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The
Mela Kothi –
Chambal Safari Lodge
- is an oasis of calm
and tranquillity
nestling in the midst of
a sprawling 35 acre
heritage plantation,
surrounded by family
owned farmland. The
plantation is part of a
much larger area that
was used by the
Zamindars (feudal
Chieftains) of Jarar to
conduct their annual
cattle fair (Mela).
After decades of
neglect, the Mela Kothi
and its grounds have
been lovingly restored.
Ram Pratap Singh and his
wife Anu have turned
their inheritance into a
charming eco-lodge,
where their eight year old son Sumer is the 'chief
naturalist-in-charge'!
(Find out more about our
conservation profile and
eco-friendly practices) |
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Our
Accommodation:
By combining the
natural warmth
of local homes
with the comfort
of modern
amenities, we
have managed to
create cosy,
eco-friendly
accommodation.
The Chambal
Safari lodge
offers a total
of ten rooms.
There are eight
independent
en-suite
cottages with
private
verandahs in the
woodland around
the restored Mela Kothi. The
twin bedded
en-suite rooms
are comfortable,
colourful, airy
and spacious.
Large windows
allow fresh air
and natural
light into the
rooms whilst the
sloping roofs
with canopies
add warmth and
charm. We also
offer one large
bedroom each in
the restored
Stable Block and
in the Mela
Kothi |
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Electricity:
The Lodge is located on
a rural feeder line,
which means that the
electricity supply can
be very erratic. In case
of a power failure, the
Lodge generator is
operated for an hour in
the morning and evening
to power the geysers and
ensure a supply of hot
water in the bathrooms.
We provide candles and
hurricane lanterns in
all the rooms. |
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Water:
We have running cold
water. There are geysers
installed in all the
bathrooms but are
dependent on the erratic
electric supply. We
ensure a supply of hot
water in the mornings
and evenings by
operating a generator.
If all else fails, we
supply a bucket of hot
water on request in the
morning and in the
evening.
We
are a water scarce area.
The water table is
falling steadily, and
our water source at
present is deep bore
wells at 220 ft.
Although showers are
available in all the
bathrooms, we recommend
bucket baths, as an
average shower utilizes
over 100 liters of
water, whereas bucket
baths consume no more
than 20 liters. |
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Our Meals:
The Lodge kitchens serve
authentic ‘home cooked’
meals with fresh
organically grown
ingredients. Our cooks
have been in the family
for generations and our
recipes include local
specialties that have
been fine-tuned over the
years. |
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Our Team:
Our team members are a
highly motivated,
enthusiastic and
friendly group of people
from the local
community.
(Find out
more about us) |
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Our Resident Wildlife:
The sprawling grounds of
the Chambal Safari Lodge
are home to numerous
birds and small mammals.
Evening Nature Walks
around the Lodge, with
our resident Naturalist,
are the best time to go
looking for Palm Civet
Cats, Foxes, Jungle
Hares, Fruit Bats,
Hedgehogs and the Indian
Striped Hyenas. With a
checklist of over 178
birds, birding in the
Lodge grounds starts
with the ‘wake call’ of
the Barbets & Babblers,
and continues through
the day and well into
the evening.
(See our
Checklist) |
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Our Operating Season:
1st October to 30th
April
Temp/Climate:
The daytime temperatures
vary a great deal, but
it is usually warm in
the sun. The
temperatures dip around
mid-December, with the
onset of morning and
evening fog, and the
days and nights remain
quite cold till the end
of January.
The temperature ranges
between:
• Day:25-30 oC
Night:10-15 oC October,
November, February and
March
• Day:15-20 oC Night:
2-10 oC December and
January
• Day:25-35 oC
Night:15-20 oC April
Clothing and equipment:
We recommend all weather
walking shoes, jackets
and hats. We advice all
our guests to bring
pocket torches.
*Image of Civet Cats
courtesy Dhritiman
Mukherjee. |
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