Kipling Camp, Kanha TR

Madhya Pradesh, India

Wildlife

Where conservation builds forests and community.

Established in 1982 by renowned conservationists Anne and Bob Wright, Kipling Camp is one of Kanha’s pioneering wildlife lodges and remains deeply rooted in the principles of conservation, community engagement, and low-impact tourism. Set amidst rewilded woodland near Kanha’s Khatia Gate, the camp was designed to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, using local architectural traditions and allowing nature to reclaim the landscape around it. Today, under the stewardship of acclaimed conservationist and wildlife filmmaker Belinda Wright, the property continues to champion the protection of India’s wildlife while offering guests an authentic and unpretentious wildlife experience. Cottages scattered a 25 acre forested land, forest trails, spaces gently shared with the wild, Kipling Camp lives an ethos of '"treading softly" where the forest is home and you stay tuned with it's rhythms.

Operational Period

Open October to June (closed during monsoon season July-September)

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For Kids

Doctor

Driver Stay

Laundry

Connectivity

Parking

Restaurant

Wi-Fi

What you would love

Kipling Camp is ideal for guests who appreciate comfort without frills, prefer genuine hospitality over luxury amenities, and seek personal interaction and believe in supporting local communities and wildlife protection. The Camp is perfect for conservation-minded travellers who appreciate Belinda’s deep commitment to wildlife protection through WPSI and sustainable tourism. Photographers and naturalists will find value in her expert guidance and invaluable insights. Especially children and those seeking to understand wildlife from close quarters will enjoy their time with Tara, the gentle resident elephant.

The Gallery

Your Stay at Kipling Camp, Kanha TR, Madhya Pradesh

The camp offers a collection of cottages, including one family cottage, set among mature trees. The cottages at the Camp have an 'old-world' charm, transporting you straight into the era of forest bungalows. The cottage rooms are spacious and furnished in a traditional lodge style, with quilted bedspreads, cushions and private verandahs overlooking the surrounding woodland. Hammocks strung between trees invite long afternoons of rest. The private cottage includes a bedroom, sitting room, two bathrooms and a patio overlooking a small waterhole. During winter months, heaters and hot water bottles are provided, while thick tree cover helps keep the camp comfortable during early summer.

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ROOMS & GUESTS

Private Cottage

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Deluxe Room

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Perfectly RARE

Spend time with Tara, the camp’s resident elephant. Walking with her to the river for her afternoon bath is a memorable part of the Kipling Camp experience. Tara was rescued and now lives under the camp's care. It is unforgettable to see her being bathed and fed by her mahouts, and her impatience when it is time for a treat or for her walk is a amazing insight into the intelligence of these gentle giants.

Destination

One of Asia’s premier wildlife reserves, Kanha Tiger Reserve is always special with its spectacular forests of sal and bamboo, stunning meadows, and the rivers Banjar and Tannaur. The park is considered one of the best places in the world to see the tiger. It is blessed with rich bird life and a variety of wildlife, including some endangered species, making it a delight for wildlife enthusiasts.

Famed to be the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s novel The Jungle Book, it was declared a national park in 1955. Kanha is made up of a vast, undulating landscape of dry-deciduous sal forest, grassy savanna, languid rivers, skeletal ghost trees, and dense bush, covering swathes of Madhya Pradesh's central highlands. Its distinction from other parks in Madhya Pradesh lies in its continued connection to indigenous tribal communities which accounts for the large number of beautiful tribal villages aroudn the Tiger Reserve with their homes made of mud, bamboo and wood. Kipling Camp is near the Khatia gate, providing access to both the Kisli and Kanha core zones.

Design and Concept

Established in 1982 as the home of conservationists Anne and Bob Wright, Kipling evolved into one of Kanha's first forest lodges. They pioneered a 'treading softly' conservation ethos, using buildings that blend into the vernacular architectural style with minimal use of cement, creating a wildlife retreat that fits seamlessly into the landscape. Rather than manicured grounds, the land was left to rewild, a nature-first philosophy creating habitat where deer, langurs and birds move freely through the property.

Many guests stay at Kipling for four nights or longer. Most days begin with an early morning drive into the park in open 4WD vehicles in search of barasingha, sambar, chital, wild dog, leopard, tiger, and other wildlife. Breakfast is always set up in the park; back at the camp, lunch is usually served outdoors. For the afternoon drive, guests can return to the Tiger Reserve, go bird watching, take a guided nature walk in the forests that surround the Camp, retreat to a hammock with a book, or—most popular of all—bathe Tara in the Banjar river. Evening time is for relaxing in the Shamiana around a campfire with drinks and dinner, as conversation flows among guests about their day in the park. Longer stays would allow for visits to 17th-century forts, a colourful tribal market, climbing the mysterious black mountain, enjoying relaxing massages, having a candlelit outdoor dinner, watching tribal dances under the stars (if there are sufficient guests), and screening films about Kanha’s remarkable wildlife.

A campfire at night, listening to the sounds of the jungle and sharing tales of adventure, provides the perfect end to an exciting day.

Know Your Host

Belinda Wright, Emmy Award-winning wildlife filmmaker and renowned tiger conservationist, runs Kipling Camp honouring her late parents' vision. Founder of the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), she pioneered investigations into the illegal wildlife trade, helping to arrest hundreds of criminals. Her intense love of nature began with filming Land of the Tiger for National Geographic before she became a full-time conservationist. Belinda divides her time between conservation work and the camp, often joining guests in the evening to share stories and insights from decades spent working in India’s forests.

Facilities

The Shamiana, a tiled pavilion open on all sides with cushioned seating, serves as the camp's hub, functioning as a dining room, well-stocked library, lounge and 'Barasingha' bar where guests and field researchers gather to share wildlife tales. Solar-powered motion sensors illuminate paths after dark, and, in keeping with a conservation-first philosophy, the shop showcases local artisanal handicrafts. One of the camp’s most distinctive residents is Tara, the elderly elephant who lives on the property and often accompanies guests on gentle walks to the river.

Safaris into the Kisli and Khatia zones are organised by the Lodge with reliable drivers and naturalist committed to the camp. Besides this Kipling is possibly one of the few lodges with various experiences that connect you with the community such as tribal performances, Gond art workshops, visits to the markets around and excursions around to a old Gond fort, temple, school etc. Kipling recommends other not so well known zones in Kanha for a quieter experience.

Dining

Morning safaris include packed breakfasts with tea and coffee in the jeeps. Back at camp, breakfast is served outside the Shamiana under the mahua tree. Indian lunches are served al fresco overlooking the surrounding forest, whilst evening drinks flow at the bar or under lantern-lit trees. Guests and managers eat together at the common tables, sharing experiences, and separate arrangements are available on request. The informal atmosphere encourages storytelling and camaraderie, with Belinda's evening discussions adding a special dimension through decades of conservation insights.

INDOOR GAMES

VILLAGE WALK

SAFARI

CYCLING

WILDLIFE INTERACTION

PERFORMING ARTS

CRAFT

CULTURAL DAY EXCURSIONS

NATURE WALK

Explore Around

Visit Phen Wildlife Sanctuary

Located next to Kanha National Park, Phen Wildlife Sanctuary is a quieter spot, ideal for observing wildlife without the crowds. This sanctuary offers you the chance to see a variety of animals in their natural habitat.

Kanha Museum

The Kanha Museum is situated near the Mukki entrance of the national park. A visit here offers greater insight into the region's conservation efforts, ecology, biodiversity, and people.

Village Walks & Community Visits

Kipling Camp has been closely associated with local communities for 40 years, supporting employment, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods. Meet local artisans selling handicrafts directly, and learn about traditional crafts and community development initiatives supported by the camp.