Jaagir Lodge

Rajasthan & the North

Rating: Deluxe

highlights

Explore forest reserves filled with wildlife
Spend time with Tharu tribes people
See swamp deer, tiger and one-horned rhino
Relax in the Safari Club
Take boat trips, nature walks and bike rides
Choice of rooms, suites and villas

Jaagir Lodge overview

Jaagir Lodge is perfectly placed for exciting safaris in the forest reserves of Dudhwa, leisurely cruises on the River Sharda and meeting local Tharu tribes people. The gracious lodge was built in the 1940s and has been carefullly converted to provided spacious accommodation. The Safari Club is the social core of the lodge where you mingle with other guests and resident naturalists. There's an entertainments room with games and a TV and the lodge is set in several hectares of grounds. Meals showcase local cuisine with international dishes also offered, and private dining can be arranged.

There is a choice of rooms and suites in the main lodge, plus several villas. All are stylishly decorated and furnished.

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve consists of three parks: Dudhwa National Park, and Kishanpur and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuaries, which together have an impressive variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. The national park is renowned for its large numbers of swamp deer or barasingha which constitute around half of the entire world population. It is also home to growing numbers of one-horned rhino plus elephant, leopard, gharial and some 500 species of birds. Kishanpur's forests and meadows are rich in animal and bird life, and you can explore Katarniaghat by jeep and boat. From Jaagir Lodge you can also access Pilibhit Tiger Reserve with its dense forests, grasslands and rivers.

Safaris can be complimented with nature walks in the lodge grounds, bird watching trips and bicycle rides. You can visit local villages to meet members of the Tharu tribe and spend time finding out about their daily lives, customs, crafts, music and cuisine. At the lodge you are welcome to take part in cooking classes, yoga sessions and learn about current conservation projects.

Jaagir Lodge is a property of The Ultimate Travelling Camp.

details

Open: Jaagir Lodge is open from mid-December to mid-June, coinciding with the opening dates of Dudhwa National Park.

Location: The lodge is 7kms northwest of Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, in the Terai region near the Nepalese border. The main building is a farmstead, surrounded by orchards. There are almost 3 hectares of grounds in total. The nearest airport is at Lucknow, about a 5 hour drive away, and there's an airstrip 12kms from the lodge for private charter flights.

Rooms: The 3 luxury rooms and 4 luxury suites are located in the main building, and there are 2 separate guest brick villas, and a further 4 pavilion villas. All have air conditioning, tea and coffee maker, minifridge with free soft drinks, safe, phone to contact reception, en-suite bathroom with toiletries and hairdryer. Dressing gowns and slippers are provided. Suites have an indoor siting area and a small balcony. Each of the villas can sleep up to 5 people, and has indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. There are plans to build 4 more villas in the grounds.

Activities: Take wildlife drives (the lodge has its own private gate into the national park), go for guided nature walks, visit Tharu villages and explore the area by bike and boat. You can visit Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary abiut an hour's drive from the lodge, and take a full day trip to Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary to explore by jeep and boat. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve can also be visited on a day trip from the lodge. You can take part in cooking classes led by the lodge’s chefs. Photography lessons and star gazing sessions can be organised. Yoga classes are available. Those staying for several days can take a full day trip to the 19th century Frog Temple of Oel. Some activities incur an extra charge.

Facilities: The Safari Club is the main social centre of the lodge with lounge and bar areas. There is also an entertainments centre with board games and a TV, also the venue for talks by the resident naturalists guides. There is a small outdoor swimming pool.

Dining: Meals are based on traditional local cuisine, with continental food also available. Private lunches and dinners can be arranged. Vegetables and herbs are grown in the lodge’s organic garden.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome. Children’s meals can be arranged.

Health: We recommend malaria prophylactics for travel to India.

Communication: There is Wi-Fi internet access.

Notes: Jaagir Lodge is part of The Ultimate Travelling Camp group of properties.