RCB’s wild Kanha adventure

RCB’s wild Kanha adventure

The Fellowship Committee organised a very special fellowship trip to Kanha National Park from March 1st to 4th, 2024. Our group of 30 Rotarians and their partners, consisting of safari enthusiasts as well as first-time safari travellers, embarked upon a unique journey to Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. We stayed at the fabulous Taj Banjaar Tola in luxury tent suites modelled on African safari camps.
The first day saw us going for a nature trail walk in the 90-acre hotel property and an orientation on the national parks and tiger conservation in India as well as on our upcoming safaris. There was a gala welcome dinner organised especially for us in the bush with lanterns, bonfires, and a lovely tribal dance performance by tribals from the nearby village. Many from our group joined in the dancing as well and sang for the group. We enjoyed a fabulous evening with drinks and dinner in the jungle setting under a starlit night. It was truly a magical experience.
The next 2 days were packed with safaris with a naturalist in each jeep. The enchanted forest beckoned us… tall Sal trees, a wide range of vegetation ranging from grasslands to many different types of trees. The wildlife ranged from beautiful dancing peacocks and many species of birds to several species of deer including the famed Barasingha deer which is only found in Kanha, baboons, wild boar, and more. The highlight was the king of the jungle… the majestic tiger! We were awestruck to get a fabulous sighting of Pattawala, the famous male tiger in Kanha. Some of the group also had a sighting of a male cub and a leopard.
The hospitality of Taj Banjaar Tola was superb… from the breakfast in the jungle to the fabulous daily high tea and the special dinners organised for us as well as personalised attention. President Manoj Patodia and the entire group thanked the Fellowship Committee for meticulously planning this trip. Special thanks to Rtn. Arvind Agarwal, co-chair Fellowship Committee, who led this trip and had a personal rapport with Taj Safaris which contributed to this being a memorable experience for our group and Rtn. Anar Shah, chair Fellowship Committee, and First Lady Nandita Patodia for working over months to ensure that the trip goes off flawlessly. Many from the group were generous in their appreciation and said it was one of the most memorable fellowship trips which even rivalled African safaris.
As a parting gift, we had a glimpse of Pattawala who entered the hotel property which is pretty rare… maybe he enjoyed our company as well! The group left with wonderful memories of the captivating jungle.