Bagh Tola

I have worked throughout Africa saving lions for most of my life. I love Africa, the Kruger National Park, very much. But now I also love Kanha Tiger Reserve, and Meru Vann lodge. We were amazed by its tranquil, spiritual beauty. The food was incredible and beautifully presented at each meal. The staff were so kind, and the expertise of its head guides Naren and Mahesh with tigers in the forests was next level. We felt as if in the best possible hands and than the owner Sharad Vats who we were fortunate to meet, best wishes to all, Dr Paul Funston.

Everything about Meru Vann, a niche experiential retreat with just eight beautifully curated rooms in Mukki, on the edge of Kanha Tiger Reserve, is inspired by the aura of Meru—the celestial abode of Lord Shiva. Every corner has been thoughtfully designed to immerse guests in the rich cultural and ethnic soul of India. The décor is tasteful, almost spiritual, with the warmth of a family home wrapped in understated luxury. Nothing ostentatious yet warmly intentional. The vegetarian cuisine is par excellence. Chef Aslam and Sous Chef Pranav create dishes that are an epicure’s delight and a gourmet’s guilt-free dream. If you have a hearty appetite (sadly, I don’t!), be prepared to be pampered. Here, even a humble khichdi is elevated into something worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant. As someone who rarely orders soup outside home, I found myself surrendering to the fresh, flavourful soups that were simply irresistible. Even if you are not a wildlife enthusiast or a safari traveller, Meru Vann is reason enough to visit Kanha. Come for the warmth, the hospitality, and the unforgettable vegetarian cuisine. The entire team and Dy manager, Omkar, makes you feel less like a guest and more like family. And I must not forget our dear friend of over two decades, Naren, now the Head Naturalist at Meru Vann. One of the finest naturalists I know, his deep understanding of Kanha, built over more than twenty years, seems almost magical. Time and again, he conjured extraordinary tiger sightings—not through luck, but through his vast experience, expertise of a master tiger tracker and his intimate knowledge of the forests of Kanha. My only regret is that I couldn’t spend enough time exploring the magnificent 15-acre property, where, thankfully, the natural 14-acre hillock has been left untouched and wild—a rare and commendable decision by Sharad Vats, the owner of Meru Vann. Meru Vann is one of those rare places where you arrive as a guest but leave feeling like you are leaving family. Can’t wait to plan our return to Meru Vann. Take a bow, Sharad. You have created something truly memorable in Meru Vann. 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻

We loved everything about our stay at Meru Vann. The hotel is just a few minutes from Kanha, on a beautiful forested property surrounded by agricultural fields. The surrounding forest brings in a variety of birds that creates a quiet, peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. Our room was beautiful, clean, and very comfortable, with daily cleanings and even free daily laundry service. Our favorite part of our stay was by far the restaurant. The chef served two multi-course meals per day, with each course thoughtfully crafted and served on a rotating menu. We are not vegetarian, and still loved every dish of every meal. Additionally, the chef was extremely knowledgeable, and even took us on a tour of all of the dining venues on site. We loved the opportunity to eat at rotating venues, and enjoyed eating food cooked in a traditional tandoor in a comfortable outdoor setting. The early morning wake up calls, complete with custom ordered espresso drinks (I loved the hazelnut cappuccino). The safaris led by Nature Safari India’s guide Malik Naren were also amazing and deserve an entirely separate review. We loved our time at Meru Vann, it was absolutely amazing.