Bush Betta is one of the few truly Eco-friendly luxury resorts that give nature lovers more than they bargained for.

There are few sounds more terrifying than the roar of a full-grown tiger, telling the world it knows you're watching it. Or the rustle of leaves behind you, on a still, full moon night. As your pulse races and your heart skips a beat, you suddenly realise that it's just your tribal guide, pulling a fast one on you. Welcome to Bush Betta. This is a resort with a difference. Set in the lush environs of the Mangala valley, off the Bangalore-Mysore road, Bush Betta is a like a little lost world. Where every comfort imaginable, is at an arms reach away. Except your wild neighbours, who you have to make an effort to meet.

To begin with, Bush Betta has a location like no other forest resort in the country. Set in the heart of Bandipur game sanctuary, it is bound by the Cauvery river on one side and the Nagarhole National Park, the Mudumalai National Park and the B.R. Hills, form the other three boundaries. The Bandipur National Park is one of the few Parks in India to be brought under the umbrella of the Project Tiger movement. So, don't be surprised if Old Stripes has his eye on you…for dinner.

The resort is built to blend in with the environs and is Eco-friendly in every respect. From soundproof generators to biogas plants and solar panels, this is a lesson in self-sufficiency. Imagine having air-conditioned cottages with a fireplace, satellite TV, a private courtyard and waterfall and a 4,200 sq. foot swimming pool in the middle of the forest. However, Bush Betta's real charm lies in the neighbourhood. Nothing beats the thrill of sitting atop an elephant and surveying the forest as if it was your personal fiefdom. The animals are quite used to elephants and it's a great way to spot wildlife at close quarters. What's more, you can take a 6-day safari and stay in tents in the forest, just like the shikaris of yore used to!

"Although tigers are essentially shy animals, it's not uncommon to see one strolling across the track, a few metres from your jeep."

Bush Betta also has jeep safaris, which take you deep into the heart of Bandipur, to spot tigers and other wild animals. Although tigers are essentially shy animals, it's not uncommon to see one strolling across the track, a few metres from your jeep. On the other hand, you might just spot a herd of wild elephants, crashing through the undergrowth. Once you're out in the forest, it's up to the skill of your guide and your luck. The park has its fair share of wild life like tiger, gaur, sambar, chital, barking deer, wild dog, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, chousingha, malabar squirrel, green pigeon, jungle fowl, the great Indian Bustard and a variety of other birds and insects. So, you're bound to hit the jackpot some day!

Bush Betta also has another unique attraction. The resort has sole angling rights to a six-kilometre stretch of beach, along the Cauvery, where you can catch some of the largest fresh water fish in the world. This is the home of the great Mahseer, which grows up to 50-odd kilos in these waters. The Mahseer are real tough customers, with jaws that are strong enough to crack open crab shells! The real thrill of angling lies not so much in catching a whopper, but in reeling him in, without letting him snap the line. It's a cat and mouse game, of give and take, as minute by painful minute; the expert angler brings his prize closer to him. On an average, you could take up to a minute for every pound that the Mahseer weighs. So, if you catch a hundred-pounder, you'd better be prepared to do battle for a long, long time! Then, after all that effort, you get a few seconds to capture the moment for posterity, before you let him off the hook! Life, just doesn't seem fair does it? Unless you see it from the Mahseer's point of view, of course!

If life on the ground tends to get a little boring, how about staying in a tree house for a couple of days? Just on the banks of the Kabini reservoir, lies a resort with a difference. Tree Tops has 20 fully furnished tree houses overlooking the reservoir. Watch the first rays of the sun cast a golden glow over the water, as a koel or thrush serenades you. From Tree Tops, you can take a jeep into Bandipur National Park and watch Mother Nature at her glorious best. No matter, whether you decide to stay at Bush Betta or Kabini, you can be sure you'll have a few new friends before you return. Just remember, not to accept an invitation to dinner!