Sylvan lodge

Once you enter the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Theppakadu, the only options available, for visitors who are staying overnight are, the government-owned and managed accommodations. There are about 35-odd options available. Booking for all must be done online and prior to the visit. And, mind you, inside the precincts of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, no private players are allowed entry to provide any sort of accommodation facilities to the visitors. So that necessarily means that visitors have no option or choice but to be happy with what they get from these government-owned and operated accommodation facilities. Once you make your booking, you are pretty much on your own - you cannot seek any help or recourse from any of the authorities regarding your accommodation. That's how it works here !! So pray and hope for the best.||We had booked our overnight stay in Sylvan Lodge's 'Bee-Eater', for that was all that was available for the days we chose. The total cost for one night's stay came to a couple of hundred rupees shy of Rs. 4,000/-.||Only after we checked in did we realise that 'Sylvan Lodge' is a separate building housing four bath attached rooms, 'Fly Catcher', 'Barbet', 'Babbler' and 'Bee-Eater' named after the endemic bird species. The building is a rather long walk from the main 'Reception and Interpretation Centre' across uneven terrain. The elderly and small children will find the trek rather laborious and tiring. A vehicle would be required. The common restaurant for all the visitors, called 'Banyan', is the adjacent building which is about 200 meters away from 'Sylvan Lodge'.||The best part of 'Sylvan Lodge' is just across the building, the thick yellowish-brown Moyar river flows. The constant gurgling sound of the running water is calming and therapeutic ! Also, given the fact that the place has no mobile signals (barring BSNL/Jio), makes for an undisturbed and relaxing time.||The rooms are very small and contain a double bed (two single cots put together), a two-door wardrobe, a wooden table and chair and a wall-mounted full-length mirror. The bathroom is almost as large as the room itself. Thankfully, the single window in the room is insect-proofed. The facilities, at best are basic and functional, without being extravagant or luxurious.||The cleanliness of the pillows, pillowcase, the mattress, the bedsheet and the bedsheets provided for covering leave a lot to be desired; they were stained, dirty and torn. The bathroom was ill-kept. And the water which came was thick yellowish-brown in colour and was tasting terrible. When we enquired about the dirty stinking water, we were told unapologetically that it is the same Moyar river water which is diverted to all the rooms !! So the visitors are treated to a free, organic mud bath, at no extra cost - just like the elephants there !!||Another thing is the whole area seems to have some major electricity problems. Most of the evening there was no power at all. There was even a candle left on the table. The whole night, there was very little power, meaning, the fan was spinning in slow motion. The geyser in the bathroom of course was not working and no lights were burning. We were told that daily power cuts are more the norm than an exception. So if you are going, go prepared to spend your evenings in total darkness !! It adds to the excitement !!||Overall, the place is barely bearable. With the main agenda for most serious visitors being the jungle safaris for animal watching in the wild, besides the Theppakadu Elephant Camp where domesticated elephants are reared and maintained, the accommodation is just an unavoidable inconvenience. ||The government can definitely do a lot better to the place than this. The plaque outside the building says 'Sylvan Lodge' was inaugurated on 18 April 1970. That effectively makes the building 54 years old. And it begs for renovation and restoration. But since none of the powers that be are obviously taking any initiative to improve the facilities and amenities, it remains decrepit and doddering.

Once you enter the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Theppakadu, the only options available, for visitors who are staying overnight are, the government-owned and managed accommodations. There are about 35-odd options available. Booking for all must be done online and prior to the visit. And, mind you, inside the precincts of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, no private players are allowed entry to provide any sort of accommodation facilities to the visitors. So that necessarily means that visitors have no option or choice but to be happy with what they get from these government-owned and operated accommodation facilities. Once you make your booking, you are pretty much on your own - you cannot seek any help or recourse from any of the authorities regarding your accommodation. That's how it works here !! So pray and hope for the best. Only after we checked in did we realise that 'Sylvan Lodge' is a separate building housing four bath attached rooms, 'Fly Catcher', 'Barbet', 'Babbler' and 'Bee-Eater' named after the endemic bird species. The government can definitely do a lot better to the place than this. The plaque outside the building says 'Sylvan Lodge' was inaugurated on 18 April 1970. That effectively makes the building 54 years old. And it begs for renovation and restoration. But since none of the powers that be are obviously taking any initiative to improve the facilities and amenities, it remains decrepit and doddering.

The rooms were a bit ok but a room freshner Or something could have been nice. Electricity was very poor there is no current in the afternoons. Also to fetch water we need to move to a different building even in nights which is haunting due to the forest.

Good location and great opportunities wasted. The so called Admin who never ever showed his face or contacted, didn't provided any services but pulled the plug on power supplies even before we checked out of the place. Good example of how govt and the tax payers money going to the drain. No proper water supply, none showed up to guide or provide any so called room services. People booked in the adjacent facilities shared their ordeals on being stuck without proper water supply and inadequate services and facilities after paying a premium for the rooms.

Poorly maintained room with untidy bathrooms with no lock. There is no guarantee for current, if it goes in the night,it wont return. Poor electricals. The only plus of this property is the location! Heart of the jungle!

This a Tamil Nadu Govt run lodge in the middle of Mudumalai forest. Very few rooms so need to book in advance. I had been to this lodge 40 years before with my parents when I was in school . Staying in the middle of the forest is a great experience. Jungle noise can be heard all through the night. We also saw monkeys, deer, peacock, elephants etc near our room itself. There is a stream just in front and nice view. Stay once in a life time to get the experience. Food is available at the government run canteen nearby. Limited Timing so order in advance. It is inside jungle so do not expect city style amenities. No wifi or not even mobile range ( Airtel) . Hence it was enjoyable without any disturbance.

Good atmosphere but not great management by forest department

You have to book in advance, great location