About Us
Barn House is a homestay located in the mesmerizing Satpura Tiger Reserve. We dedicated this name to the Barn Owls that have been nesting in one of our Mahua Trees right at the entrance for generations. Their screeching sound is the first thing that welcomes you on your visit during winters. The Homestay or rather a home that we love to call it is owned and run by a family who have been present here in this terrain since almost two centuries.
From hunting to camping and trekking with the British since the late 19th Century the family developed immense amount of love for the jungle and its beings. As the era changed and Satpura became more popular amongst wild life enthusiast travelers, we decided to take them to an intriguing journey not just in the forest but also through a historic passage.
It all began when few enthusiastic friends with love for nature and wildlife met and got along well. Mr Shamim whose family owns this place and a good friend of him Asim who is a naturalist came up with an idea of converting a part of their farmland into a place where guests could stay and feel like being part of the Satpura landscape and culture. This place finally turned into something that offers uncompromised comfort of spacious rooms, trust of hygiene and warmth of hospitality So come and enjoy this blend with us, live a life outside the hustle and bustle and honking of cities, just like we do at Satpura. And not to mention the delights of the local delicacies.
Property
The homestay is located within our farmland expanded across 60 acres. We operate 6 rooms designed on the theme nature and the tradition of satpura, our rooms are spacious and air conditioned so that the guests get proper rest after the bumpy and adventurous drives during a safari. We have tried to take the minimal approach as far as possible and we make sure our waste is well taken care of.
The property is a wonderful spot for birding and enjoying the views of the hills and forest. The property is a home for several species of common resident birds apart from the migratory birds that fly in and stop over for a halt. Some of the rarer species of satpura like the Black bittern, Eurasian wryneck, Shaheen falcon, Eurasian hobby, Puff throated babblers and many more can be spotted here. The pond at our place is a winter holiday spot for young crocodiles of the Denwa river. At Barn House you are accompanied by the Barn House family which doesn’t only include the friendly staff and naturalists but also the chirping birds, the hopping hares, the shy jungle cats and occasional prowls by stealthy leopards.
The team
We employ local boys and girls who have been trained to offer our guests a local experience, tasty cuisine and homelike feel. Our naturalists will increase and enrich your curiosity and probably change the way you see things around you and in nature. Barn House naturalists may take you on a jeep safari into the forest but Mr Shamim and his family will take you on a virtual safari through the timeline to the colonial era where you not just hear but visualise the unheard stories of tribes, the British officers, the animals and the transition of this place from a dense forest, a logging hub to a lovely wildlife tourism destination.
During your stay you we don’t just host you in our homestay but make sure you have a personalised experience and go back with memories and stories to tell your friends. We strive to become a place where our guests would always want to come back to. The trio of Abdul Shamim his brother Abdul Salim and their very own naturalist friend Asim will always be around to ensure you a memorable stay. Our chefs Anand and Suraj expertise make sure that your taste buds aren’t left behind while the other five senses immerse themselves in the pristine Satpura. Service boys Chhotu, Kedar and Bhupen with their charming smiles would love to lighten your day.
About Satpura
Satpura tiger reserve gets its name from the Satpura mountain range that runs parallel south to the Vindhyachal range. Satpura means seven-fold mountains, the Satpura range actually can be marked as a boundary after which the Deccan plateau starts. The region around Satpura known as the Central Highlands was discovered by a British soldier named Captain James Forsyth who was on an expedition to find a revolutiory named Tantia Tope after the revolt of 1857 brutally crushed.
Satpura tiger reserve being the largest tiger reserve of the central India expands to over 2200 square kilometers. Satpura is known for its diversity and magnificent bird-life. The region is a transition zone between the Northern Indian plains and the Deccan plateaus down south. Here you may see species that are found both in the north as well as southern parts of India. The tiger reserve offers various activities for the guests like morning and evening jeep safaris in core as well as buffer zones, late evening drives in buffer, boating and canoeing in the Denwa river, adventure lovers may also opt for a walking or camping in the forest to have a thrill of being in the forest on foot. Cycling in the buffer zone is yet another option for the guests. The Sloth bears and leopards amongst the mammals and the over 360 odd species of birds are the Centre of attraction in Satpura.
Outdoor Activities
Let’s go on an adventure
The undulating terrains, extreme seasonal variations and the backwaters of the Tawa Reservoir provide for a number of activities for our guests.
Jeep drives
The most commonly taken activity at the satpura national park is the morning and afternoon drives in open jeeps.
Boating
Boating in the Denwa river is mostly a leisure activity where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of satpura hills from the river.
Camping
With Barn House you can not only avail the camping experience that Satpura Tiger Reserve offers in its core zones.