Bluish Satpura Mountains in the backdrop. New friends singing the birthday song and gifting a bouquet of the brightest possible Rangan Geraniums. That is how Bedo celebrated his birthday this year at Tathastu Resort in Satpura, Madhya Pradesh. We thought Satpura was all about the safari. Turns out, the safari was only half the story. Our stay at Tathastu changed the way we looked at this destination. We took the Shatabdi from Delhi to Bhopal, where the hotel car was waiting to receive us. The drive to the resort took about two hours on well-maintained roads. We passed through villages and forest stretches glowing with early monsoon greenery. As we neared the resort, it started pouring. The rains changed the verdant surroundings surreal. The good people at the resort were worried that we would get wet, but we were overjoyed to see the first monsoon deluge.

Tathastu Resort

Tathastu is spread across a large area with gardens, pathways and open spaces. There is enough room to walk around without feeling confined to your room. Complete with a partially covered swimming pool and spa services, it exudes relaxed vibes. Guests can choose to stay active or simply spend time unwinding.

For us, as soon as we reached the resort, we started off with chai-pakora, the quintessential combo with rain. We had left all our city rush behind and there was no hurry to begin sightseeing. It did not take long for us to settle into our holiday routine. We checked into our luxurious private pool villa and before unpacking our bags, we were already spending time by the water.

Village Walk

In the mornings, breakfast was followed by long walks around the property and outside. Along with the resort naturalist and tour guide Soumya, we went to the surrounding Chimdi village, a real “gaon” still isolated from city influence.

The bullock carts and door frames here would be an antique lover’s delight. We interacted with local residents of the Gond community about their daily lives. Listening to their tiger stories added that charming eerie touch that makes staying at a wildlife resort so different from staying at any other resort.

When the Jungle comes to you

One afternoon, we picked up bicycles provided by the resort and explored the entire property. Cycling gave us a chance to discover different corners of the resort at our own pace. We passed gardens, water bodies and open lawns before returning to our villa.

Sometimes you go to the jungle and sometimes the jungle comes to you. In the evening, we joined the in-house naturalist Animesh for a guided nature walk. Instead of focusing only on large animals, the walk introduced us to trees, insects, birds and plants found within the resort. The naturalist explained how these smaller elements are connected to the larger forest ecosystem. We found ourselves paying attention to details that we would normally have overlooked.

Chasing the Sunsets

Another standout moment was the nature walk sunset picnic arranged by the resort. Naturalist Saumya took us to a slightly higher altitude viewpoint overlooking the surrounding landscape just before sunset. On the way, she identified many trees for us and we particularly remember the Mahua. Mahua flowers emit a sweet smell and the fruits are flowers are consumed by locals as food and drinks. We had Mahua Halwa and Jalebi before and it was coming a full circle seeing the source.

Once we reached the hilltop, refreshments were served on a picnic blanket while we watched the changing colours of the sky. We loved the amazing photographs we have from here.

Celebrations at Tathastu, Satpura

We were impromptu invited to join a little party where a couple was celebrating their anniversary. A table laid with candles, flowers and a high cake at the centre, a singer belting out old Hindi melodies and the staff clapping and cheering at the couple, it all made way for lifelong memories.

Next morning, as we mentioned, it was Bedabrata’s birthday. The cafeteria had a surprise – a cute cake with candles laid on a table decorated with fresh flowers with Satpura Range on the backdrop. Complete with all rituals, the simple heartfelt touch made it one of the best birthdays Bedo has ever had.

Satpura Jungle Safari

A visit to Satpura National Park is one of the main reasons travellers come to this region of Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the Satpura Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in India. The park is known for its forests, wildlife and safaris.

Every safari follows a different route, making each drive unique. We booked an early morning jeep safari to feel the forest at the start of the day. Accompanied by Saumya from Tathastu, we were to explore the Mallupura zone of Satpura Tiger Reserve.

The Wildlife at Satpura

It was quiet at first but the forest slowly came alive as the sun rose higher. We spotted peacocks walking through open clearings and groups of spotted deer feeding among the trees. Bird calls echoed through the forest while our guide helped us identify different species. We also noticed tiny red velvet mites, something we had never seen before during any previous wildlife trip.

Tiger Spotting at Satpura

The biggest moment came when we spotted a tiger. Watching the animal walk through the forest in complete silence was a visual we will always remember. The excitement stayed with us long after the safari ended. We were told that this is also a good time to spot leopards and in fact we saw some pug marks. Despite waiting for more than an hour we could not see the leopard. We save it for the next visit to Satpura jungles.

Breakfast on the Bonnet

Tathastu had also packed sandwiches, parathas, tea and muffins for the safari. At the resting zone, we were surprised to see the breakfast being laid out on the bonnet of our jeep, with the Satpura Mountains and a water body in the background. The tea was much needed after the early morning start, and the food disappeared quickly. Everything was packed up afterwards, including the waste, so nothing was left behind in the forest.

All in all, we had a refreshing safari experience. Satpura forests are a relatively lesser known safari zone of India. The advantage is that you get to enjoy nature without the tourist clamouring. As a result we could spot many more birds and smaller creatures here. Satpura could jolly well be one of the most interesting wildlife destinations in India.

Other Attractions Near Satpura

If you are planning a longer holiday, there are several attractions near Satpura that can easily be included in your itinerary. Two places that stand out are Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and Bhopal. Both are located on the route for many travellers coming from Delhi and other cities. Together they add history and culture to a wildlife holiday.

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located between Bhopal and Satpura. These rock shelters contain paintings created thousands of years ago and provide insight into early human life. Walking through the site gives visitors a chance to understand India’s prehistoric past. You may visit Bhimbetka before or after a Satpura holiday.

Bhopal

Bhopal deserves at least a full day if your schedule allows. The city is home to attractions such as Upper Lake, Bharat Bhavan, the Tribal Museum and Van Vihar National Park. You can also spend time exploring local markets and sampling regional food. Together, Bhopal, Bhimbetka and Satpura make a complete travel circuit.

How to Reach Tathastu, Satpura

Reaching Tathastu Resort is simple from both Bhopal Railway Station and Bhopal Airport. There are several trains from Delhi and other cities to Bhopal. The drive from Bhopal to the resort takes around two hours. The road is in good condition and passes through villages, farms and forest stretches. Many travellers also prefer driving from Bhopal if they are on a road trip through Madhya Pradesh. The route is easy to follow and offers several places where you can stop for refreshments.

Guests arriving by air can land at Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal. From the airport, the journey to Tathastu Resort takes around two and a half hours depending on traffic. The resort can arrange transfers in advance. This allows visitors to begin their holiday without worrying about local transport.

Final thoughts

Our stay at Tathastu Resort showed us that a holiday at Satpura is about much more than wildlife sightings. The safari gave us memorable encounters with nature, but our time at the resort added equal value to the trip. Cycling, the nature walk, the village visit, the sunset picnic helped us see another side of the region. Add to that, a surprise birthday cake in a mountain setting. Tathastu at Satpura turned a wildlife holiday into a wholesome travel story.

P.S. Thank you Tathastu Satpura for hosting us so well.