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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 young son
Sumer is the 'chief
naturalist-in-charge'!
The Mela Kothi now offers two luxurious bedrooms, a cosy sitting-room and library and numerous interesting verandahs and courtyards to read, reflect and relax.
(Find out more about our conservation profile and eco-friendly practices) |
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Our Accommodation:
With an eco-friendly philosophy, the
Chambal Safari Lodge combines the natural warmth of local homes with the comfort of modern amenities.
The
Chambal Safari lodge offers twelve rooms.
There are eight independent 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.
The restored Mela kothi has two large well-appointed bedrooms with front and rear verandahs and access to the library across the pebbled courtyard. The period furniture and furnishings bring alive the stately grace of this heritage building and provide a tantalising glimpse into an earlier era.
There are two small and cosy bedrooms – a twin and a single - in the restored Stables nestling under the bougainvillea creepers. |
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Electricity:
The
Lodge is located on a
rural feeder line and
the electricity supply
can be very erratic.
Generators deliver
complete back-up in the
mornings and evenings.
We provide torches,
candles and hurricane
lanterns in all the
rooms. |
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Water:
We have running hot and cold water. There are hot water geysers installed in all the bathrooms.
Our water source at present is deep bore wells at 220 ft and 440ft. 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 just 20 liters. |
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Our Meals:
The Lodge kitchens serve authentic ‘home cooked’ meals with fresh organically grown ingredients. Most of the produce is from our own
farms or procured directly from the local farmers. Our recipes include local specialties that have been fine-tuned over generations. |
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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, Jungle Cats, Foxes, Jungle Hares, Fruit Bats, Hedgehogs and the Indian Striped Hyenas. With a checklist of over 180 birds, birding in the Lodge grounds starts with the ‘wake-up call’ of the Barbets & Babblers, and continues through the day with the birdsong of the hornbills, koels and treepies and well into the evening with the foraging fruits bats and hooting owls.
(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:25-35 °C Night:10-20 °C October, November, February and March
• Day:10-20 °C Night: 2-10 °C December and January
• Day:25-35 °C Night:15-25 °C 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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