Go Wild on Your Honeymoon

After the madness of the wedding, runaway to the hills, hide in the woods, let nature throw a blanket of star-lit forests over you and wake you up to a brand new dawn with birdsong.

Taj Safaris bring you the best of both worlds – the calm and seclusion, clean air and wellness that comes with unspoiled nature but the luxury and convenience of contemporary hospitality and services. Think intimate residences, scenic grounds, cool pools, spa treatments, jungle drives, dining under the stars and more. Take your pick from any of these five green experiences and start your married life making memories in the wild.

1. Mahua Kothi, Bandhavgarh National Park
Spread over 40 acres of grounds just 20 minutes outside the Bandhavgarh National Park, the Mahua Kothi Lodge is perfectly secluded. The original kothi has been beautifully renovated and the guest accommodation features brand new amenities.

Spend the magical days after your wedding in one of the twelve ‘kutiyas’, jungle village huts, built in the traditional style of Central India. Each of these guest suites is accessed through a private courtyard with shaded seating and cool, traditional mud flooring. The interiors are quietly luxurious – earth tones on the walls, ensuite bathrooms with twin hand-basins, an indoor shower, bath and separate w.c. Furnishings feature local textiles in saturated hues of rust and burnt orange.

Romantic Must DoSavor a mahua martini with dinner by a bonfire under the sprawling cover of the mahua tree. Or, sit on the terrace of your ‘kothi’ or homestead, pulling on an aromatic hukkah or hubble-bubble as you watch the sky turn shades of pink to purple at dusk. Later, enjoy the light-pollution free night sky and brush up on your star-gazing.

2. Baghvan, Pench National Park
The Pench National Park is a dry, deciduous forest of predominantly teak trees and meandering jungle streams. Baghvan is only ten minutes away from the deep heart of the Indian jungle.

With twelve charming standalone suites along a picturesque nullah (seasonal riverbed), the resort is rendered almost invisible by a canopy of old, shady forest trees. Each suite is spacious enough to evoke the feeling of your own private bungalow with an irresistible 1950’s ambience conjured up by the cream cement screed floors and interior colors in copper and pale turquoise.

Follow the stairs up to a magical machan (a covered, jungle rooftop platform) where you can enjoy the romance of the jungle by day or night for an unforgettable sleepout! Safe and secure, this property is serenity redefined.

Romantic MustDo – An evening on the deck of your cottage, overlooking the seasonal tributary, by a table for two set with flower petals, a candle lit dinner and your own private butler. Watch out for the odd giant flying squirrel and if you’re lucky, you’re in for a breathtaking acrobatic performance!

3. Banjaar Tola, Kanha National Park
Situated on the banks of the Banjaar River, overlooking the heart of Kanha National Park in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Range, the Banjaar Tola Safari Lodge is situated in the east of Madhya Pradesh. The lodge boasts two elegant camps of nine suites, each with its own tented sit out.

The tents are luxurious and lightweight – a contemporary design featuring pressed bamboo wall panels, gorgeous bamboo floors and locally crafted furniture hewn from replenishable Indian timber. The textiles are rich, block-printed Madhya Pradesh cottons and silks in delicate saffron and green tints. The atmosphere in these ensuite tents is light, ethereal and natural.

Romantic Must Do – Enjoy a relaxing couple spa treatment in the wilderness, in the privacy of your tent, on your own deck overlooking the river or the swimming pool.

4. Pashan Garh, Panna National Park
Nestled in the Vindhya Hills, Panna is lazily spread over the districts of Panna and Chattarpur in Madhya Pradesh. This lodge is a cluster of 12 stone cottages at the peak of a small hill allowing for magnificent views over the canopy of the forest and a large waterhole nearby that is host to tigers and antelope.

The architecture at the lodge draws inspiration from the traditional dry-packed stone houses of the region. The guest areas feature the ‘haveli’ design with a spacious central courtyard. The structures are chunky and rough-hewn presenting a pleasant surprise with the contemporary luxury interiors, furnished in chocolate linens, block-printed silk in black, celadon cotton and cotton-lace chandeliers. A crocodile motif runs through the lodge as a nod to the famous inhabitants of Ken River nearby.

Romantic Must Do – Sit down in a cozy palanquin under the starry skies, one hundred lanterns around or take a river cruise on the picturesque, serene Ken River with your spouse. You’ll watch water birds dive and see the large Mugger crocodiles basking on the banks.

5. Meghauli Serai, Chitwan National Park
The legendary Taj Safaris journey continues with its newest jungle lodge in the iconic Chitwan National Park, Nepal. On the edge of the Rapti River, the riverside villas and river-view rooms are a serene getaway with an activity roster curated to thrill you with wildlife encounters by day and nights full of carefully planned surprises!

Experience that renowned Taj Safaris hospitality with bush dinners around a crackling bonfire, sundowners in the wilderness, romantic bath turn downs, relaxing massages after a day spent in the great outdoors with a dedicated nature guide who interprets the wild ways of this enchanting land. It is the perfect honeymoon destination for nature lovers

This lodge has 16 Luxury Rapti Villas drenched in pastel hues, a calming sanctuary in the heart of the jungle. Each villa features spacious living areas with great views, private plunge pools in every suite and luxurious 5 fixture bathrooms adorned with traditional Nepalese stone spouts.

Romantic Must Do – Canoeing – Float down the picturesque Rapti River enjoying beautiful views of the Himalayan foothills and spot rhinos, gharials and birdlife.

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