At Maruni Sanctuary you don’t just experience Nepali hospitality, you get a taste of love, care and devotion towards you and your loved ones.

Maruni Sanctaury Lodge is located to the south-west of Saunderban and next to Kumrose community forest, in the outskirt of Chitwan National Park. It is 22 km away from the domestic airport and 2.5 km from the tourist bus park at Sauraha. A humble establishment which chooses to embody the local culture in all its facets it’s a welcoming site after a long journey. Checking in was a breeze, with the smiling faces of the staff you just wander if you've met them before. 

A wary traveller has an array of rooms to choose from. The cottage rooms built in jungle style architecture, each with a patio is perfect if you wish to experience home style comfort. The 12 cottage rooms come equipped with bathroom amenities, slippers, mineral water, and free Wi-Fi. For those who wish to have a much more secluded abode, the Hunters Den is the perfect pick. Nestled in the forest area of the hotel it is completely secluded from the rest of the rooms. The three hunters den come equipped with the same amenities as the cottage room, but also boast a splendid view of the Machan and a pond quite often visited by the alligators from the nearby river. The Long House features a total of 10 rooms, sharing the long house patio. The rooms are much more spacious and perfect for a family night in.If one fancies a suite room, then the Karna's Cabin is the one to go for. The totals of six suite rooms feature a spacious interior with a in room sitting and a balcony with a view. 

Exhausted from the five hour commute from Kathmandu to Chitwan, the team of Maruni at the bus station were a welcome sight. Arriving at the premises, which to be honest would go unnoticed if you were just taking a casual stroll down the lane, as it embodied the local architecture. I believe it didn’t wish to stand out from the crowd, like many of the other establishments at the national park region. 
With the welcome drink served, and the cottage room chosen it was finally time to relax and take in the fresh air as it is a novelty in Kathmandu. The estate was massive, with most of it being dominated by pristine flora. It was not just home to us travellers who wished to experience the park, but also to hundreds of species of fauna who call these lands home. I was content knowing, that the establishment that I reside in, understands the essence of sustainable development and environmental integration. 

The dinner was more than what I had expected. The earth watch restaurant, a picturesque dinning hall, in sync with the local architecture had a warm ambience that soothed travellers. Talking to the team, I was informed that all the ingredients were locally sourced and the taste justified that statement in full. 

The wake up call at six am, at first felt like a drag as all I wanted to do was sleep more which normally doesn’t happen. We set out on your jungle venture, guided by the expertise of Sashim Chaudhary who has been associated with the establishment since its foundation. He along with a companion form the park office, ensured our safety in the vast wilderness and gave us ample knowledge of what surrounded us. 

The jungle walk, for us city dwellers take us right into the moments of Jurassic Park. An amalgam of excitement, fear and euphoria keep us at edge and the jungle that never seems to end at times we wish it never ends. 

Stopping by the river side, for breakfast neatly packed with love by the team, we set out yet again. After hours of trailing the majestic jungles, we made our way back to Maruni. A brief stop for lunch and we out again, on your merry adventure this time on four wheels. One has the option to choose between a Jeep safari and an elephant safari. We choose the comfort of a Jeep, which I later regretted as most of my encounters with the wildlife have been on the back of a living beast. Blessed with a guide, we meet during our jungle walk in the morning who had ample experience and knowledge of the safari trails.

The safari was disappointing I must say, wouldn’t any be if you didn’t spot the king of the jungle ? 
A quick stop at the gharial breeding centre, I was amazed to how they had maintained the establishment and put in new additions as well. The return trip was a time of deep contemplation of how if one perseveres progress can be achieved. Returning to our adobe, refreshing ourself with a shower and warm tea. We set out to explore the vast estate of Maruni. It felt like a microcosm of the park in tune with its environment provided sanctuary to not just us but the flora and fauna as well. 

We savoured the final dinner with all our taste buds in a dining room filled with enthusiastic travelers enjoying the delights of the local produce prepared with much love and attention. The night was not over yet, the Tharu cultural dance was set to begin. As the drums started to beat, the aura of the main square came alive. The guests in the long house, settled down in the patio with their cups and we all rejoiced in the merry beats and sway of the dance. 

Humming the beats, I walked back to our cottage and wished to call it a night. With a heavy heart, I rested by head as it knew this would be the final night in this sanctuary. The morning, we had to rush as our bus was to leave at eight. With a warm breakfast, I bid farewell to all those who made my stay a delightful one. 

A tranquil sanctum was Maruni, where one is able to rejoice in the land it calls home. Every aspect of the establishment had an essence of the land. You are with people who know of the land, as they grew up walking these trails. At Maruni you are at home, you are in a sanctum build by individuals who love the land, who cherish their roots and strive to preserve it. They bestow upon you knowledge of the beautiful park, and take you on a journey of discovery.