Explorations Company Welcomes Haldu Tola: A Private Villa in Pench Tiger Reserve, India

London, September 2024// Leading luxury safari and adventure specialist, Explorations Company, is delighted to welcome Haldu Tola, a beautiful private villa in Pench, India, and the only one of its kind to be located in Pench Tiger Reserve. Available to rent through Explorations Company, there is no better base from which to explore this magical part of India and some of the country’s finest wildlife.

Surrounded by the jungle, Haldu Tola is named after the long-standing Haldu tree. The villa has four bedrooms that come together to form a ‘tola’ or hamlet. Intricately carved by local artisans from the Gond tribal community, Haldu Tola has vivid cultural elements, each decoration with its own story to tell. A spacious retreat that sings of folklore, the entrance of Haldu Tola is marked by a grand crafted doorway. Centred on an elegant courtyard scented with a heady mix of flora sure to soothe the senses, the villa boasts four en suite bedrooms, a dining room, a majestic living room and a lounge that leads to the (heated) pool.

Inspired by the elements of nature, Haldu Tola is a universe in itself, encouraging guests to embrace the solitude, capture unforgettable moments on film, hit the well-equipped gym, or simply bask in the sunshine poolside, listening to nature’s soundtrack from the privacy of one’s villa. Private in-villa yoga sessions and art workshops can also be arranged upon request. Exquisitely decorated throughout with all of the home comforts that one could wish for, Haldu Tola provides the perfect base from which to explore the very jungle that inspired Rudyrad Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’, embarking on safaris or guided nature walks.

Safari enthusiasts will not be disappointed: guests staying at Haldu Tola will also have access to their own in-villa naturalist, on-hand to accompany excursions and provide in-depth insights of local flora, fauna and wildlife. The ultimate villa addition, however, is Haldu Tola’s very own customised Africa style safari jeep, arguably the best of its kind in India for wildlife photographers.

Available to rent fully serviced, Haldu Tola comes equipped with its own senior camp manager, housekeeping and talented chef, on hand to ensure only the finest breakfasts, lunches and dinners are enjoyed, paying homage to the local Indian cuisine and bounty of locally sourced produce. Taking great care to operate as ecologically as possible, most of Haldu Tola’s fruits and legumes are grown on site in the villa’s vegetable garden, whilst the villa itself is solar powered and maintains a largely plastic-free environment.

A celebration of nature and craftsmanship, Haldu Tola is the perfect home away from home for travellers seeking stories and the opportunity to disconnect from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with nature.

In addition to offering world-class safari experiences, earlier this year Pench Tiger Reserve was recognised as Asia’s eighth and newest dark sky place, going beyond jungle safaris to offer stargazing, astronomy workshops, and more. Bestowed by the non-profit organisation ‘DarkSky’, this title recognises the reserve’s commitment to combating light pollution, ensuring a pollution-free night sky, and providing unobstructed views of the glimmering stars. Marvel in the beauty of this dark sky space with a nightcap al fresco at your luxury villa, Haldu Tola.

Experience Haldu Tola with Explorations Company from £19,500 based on a five night stay for 5-8 guests. 

Price includes twice daily safaris in Pench National Park; a nature walk in the buffer zone; an exploration of the nearby village to learn about some of the philanthropic initiatives, including the village school; a birding walk accompanied by the in-villa naturalist; cooking lessons or recipe demonstration with the in-villa chef; star gazing; farm to kitchen experience (depending on season and produce); all meals and soft drinks; return airport transfers from and to Nagpur. Best enjoyed as part of a longer itinerary with Explorations Company; visit www.explorationscompany.com