A family run eco-lodge nestling in 35 acres of reclaimed land. An oasis of peace, tranquility, and gracious hospitality. An opportunity to explore the Chambal Valley. River Safari for Gharials, Marsh crocodiles, Gangetic river dolphins, and Indian skimmers. Jeep safaris for Black-buck & Sarus cranes. Camel safari to Fort Ater, and excursions to the medieval temple complex at Bateshwar - site of the second largest animal fair in India (Sonepur in Bihar being the largest). Nature walks and village walks.
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What a beautiful location!! Far away from all the noise of traffic horns. It is a real oasis for nature and bird lovers. The rooms are quite spacious, beautiful, with lots of light and windows with mosquito nets, so you can sleep with the windows open. The staff is extremely friendly. There is no WiFi in the room, but there is WiFi in the lobby. Sanitary facilities are very neat. A professional guide is available for the safaris. They know the fauna and flora inside out. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served outside when desired, sometimes they do it automatically. The food is tasty and it may or may not be in buffet form. Ideal starting point for spotting the Sarus cranes. I think a 2 night stay is too short. Three nights would be ideal.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Wij zaten in de kamer "spoonbill", maar alle kamers zijn goed gesitueerd.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I loved this eco-lodge set apart from noisy city streets. The two bedroom unit was charmingly decorated and included a front porch with two chairs and a table for outdoor activities.
The food (mostly vegetarian) was outstanding and plentiful and the service was second to none. Special shout out to the kind bartender who I befriended while there.
Although there’s wasn’t wifi in my room, there was wifi in the common area near the restaurant and bar. So I spent a lot of time there.
During my two week guided visit to India on an Explore tour, this was my favorite hotel!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
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We had a good stay at the Lodge and it was a welcome break from all the touring we had done. Our 'room' was massive and very well equipped - it was also lovely to have a small garden area. The staff and owner are very welcoming and we really liked the eco ethos and wish the team the best of luck with spreading the word. Unfortunately the nights were cold whilst we were there so we didn't get to to enjoy eating outside by the fire. This was a shame as we weren't too keen on the inside dining area plus the breakfast was a bit disappointing.
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Date of stay: November 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This place is abode for Nature lovers or for those who really care for environment. It is huge property (out of which 80 to 90% is donated to nature to let it grow on her own). All meals were extremely delicious and properly cooked with little spices and little sugar. All bakery, pickles and jaggery were also made in-house and were very tasty. The feel of the property is just calming, soothing and amazing. One should not miss Chambal river safari, specially for those who love to see ghariyals, crocodiles, turtles, and variety of birds. Whole property is no plastic zone and filled with ecofriendly and heritage items. We can't forget Ram Pratap ji and Anu ji who really care for their guests, property and the environment. Someone may find it costly but every single penny is worth to spend. Nearby places to visit are Bateshwar temple, Jain temple, holipura village and of course chambal river safari.
Note: Don't get confuse it with Chamble wildlife safari lodge which is different and below standard property.
5 star dil se for "Chambal Safari Lodge- Mela Kothi" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ram Pratap Singh, Owner at Mela Kothi - The Chambal Safari Lodge
Responded 2 Feb 2022
Thank you very much Jai Vardhan V for your exhaustive review and warm appreciation. It is a joy to meet and host like-minded individuals; a particular treat to hear your soulful flute notes as they wafted through & mingled with the birdsong. Magical. Thank you - Dil Se! We wish you safe & eco-friendly travels. Team Chambal Safari.
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After being confined to our home since March, we were looking for a quick getaway from Delhi which was also safe (given the scourge of the coronavirus pandemic). We were looking for a property which had standalone cottage-style rooms, no central air-conditioning and which allowed for outdoor dining. Several friends (including friends in the hospitality industry) had recommended Mela Kothi to us, and since it fit our requirements, we decided to take the plunge and head out for a short holiday.
Any trepidation we felt was set at rest when our bags were sanitized on arrival. Seating in the outdoor dining area was appropriately distanced. We were also briefed that masks were required if we were using the indoor dining area. We noted that the staff was scrupulous about wearing masks while serving guests.
Mela Kothi sits in the embrace of a green woodland which has been allowed to grow in the midst of the surrounding farmland, with rooms spread out across the sprawling property. The trees are visited by several species of birds, and one can often spot a hare or a mongoose scurrying in the bushes. You can choose from the lodge's various activities and excursions, or just lounge around the gardens while nursing endless cups of "masala chai". Anu and RP, who have built this lodge from the ground up from the ruins of their ancestral property, make you feel completely at home, and go out of their way to help (right from the time you make enquiries for a booking). This is a perfect destination for those looking to escape Delhi, and (given that Agra is about an hour away) for those looking for a lovely place to spend a few days in the midst of nature after visiting the Taj Mahal.
For birdwatchers and wildlifers, the river safari on the Chambal River is not to be missed!
We are already planning our next trip, and can't wait to be back!
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Date of stay: October 2020
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Room Tip:Choose Imli Serai if travelling with kids, for the spacious room, extra day bed and proximity to...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ram Pratap Singh, Owner at Mela Kothi - The Chambal Safari Lodge
Responded 9 Mar 2021
Thank you 304Karanl for your exhaustive and enthusiastic review. It was after much careful thought and planning that we decided to reopen this season. Reading your review makes us glad we did! It has been a joy to share our verdant environment and to begin the process of re-connecting with friends old and new! Take care and stay well. Team Chambal Safari
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We had a fantastic stay at Meta Kothi Chambal Safari Lodge. We enjoyed the relaxing country atmosphere and the most hospitable welcome extended by Anu. It felt as though we were staying with friends!
The Chambal river safari was wonderful. We saw an abundance of gharials and crocodiles, together with all manner of bird life. Our eagle-eyed guide was able to spot unusual species at great distance. The best thing about it was the tranquil environment which we could enjoy without being disturbed by other visitors.
We also had a visit to Holipur village and to the temples at Bateshwar, each giving a different view on local life.
Evening drinks around the campfire added to the convivial atmosphere. We also enjoyed lunch under the shade of the trees.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:This hotel would suit anyone looking for a different experience from that offered by chain...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ram Pratap Singh, Owner at Mela Kothi - The Chambal Safari Lodge
Responded 22 Mar 2024
Thank you @Tim S - that is by far the nicest compliment we could have received! It was a pleasure having you both over, sharing our home and showing you around our little corner. And, of course chatting about our hopes and concerns for the future. Your interest and friendly charm was greatly appreciated by the entire team, and we hope you continue to enjoy life and travel. Team Mela Kothi-Chambal Safari
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We stayed for 1 night and arrived at lunchtime so we could get in an afternoon boat safari and also a morning safari the following day before driving to Delhi.
The accommodation is a bit tired and not to western standards but the reason you are coming here is not for the rooms but for the wildlife. The hotel has its own boats and we loved seeing the enormous Crocodiles and of course, the magnificent Gharials!
The food was surprisingly good and we enjoyed our pre-safari lunch. We wandered around the small grounds and saw some interesting birds in the trees (see photos).
The owner kindly arranged a PCR test for us on the day of departure as we were flying to Goa and the entry requirements were fluctuating day on day.
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Date of stay: December 2022
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ram Pratap Singh, Owner at Mela Kothi - The Chambal Safari Lodge
Responded 20 Mar 2024
Thank you KV1234 for your detailed review. We are glad you enjoyed your wildlife experience and were pleasantly surprised by the food. The team are well pleased with the compliment given the effort made to source and prepare the daily changing menu. The rooms are decorated to reflect the location, a heritage country home rather than fancy chain hotel. We hope you had a lovely time in Goa and wish you safe travels. Team Chambal Safar-Mela Kothi
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Overall a very good Place to stay it's exclusive because of limited cottages & Personally taken care by owners/ Host, Amenities and standard of cottages are worth the price. Pros : Owners are very much welcoming and have looked at the each of the details of things in a very fine manner. Place is located at near to Village though in secluded place surrounded by nature and few wildlife animal which can be explored during nights and early morning with naturlists. Naturalists Mr Bacchu Singh is very kind and Generous person and have good knowledge on wildlife especially related to birds. Chambal River Safari is the best of the trip amazing peaceful, beautiful neat and clean worth visiting. I would give 5/5. Black buck Safari - it's OK but who has never seen black buck can see that. Batesawar Temple- its decent visit for religious persons.
Cons : Pricing of Lunch and dinner are bit on the higher side if compare to the number of dishes they have but can give a go ahead as they are sitting in bit secluded place. Suggestion : As this place is mostly visited by Foreigners , I would still recommend also to have more inclination towards Indian menu or at least towards Indian palate. overall a decent food i would give 3/5 for food.
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Date of stay: October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ram Pratap Singh, Owner at Mela Kothi - The Chambal Safari Lodge
Responded 9 Mar 2021
Thank you Pramil_agarwal for your detailed review. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit with us and appreciate your feedback. It was a pleasure having you all over and we wish you safe travels and good health. Take care and stay well. Team Chambal Safari
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It was an absolute pleasure to stay at the Mela Kothi, hosted by the gracious Mrs and Mr Singh and the wonderful staff at the property. The campus is sprawling with many many trees and open spaces. The rooms are very well spread out, we stayed in the main wing and our room was very well appointed and there were no hassles at all. There was even a tube of odomos in the room, which I must point out we did not need. I have seen a few reviews saying lizards in room etc and I must point out this is not an urban setting but a rural one in the wilderness and I would be very surprised if there were no lizards or insects around ! Please when you visit do the chambal river safari for sure , it was a different and a wonderful experience and it helped to have a very good guide in Gajendra. The food at the lodge was very tasty. Both airtel and jio work decently all over the property. There are no televisions anywhere and I am very thankful to the owners for this. This really is not the place to watch tv. I hope to be back soon at this lovely place ..
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:There is ample car parking within the property and the roads all the way are great
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ram Pratap Singh, Owner at Mela Kothi - The Chambal Safari Lodge
Responded 19 Mar 2024
Thank you for your detailed review Alok P. It was lovely meeting you and your mother, and we are so glad you enjoyed your time with us. Delighted that you enjoyed your break from television! We hope you will continue to enjoy your travels, and hope to see you again in Chambal. Ram Pratap Singh & Team Mela Kothi-Chambal Safari
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Wasted one day from our three days holiday after a year gap. We were not given the three rooms together though we booked a month back and on top of that the owner had the guts to say that she is sorry and she can give us the refund knowing very well that there is no place to go anywhere nearby. It is overpriced . Bees and lizards in the room were scary. Breakfast served was nothing great. I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ram Pratap Singh, Owner at Mela Kothi - The Chambal Safari Lodge
Responded 9 Mar 2021
Thank you mamtarun for taking the time to review us, and promising not to recommend us to anyone. Much appreciated. We pride ourselves on our willingness to go the extra mile to ensure each guest enjoys their time in Chambal, and have the ‘guts’ to accept a fault and take every corrective measure in our power. We choose not to advertise and our reputation rests on word-of-mouth referrals and recommendations. There has been a very clear expectation mismatch here. We apologized profusely for being able to provide only two cottages next to each other with one (upgraded) 50 metres away, all nestling within the extensive woodland. Every effort was made to make you comfortable, cater to your requirements, and to invite you to join with the rest of the guests in enjoying the lively conversation around the evening fire, only to be met with sullen negativity. This review was expected as soon as your demand for discounts over and above the one already extended to you was turned down. A great disappointment indeed. We wish you safe future travels. Team Chambal Safari
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As far as I know they are the only people who offer this safari. They will provide transport if you don't have it, at extra cost. BTW, the river safari was awesome and if you're interested in birdlife, it's well worth having a naturalist with you.
KarenKMG, The Lodge contact details are on their website. Tripadvisor is not letting me paste the exact link, but you can look for CHAMBAL and SAFARI and LODGE via google and the website will come up. The 'contact' page will get you the info you need.
Best.
There are more places to choose from in the Agra area.
PRICE RANGE
₹14,573 - ₹30,463 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
IndiaUttar PradeshAgra DistrictAgra
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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