White Tiger Forest Lodge, Bandhavgarh

We are located out in Tala, which is a small village near the Bandhavgarh forest. The lodge is run as part of the M.P. State Tourism Development Corporation. Being out here in Tahsil Manpur means we are far away from the big cities, and that’s how we like it. The lodge is a bit older, with buildings that have been through many seasons of rain and heat. We have trees all around the property, and sometimes you can hear the animals from the forest at night. It’s not a luxury resort with gold taps. It’s a forest lodge. We have rooms that are basic but clean, and a dining area where we serve meals to the visitors. Most people come here because they want to see the tigers or just be in the woods. We spend our days coordinating with the park guides and making sure the guests are ready for their safaris. The staff here are mostly local folks from the surrounding villages. We know the paths and the weather patterns pretty well. Sometimes the monkeys get onto the roofs and make a lot of noise, but that’s just life in Bandhavgarh. We don't try to make it something it isn't. It’s a place to sleep and eat while you explore the jungle. We keep the fires going in the winter and try to keep things cool in the summer. It’s simple and honest work.