Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge

If you're looking for a tranquil break from the city, fantastic wildlife sightings with skilled guides and the warmest hospitality, look no further than this gem of a lodge. Situated right in the forest on the very edge of the Tala core zone, the peace and silence surround you the minute you enter. The cottages are simple but elegant and very comfortable, and the food is delicious and flavorful home-style local fare, freshly prepared every day using local produce. Most importantly, the entire team, under the leadership of lodge managers Sadhvi and Harsh, are warm, friendly, helpful and committed to making all their guests feel special and welcome. For instance, a large family party were the other guests during my stay (as a solo traveller), and over two nights the team adeptly organised a birthday party and big sit-down dinner for them, and two beautiful private lantern-lit dinners for me on the terrace and in the gazebo, having astutely noticed that I enjoyed quiet meals while reading a book!|As for the safaris - having a good naturalist/guide to accompany you is absolutely vital, and Satish (one of the camp's two naturalists, who accompanied me on all my drives) is truly the best guide I've ever had among all the parks I've visited. With a deep and instinctive knowledge of the forest that belies his young age and comes from having grown up in one of the forest villages, trusting him and letting him choose the path in the forest, and having the patience to wait and watch when he advised it, gave me some the best sightings I have ever had. Over the course of six drives, I spotted several tigers as well as sloth bears, elephants and even the extremely elusive leopard and jackal, along with a whole lot of beautiful birds and other animals. Besides which, the park itself offers some absolutely stunning views and vistas, including my favorite, Dabhadol, a gorgeous lake in the middle of the forest that is actually soul-healing in its beauty and serenity.|A few tips: This is the first summertime safari trip I've done, and the sightings were far better than other trips I've done in winter, so if you can bear the heat, it's well worth it to visit between April and mid June. Also, the forest department allows limited slots for safaris, which open a month in advance and sell out in seconds, so make sure you plan your trip at least a couple of months in advance so the camp can make your safari bookings. The bookings are made in ith the names and IDs of each guest, so nobody else can go on those drives, even if the guests can't make it. Finally, the most important thing to remember is that a national park is NOT a zoo. The jungle belongs to the animals, first and foremost, and we are the visitors. Sightings are never guaranteed, however - going in with an open and curious mind, to see whatever the forest wants to show you, rather than obsessing over tigers is the best way to have a good trip, and honestly the universe seems to reward that attitude with good sightings too!|This was easily one of the best trips I've ever been on. 100/10 would recommend!

a month ago

We stayed at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge for two nights, and it was truly one of the most memorable wildlife experiences we have had. The lodge blends beautifully into the natural surroundings, and you can tell from the start that conservation and sustainability are at the heart of what they do. The staff were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, always ready to share insights about the park and wildlife. The rooms are comfortable, with thoughtful touches that make you feel close to nature without compromising on comfort. Meals were homely, fresh, and delicious—often served under the stars, which added a magical touch. I especially appreciated the lodge’s eco-friendly practices and how they involve the local community. It’s clear they care about both the environment and the guest experience.

3 months ago

Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge was a wonderful experience. It is superbly located, near Tala Gate and not far from the other gate as well. Rooms are very comfortable, clean and the decor light and pleasing. Food was delicious, the staff always on hand and ready to serve with a smile. The icing on the cake: our naturalist Alwyn. He was really knowledgeable, happy to answer all our questions, accompanied us on all our safaris and went out of his way to look after us. A five star rating for him and the Jungle Lodge.

2 months ago

Excellent hospitality, beautiful property and amazing staff. Feel of the place was so organic, everywhere birds, flowers and fruits. Super delicious food as per your request. Everything was homemade and wholesome. Our Naturalist Allwyn was very professional and full of knowledge. Each and every staff member was kind, efficient and professional. Love the place and its vibe. Highly recommend for photographers. |Rooms are specious. Jugal atmosphere. Located near Tala gate and town. Packed breakfast for safari every morning. Laundry service is available. Barbecue night was awesome. |Can’t wait to go back again.

2 months ago

Our three nights at this jungle lodge were truly a highlight of our vacation in India! Every dimension of our stay was superior from the safaris to the delicious food, welcoming staff, and beautiful accommodations. We enjoyed a stellar level of hospitality and expert guidance from Sadhvi that enabled us to see a tigress stalking deer, leopards, a flying squirrel, and many other iconic animals amidst the beautiful scenery of the national park. Evening gatherings before dinner each night with other guests were also most enjoyable. And the delicious cake that the staff gave me for my birthday was most appreciated. We recommend this lodge enthusiastically and with no reservations!

5 months ago

Our trip here was fabulous in every way. The facilities are comfortable and attractive and beautifully kept. The food was home cooked and mostly home grown and delicious. Our safari guide Alwyn was first class, passionate about wildlife, knowledgeable and interesting and we saw a tiger! The early starts which don’t come naturally to me were well worth it. We did three amazing safaris. On top of all this - all the staff were so attentive to our every need, polite, helpful and kind. Perfect few days.

5 months ago

Had such a lovely stay at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge. The primary reason initially to stay here was it's accessibility to the core jungle which was right adjacent. However, after staying there for 8 nights and 9 days, I have many more reasons to call it as the best place by far to stay after having lodged at other luxury resorts in Bandhavgarh over these years. The warm hospitality, caring attitude, smiling faces all around, tasty food, round the clock service and very well kept rooms are reasons why I would love to stay there again. Sadhvi & Harsh are among some of the best hosts we've met and took great care of us by paying attention to the minutest of our requirement. It genuinely felt like home and the people there gave us commendable service. Thank you to the entire team and we will see you again!

3 months ago

This was the 2nd lodge of our trip to Central India and we were made to feel so very welcome. |All the staff were incredibly helpful and our room was beautiful, with a balcony that was very welcome for an afternoon rest !|Blankets and hot water bottles were provided for the early morning game drive and a delicious breakfast was also provided .|The evenings were very relaxed and varied. You could join fellow guests for drinks if you wanted to and dinner was served in a variety of settings, barbecue, roof top dining and an evening in the communal area. |The food was exceptional, especially on our last night when one guest was celebrating his birthday, they even made him a cake!||I would not hesitate to recommend this lodge, worth its 5 star rating.

5 months ago