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Samode Safari Lodge is an exclusive luxury property, set in the heart of tiger country, on the edge of Bandhavgarh National Park. Conceived and operated by the Samode family, the first to offer boutique heritage hotels in Jaipur, this unique lodge was inspired by their safaris in Africa. Keeping with the norm of environment protection, the Samodes decided to build with the lightest possible environmental footprint and yet provide ultimate luxury to their discerning travellers.
Nestled within a pristine Sal forest, Samode Safari Lodge offers just 12 villas. Each independent villa is built in traditional design, inspired by the local village architecture, using eco-friendly materials. The décor is quintessentially Indian palatial-style; spacious rooms, polished wooden floors, four-poster beds draped in fine cotton sheets and antique style, darkwood furniture and artefacts. Dining is a gourmet affair with Relais & Châteaux trained chef serving Indian contemporary cuisine.
The focus of your stay at Samode Safari Lodge is of course to see the royal Bengal tiger in the Bandhavgarh National Park. There are two daily game drives with expert naturalist guides during which you are likely to see tigers, leopards, panthers, sloth bears, hyenas and gaur, as well as a wide variety of colourful birds. The lodge also organises sightseeing tours to ancient temples and nearby villages. For relaxation there is a sitting room with a library and an open-air swimming pool.
Amenities
Stay Samode Safari Lodge has just 12 luxurious villas, spread across an expansive property. All the rooms are elegantly furnished with polished wooden floors, four-poster beds and decorated with Indian artefacts, hand-woven rugs and colourful fabric. Spacious en-suite bathrooms come with a rolltop bath positioned beside a fireplace, and an open-air ‘bath court’ with another tub, perfect for balmy summer evenings. The rooms have all the mod-cons and a private veranda with daybeds.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Samode Safari Lodge but there are no specific facilities available. There are no inter-connecting rooms and we feel this camp is more suitable for older children with an interest in trekking and local history.
Dine Dining at Samode Safari Lodge is an indulgent treat and a daily surprise. Being a member of the Relais & Châteaux group, guests can expect contemporary style gourmet dishes. Meals are served in the main restaurant, around a pool or out in the bushes; each day a new romantic venue. Breakfast is an expansive spread, lunch is a 4-course continental affair and dinners are rather more elaborate with barbecue around a campfire and paired with excellent wines.
Relax For relaxation there is a beautiful swimming pool to cool off after a day out in the scotching Indian summer. Samode Safari Lodge also has an excellent Spa offering a limited range of Ayurvedic treatments and massages. Within the lodge are various spaces with comfy sofas to relax or you can take an afternoon nap on a bed placed amidst the surrounding farm.
Experience Bandhavgarh National Park is known for its large population of royal Bengal tigers, as well as white tigers, leopards and deer. Set within the tropical forest of Sal trees and close to the park, Samode Safari Lodge offers two daily game drives accompanied by expert naturalists into the tiger country. Other activities include nature and birdwatching tours in the surrounding area that is home to more than 25 species of mammals, 250 species of birds and about 80 types of butterflies.
Location The Samode Safari is located in the largely untouched Bandhavgarh National Park, in central Madhya Pradesh.
When to go Lodge is closed from 1st July until 15th October, as the national parks are closed due to monsoons. Tropical climate- hot during the day. Summer (April-June) temperatures can get as high as 43-44°C, while early mornings and evenings are pleasant (18-24°C). Night time winter temperatures vary between 02-20°C, whereas days are sunny and pleasant (October-March). Rainfall is heavy in the monsoon season (mid-June to September) and average rainfall is 1400 mm. The best time to travel is November to April.
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