Our Team

Shyamendra Singh
Shyamendra Singh or Vini Raja as he is popularly known as, manages the original wildlife tourism property at Panna - The Ken River Lodge and looks after the operations for Pugdundee Safaris. His flagship lodge and farm is located on the Ken River and has become a center for conservation education for tourists and local residents alike. With his wife Bhavna, who shares his passion for conservation, they manage various tourism, plantation forestry, and eco-development projects around the Panna National Park. Vini did his schooling from Mayo College, Ajmer and is a tourism graduate from Mumbai. He and Bhavna have made the lodge their permanent home from 1986 and stay adjoining the Panna National Park.

Shukra Kumal
Shukra Kumal hails from Chitwan village, Nepal. A farmer boy who joined the famous wildlife resort tiger tops Chitwan some 30 years as a simple room boy and under the guidance of Dr. Charles Mc Dougal evolved into a world renowned naturalist with specialization in tropical birds. He was part of the expeditions like the ones led by Tim and Inskipp to document birdlife of the Himalayas, which were later published into bird field guides. He joined the Pugdundee safaris in 2006 and has been based at Ken River Lodge. Shukru has been an indispensible part of local wildlife circuit, his enthusiasm, patience and willingness to share his knowledge with fellow colleagues and park guards have made Shukru Kumal a local wildlife icon

Rabindra Nayak
Rabindra is from Bhadrak, Odisha near Bhitarkanika. After completing his hotel training from IIHT, he worked in Mumbai and then shortly moved to Kanha. He has been working in central Indian jungles since 2007 and in 2015 he joined Pugdundee Safaris. He is currently the lodge manager at Ken River Lodge, Panna.

Rahul Rajawat
Rahul is from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and graduated in accountancy from Delhi in 2010. He has over 9 years experience in accounts & finance and currently looks after the same at Ken River Lodge. He also supports the lodge team in other required areas.