Mela Camp - Chambal Wildlife Safari Lodge

One of the best Safari visits till date.. Such a mesmerizing view of Chambal river adjoining 3 states UP, MP and Rajasthan...Know this place from childhood as heard about in movies for bandits. |However,Breathtaking beauty and feel of the water in it's purest form is truly exceptional.. But the highlight of the visit taking 1 and half hr drive from Agra is worth the watch of countless Crocodiles and alligators to a distance of few feet.. Yet didn't feel any harm or danger as we were in the safest hands. And the colorful bird watch. Would like to promote the place myself as it deserves more than 5 stars, visit to Agra, do visit Chambal river... Rarest of the rare safari, must visit for wildlife lovers..

We went to the chambal wildlife safari on feb 25, while reaching there we were welcomed my munendrasingh tomar and by his heartful family, lodge is clean and surrounded by lots of trees, there is sweet sound of birds and squirrel while staying there I used to sit outside lodge and just listen to this melody of nature. In evening we had a bonfire in backwards side of the Lodge, on oneside weather was chilling and this little Warmness of bonfire gave me a once in a lifetime experience. |On next day we were taken to the chambal river for boating to see wild alligators (THIS WAS BEST PART OF WHOLE TRIP). |While staying there I also met lots of foreigners few of them were writing books about native birds and wildlife animals of chambal area.

Delightfully well appointed cottages. Has a rustic look which adds to the charm. Excellent food and very warm and hospitable host- Shri Munendra ji. The boat safari on the Chambal was very memorable. Saw a lot of wildlife. Would hope that the govt support and regulate these activities with proper jetties.

The whole environment was soothing and very close to nature. Must visit place for nature loving travellers. Highlight of the tour was Chambal River Safari. A good picnic spot for family and groups. A very peaceful spot close to nature. All fun and masti.

If you want a peaceful getaway amidst nature, this is the place! The lodge is comfortable, clean, and surrounded by fields. The owner, Mr. Abhinav, is involved and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Would love to return!

The hussle and bustle of Indian markets and temples is fine but Chambal Wildlife Safari Lodge is Indian peace and tranquility. Recharge your batteries and love of India here. The services provided by them is magnificent. The lodge is very clean and dedicated staff.

This is a review of a torrid and distressing experience we had as a group of senior citizens when we spent 3 nights recently at the Mela Camp - Chambal Wildlife Safari Lodge, village Jarar, Bah, Uttar Pradesh 283104.||We had called the owner, Shri Muninder Singh, a number of times before our arrival and he had spoken very effusively, assuring us of all hospitality and amenities. ||When we arrived, we were welcomed with garlands, tikka and a dhol band. However, there was no Reception area and our ID'S were not checked. Though we had arrived by road from Delhi well after check-in time, the owner made us wait in the open area for a long while as the rooms were still being cleaned. When we finally entered our rooms, none of the patio areas had been cleaned, with brooms, dried leaves, etc. lying all over the place.||As we entered our rooms, a number of problems became apparent:-||1. In one room, the flush was not working (this could get fixed only the next day). In another room the flush stopped working on the second day (this never got fixed till our departure despite repeated requests). When we asked for buckets for pouring water in the commode, we were given used paint cans .. and that too after a long delay. In the meantime, we were reduced to using the dustbins for pouring water in the flush.||2. In one room, none of bathroom fittings worked in the shower area. Only one low tap was working and no mug had been provided, making it very difficult to wash and bathe for the elderly people. ||3. In one room there was no hot water in the bathroom (this finally got fixed on the second day). In this room there a large gap below the door as a result of which frogs and lizards were entering every day. ||4. In one room the front door could not be locked from inside (this was fixed by banging the 'kundi' slot with a hammer). In the same room, the bathroom door was not closing and could not therefore be latched from inside (this never got fixed despite many complaints). ||5. In one room the almirah door collapsed and almost fell on the lady's head. She was saved when her husband grabbed the door and held it up.||6. The glass enclosure in one room had a one-inch gap from top to bottom letting in lizards and insects.||7. There was no housekeeping service worth the name and the towels were not changed in any of the rooms during the entire duration of our stay. Neither were the rooms cleaned or the beds made.||8. The so-called dining room had no window that could be opened and had only one door. Due to shortage of staff, service was very slow. Breakfast would take interminably long because they would bring in one item at a time with long gaps in between while we waited. We would invariably get up before any of us could eat our fill. ||9. For breakfast they had no clue how to make a fried egg or omelette. They provided an almost burnt egg burji. They had no toaster and toasts were semi burnt on a tawa. No fruits were served at breakfast or at any meal. ||10. The kitchen had no refrigerator or microwave. It was also excessively dirty. (The owner physically barred one of the ladies from going into the kitchen but she managed to peek in anyway). ||11. Each meal was unbearably full of floating oil (we ate only Indian food and dared not try their "pasta" or "conti" cuisine!). In our first meal itself we noticed that the same masala had been used for the chicken, fish and baigan ki subzi! ||12. Many of the glasses and crockery smelled of stale eggs.||We had chosen this place partly under the impression that it was close to the Chambal river. But it was 22 kms by car to the riverside.||The distance from the cottages to the dining room was almost 100 yards along a narrow path through overgrown shrubbery and trees. There was no lighting and it was pitch dark at night which was very dangerous for elderly people like us.||The grounds are never cleaned or watered. Dirty plastic bottles, cables, cigarette packets, plastic and rats plus stray dogs are always in your way. There were large bulls and many cows grazing in the grounds.||Many of the photos on their website (link given below) were clearly of some other place! ||Before our arrival, the owner had assured one of our group members on phone that the rates quoted for room tariff were inclusive of taxes. However, he totally denied this on our arrival and said nothing is in writing! As a result, he did not give us any receipt or voucher or invoice despite our repeated requests. When we asked for his GST number, he said "main aap ko kyun dikhaun?" ("why should I show you?"). We did not see any receipt book. When we were leaving, he made us sign on a plain register. ||The so-called 'discounted' rate we were charged was far too high for what we got.||The owner also did not give us any receipt for the considerable amount we paid for the boat ride on the Chambal on what he claimed was his own boat.||When we made repeated complaints about the service, amenities and upkeep of the place, the owner became sullen and downright rude and insolent towards the end of our stay.||Anyone reading this is strongly advised to never visit this place.

good room and decent food, but pretty bad service. and owner or employees don't have much knowledge about the locality. if you are going for skimmers do not approach them whatsoever, they have no knowledge of where or when it is found, they would just keep avoiding the name of skimmer like you-know-who after you reach there.