Tala Camp

Tala Camp Resort feels like a family home in the wilderness. Deepak Talan, a naturalist and author of Bandhavgarh- The Tiger Country, knows the forest and its wildlife deeply, and his passion comes through whenever he talks about them. His elder daughter Ms. Baby leads engaging birdwatching walks with sharp insights into local birds. Mrs. Vidya Talan makes tasty home-cooked local vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, and asks what guests prefer. The whole family takes part in running the camp, from meals and housekeeping to safaris, birding trips, village strolls, and gypsy excursions. They have their own gypsy for safaris and local exploring, and it's lovely to see family members move between different roles. The village setting is secluded, with fields, tall trees, and ponds all around, and it's a paradise for bird lovers. Around the camp we saw leaf birds, hooded orioles, purple sunbirds, spotted owls, jungle owls, orange-headed thrushes, Indian robins, hawk cuckoos, red-breasted flycatchers, Indian white-eyes, verditor flycatchers, greater coucals, mottled wood owls, woolly-necked storks, minivets, and many others. Purple sunbirds, black-naped monarchs, and spotted owls nest on the property, and we even saw a harmless bronze-backed tree snake. It's in the buffer zone of the Tala Zone (core area) of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, with the Khitauli core zone just a few kilometers away. Tigers move through the area often, sometimes within 100 meters of camp, which adds a real wilderness thrill. For safety, early morning walking birding tours are understandably discouraged. The six air-conditioned rooms are well appointed, neat, clean, and well maintained. They stay warm when it's cool outside and cool when it's warm, which is very comfortable. We found the stay warm and immersive, with home-cooked food and a personal touch. If you're after a polished commercial resort, this may not be the place for you. But if you want to feel at home in the wilderness, with birds all around, tigers nearby, and a family who treats you as one of their own, Tala Camp Resort is special.