What to know before you go?

- Just 20 minutes from Kanha's Mukki Gate, Bagh Villas is ideally located for safari enthusiasts, while offering a quieter, more intimate base on the edge of the national park

- While tiger sightings may be the headline attraction, it's the experiences beyond the safari that truly set a stay apart. Think guided nature walks, birdwatching trails, cycling through sal forests, village visits, forest bathing, yoga by the lake, stargazing under clear night skies, and leisurely sundowners overlooking the wilderness

What we love?

- Waking up to the sound of birdsong across the lake, with nothing on the agenda but the day ahead

- Days that move between Kanha's tiger trails, forest walks through towering sal trees, and unhurried meals crafted from produce grown in the property's own gardens and nearby villages

- Returning from the wild to lakeside sunsets, star-filled skies, and the quiet luxury of a retreat designed to slow you down

About the property: 

On the edge of Kanha National Park, forests spill into grasslands, lakes mirror the changing sky, and wildlife moves quietly through the landscape. Just 7 kilometres from the Mukki Gate (20 mins), Bagh Villas sits amidst this wilderness, offering a slower, more intimate way to experience one of India's most celebrated national parks.

Spread across 15 acres, the retreat was created by three wildlife-loving friends who envisioned a space where wilderness and wellness coexist seamlessly. At its heart is a tranquil lake that shapes the rhythm of the retreat - drawing birds to its shores, reflecting the changing light, and inviting guests to slow down and linger a little longer.

With just ten lakeside tented suites and a private two-bedroom cottage, Bagh Villas feels deeply connected to its surroundings. Arranged around the water's edge, the accommodations are designed to immerse guests in nature, with spacious verandahs that invite long mornings, unhurried afternoons, and a front-row seat to the rhythms of the wild. Days drift by beside the infinity pool overlooking the lake, while evenings unfold under star-filled skies.

While Kanha's famed tiger safaris remain a highlight, the experience here extends far beyond game drives. Guests can cycle through sal forests, join guided birdwatching walks, explore nearby tribal villages, practise yoga by the lake, or simply spend an afternoon with a book in the library overlooking the wilderness.

Food is an integral part of the experience. Much of the produce comes from the property's own organic gardens or neighbouring villages, resulting in meals that are fresh, seasonal, and deeply rooted in the region. The menu draws inspiration from both local flavours and international cuisines, complemented by homemade preserves, kombucha, freshly harvested mushrooms, pure honey from the property's beehives, and coffee sourced from the owners' estate in Wayanad.

For those seeking restoration, the state-of-the-art spa offers a range of therapies, while forest bathing sessions provide a more immersive way to reconnect with nature. As the sun begins to set, guests can head out for a lakeside sundowner before returning to the quiet comfort of the retreat.

What sets Bagh Villas apart is its ability to slow time down. Here, days aren't measured by safari schedules but by moments - the first cup of coffee overlooking the lake, an unhurried lunch crafted from ingredients harvested nearby, an afternoon spent doing absolutely nothing, and conversations that stretch long after sunset. Even the wilderness feels gentler here, revealing itself not only through wildlife sightings but through the stillness of the landscape, the warmth of local hospitality, and the simple pleasure of being fully present.

For travellers seeking more than a safari lodge, Bagh Villas offers an experience that lingers long after the journey ends - one rooted in nature, shaped by thoughtful hospitality, and defined by the luxury of slowing down.