Kanha's Hidden Gem: Camp Dev Vilas - Unforgettable India Adventure
Kanha's Hidden Gem: Camp Dev Vilas - An Unforgettable India Adventure (and the Mosquitoes Tried to Get Me!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I've just returned from a whirlwind adventure at Camp Dev Vilas in Kanha National Park, India, and my brain is still buzzing with the sounds of the jungle…and the relentless zzzzzzzzz of mosquitoes. This place… it’s a trip. Like, a real trip. Forget your sterile, cookie-cutter resorts; this is the kind of place where you might find a rogue elephant eyeing your balcony, or a leopard deciding your morning stroll is prime real estate. And you know what? I loved it. Mostly. Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Okay, let's be real. "Accessibility" here… isn't exactly the shining star. They do mention "Facilities for disabled guests," but I didn't see a whole lot in action. Elevators? Nope. Ramps? Sketchy in places. The whole place has a very "rustic charm," which, let's face it, often translates to "uneven ground and potential tripping hazards." So, if mobility is a major concern, do your research. But, if you're adventurous and have some assistance, you might be alright. Side note: I, thankfully, could get around just fine, but I noticed the paths were a little dicey at times. Gotta keep an eye on your ankles, folks!
The Sanctuary of Stomach: Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Culinary Rollercoaster!
Oh, the food! This is where things get interesting. Forget your diet, because Kanha runs on the fuel of butter chicken and naan.
Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants! Multiple, yes. A la carte, buffet, the whole shebang. The Asian breakfast was a delight – fluffy parathas, spicy chana, and strong Indian coffee. The Western breakfast, though? Meh. Stick to the local stuff. The Vegetarian restaurant was a godsend for my veggie friend, and honestly, I ate more vegetarian dishes than I anticipated and enjoyed them.
The Poolside Bar: The ultimate chill spot, especially after a sweaty jungle trek. Sipping a Kingfisher beer, watching the sunset over the Sal forest… chef's kiss. The Poolside bar was great, and I spent a lot of time there.
Happy Hour? Oh, yes! It's a thing, and it's glorious.
Room Service: 24-hour? Absolute lifesaver after a long day of safari-ing. I might have ordered a late-night biryani…don't judge.
The Food Delivery: While not a huge range, it was great to have the option, especially when I didn't want to trek all the way to the restaurant.
Snack Bar: Useful, but mainly for the snacks you can take to the lodge.
Coffee/Tea in restaurant & Coffee Shop: Good! Essential for a caffeine addict like myself.
Desserts in restaurant: Oh, the Indian desserts were heavenly.
Bottle of water: Always a welcome, essential amenity.
Alternative meal arrangement: They were accommodating; I have dietary restrictions.
Salad in restaurant & Soup in restaurant: These were good, but I went for the core of indian cuisine.
Western cuisine in restaurant: The burgers were nothing to write home about.
"Buffet in restaurant": I'm never a huge fan of buffets in terms of "fresh", but it was a great experience to try everything.
A la carte in restaurant: Excellent!
The Imperfection: One word: mosquitoes. They were relentless, especially around the outdoor dining areas. I’m pretty sure I donated enough blood to Kanha to keep a small colony alive. Remember that bug spray, people!
Ways to Relax (and Escape the Mosquitoes!)
This is where Dev Vilas truly shines. They get the "chill" factor.
- The Spa/Sauna/Steamroom/Massage: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! After a day of bumping around in a jeep, a massage was pure bliss. The steamroom was a great way to sweat out the toxins…and maybe a few mosquito bites.
- The Pool with a View & Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Absolutely stunning. The pool itself is gorgeous, and the views of the forest? Unbeatable. Floating there, watching the monkeys swing through the trees… pure zen. Note to self: Invest in a waterproof phone case!
- Foot bath: I never tried this.
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: The gym was fine.
- Body scrub/Body wrap: Never tried these.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Relatively Secure…Mostly
This is where the pandemic had an impact. They’re taking things seriously.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff wearing masks.
- Rooms sanitized between stays & Daily disinfection in common areas Made me feel safe.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried, but it's sometimes tricky in the dining areas.
- Safe dining setup: Pretty decent.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Present/
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Always a good sign.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed to be.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice for the eco-conscious.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: A must during Covid.
- Hygiene certification: I did not hear of this.
- First aid kit: Present.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Present.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient.
- Doctor/Nurse on call: Thank goodness, hopefully you don't need it.
- Shared stationery removed: It's the small things.
- Sterilizing equipment: present.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Definitely.
- First aid kit: Always handy.
- Safety/security feature & Smoke alarms, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Fire extinguisher: Present.
- CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property: Always helps.
- Front desk [24-hour] & Security [24-hour] & Doorman: Always a good sign.
The Imperfection: Let’s just say, I didn’t realize the extent of the bug situation until I got back to my room one night and found a scorpion on the ceiling. My scream could probably be heard across the jungle. Luckily, staff responded quickly, which was reassuring. Not exactly a five-star experience, but definitely memorable. ;)
For the Kids: Family/child friendly
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Babysitting service: They seemed to have the essentials to cater to kids.
Services and Conveniences – The Perks, The Perks!
They try hard, this place.
- Concierge, Doorman, Luggage storage: Super helpful.
- Air conditioning in public area & Air conditioning: Essential in the heat!
- Daily housekeeping: Your room will be squeaky clean.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Always nice to have.
- Car park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site] & Car power charging station: Easy parking.
- Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, Seminars: Didn't use these.
- Invoice provided: Easy checkout.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea.
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Expensive, but handy for last-minute gifts.
- Convenience store: Not really! Bring what you need with you.
- Elevator: No!
- Terrace: Wonderful spot.
- Smoking area: Available.
- Pets allowed unavailable: Thank God.
- Food delivery: Present.
- Concierge: Helpful!
- Exterior corridor: The charm.
- Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, On-site event hosting, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Wi-Fi for special events, Projector/LED display: They can host events.
The Imperfection: Internet. The Wi-Fi was…patchy. I mean, we’re in the middle of a jungle – what did I expect? But seriously, don’t rely on it for work. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! & Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: All available!
Getting Around
- Airport transfer: Smooth! They arranged everything.
- **
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is a rollercoaster. This is my attempt to survive, thrive, and maybe, just maybe conquer Camp Dev Vilas in Kanha, India. Expect dust, drama, and deliciousness – in no particular order.
Camp Dev Vilas: Kanha - The "Reality" Itinerary (or, How I Plan to Lose Myself and Maybe Find a Tiger)
Day 1: Arrival – Or, "My Luggage is a Drama Queen"
- Morning (ish): Get to the airport. Breathe. Remember the mantra: "It's an adventure, it's an adventure, it's…" Ugh, already regretting this. The flight was fine, I guess. Didn’t see anyone famous, which is always a disappointment. Land in Nagpur. Instantly, sweat. It’s like walking into a furnace. Find the driver, who seems perpetually amused (and is probably judging my travel-worn backpack).
- Mid-morning/Lunch: The drive to Camp Dev Vilas. Two words: Road. Trip. The countryside whizzes by. Cows, cows, and more cows. I swear, they have a cow for every blade of grass. Feel a flicker of excitement… then remember I’m in a car in India, and immediately cling to my seat. Lunch at a roadside stall – maybe I shouldn’t have ordered anything with “mystery meat” in the description. My stomach does a dance of apprehension.
- Afternoon: Arrive at Camp Dev Vilas. Oh. My. God. The place is stunning. Seriously, like a postcard. Thatched roofs, lush greenery, a pool that begs to be jumped into. Feel a strange mix of elation and… is this really me? Quick check-in. The staff are ridiculously polite. Already feeling guilty for my inevitable meltdowns. But wait… WHERE IS MY LUGGAGE?! Cue the drama. Apparently, my suitcase has chosen a scenic route. Sigh. Start unpacking my emergency "survival kit" carry-on: toothbrush, spare underwear, and a novel about… hmm, appropriate now, lost treasure.
- Evening: Settle into the tent (a luxury tent, mind you). Take an hour-long shower, realizing that the water pressure is weaker. Dinner at the camp. Seriously, the food is incredible. Spicy, flavorful, and after my luggage fiasco, a welcome distraction. Chat with other tourists, who all seem to be either impossibly zen or annoyingly enthusiastic. Choose to be both. Try to sleep. The sounds of the jungle are… a lot. Trying to figure out if that screeching is a peacock or a hungry tiger. No sleep, for sure.
Day 2: Safari – Operation: Tiger-spotting (and Avoiding Mosquitoes)
- Early Morning (like, REALLY early): Wake up before dawn. Breakfast is a blur of toast, fruit, and caffeine. The safari is starting. Climb into the jeep. My excitement is starting to grow again. The jungle is waking up – birdsong, rustling leaves, that persistent feeling of being watched.
- Mid-Morning: The safari continues. The scenery is magnificent. The driver is amazing. I'm still hoping to catch a glimpse of a tiger.
- Anecdote: We saw a sloth bear! And a variety of deer. I’ve been told to be patient because, “Tigers are elusive, like the secret to not aging. You’ll see them if you’re lucky.”
- Lunch: Back to camp for a delicious lunch. After a morning out in the wilderness, the food tastes even better.
- Afternoon: Relax by the pool. Actually, I’m just trying to recover from the morning. The heat is intense, and the sun is unforgiving. Fail at my attempt to read. There are a lot of mosquitoes.
- Evening: Dinner again. This time, I will not panic, will eat all the things, and will not cry. Talk to fellow tourists, but avoid the excessively cheerful ones. Drink a beer. Attempt to sleep. Pray to the jungle gods for a tiger sighting tomorrow.
Day 3: The Wilderness - The Day I Fell for Nature
- Morning: Start with another safari! The wilderness is waiting to be explored.
- Mid-Morning: More jungle. I'm taking pictures, but I want to feel the moment. I try really hard to appreciate what is around me.
- Anecdote: My jeep broke down. Yes, In the middle of the jungle. Everyone was calm, but I was not. I saw a gorgeous tiger just lying to our left, it watched us for a good 20 minutes. What a moment.
- Lunch: I will never forget that tiger. Lunch felt less important.
- Afternoon: I want to walk through the jungle, so I can feel it and touch it and see the different life. It was amazing.
- Quirky observation: I’m starting to feel connected. The smell of the jungle is really something special. I can't wait to keep moving forward.
- Evening: Dinner and another attempt to fall asleep. Fail. The tiger's eyes seemed too real.
Day 4: Farewell - The Tiger's Grin
- Morning: A last delicious breakfast. Say goodbye to the staff, who now consider me an eccentric friend.
- Mid-Morning: The drive back to the airport. Reflect on the trip. (Did I mention I still didn't know if my luggage had ever been seen?)
- Emotional reaction: Sad to leave, but also strangely energized.
- Lunch: Airport food.
- Afternoon: Head to the next leg of my trip.
Things to Remember (Or, My Survival Guide):
- Mosquito repellent: Duh.
- Sunscreen: Another obvious one.
- A sense of humor: Essential. Especially when your luggage is on a grand tour of India without you.
- Embrace the chaos: It's part of the fun.
- Expect the unexpected: Because, well, India.
- Be kind to yourself: This adventure is not always easy.
Final Thoughts: Camp Dev Vilas… it was a wild ride. I sweated, I freaked, I found myself staring at a tiger for half an hour. This place is magical. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm double-checking my luggage, and maybe bringing earplugs. And definitely more bug spray. Wish me luck!
Livonia's BEST Hotel Deal? (Detroit Airport Near!)
Kanha's Hidden Gem: Camp Dev Vilas - Unforgettable India Adventure (or is it?!) - FAQ (and Rants!)
Okay, so "Unforgettable Adventure"... What's *actually* unforgettable about Camp Dev Vilas? (Besides the price tag, of course...)
Let's talk 'luxury tents'. Are we talking *glamping*? Or glorified camping? (Because I *hate* camping.)
Tiger spotting! Tell me *everything*. Did you actually see a tiger? (Because that's why we're all going, right?)
The food! You mentioned the daal makhani. Dish out the details! And are there options for fussy eaters? (Asking for a friend.)
What else is there to *do* besides staring at tigers and eating daal? (Because I can only stare at a tiger for so long...)
The staff – good? Bad? Eccentric? Spill the tea!
