If a host has local NGO connections they will be shown below, if not, then know we are working towards this together.

Our local impact projects include

Distributing a year’s supply of bio-degradable sanitary napkins to local girls.
Employing over 95% local staff.
The younger generations are the future of Kanha & its tigers, we arrange safaris for the local kids for them to learn and encourage to be part of future conservation efforts.
Supporting local school with books, charts, school bags and other essentials.
Training of locals to become park guides and earn a living,
Woman empowerment – 40% of our staff are local girls/ladies.

Wildlife, wilderness & community

Tourism in Tiger reserves is dependent on wildlife sightings. Wildlife can only thrive if habitats are preserved. Both, the wildlife, and the wilderness cannot be protected in isolation from the communities that have lived in and around them for centuries. Therefore, for real and lasting conservation to happen, all three must be looked after simultaneously. An understanding of this aspect has led the lodge team to place the sanctity of the wilderness and wildlife at the heart of all operations.

The Four Cs

The 4Cs is a framework designed by The Long Run that integrates sustainable and regenerative practices into any travel business. Designed by practitioners and experts, both proven and flexible, it makes strategic and holistic sustainability more accessible, breaking it down into four chunks: