Mela Kothi Chambal Safari Lodge
Agra

Just an hour south of Agra, nestled within pristine rural terrain and steeped in local charm, Chambal Safari Lodge offers a truly authentic Indian safari experience - quiet, intimate and deeply rooted in conservation. Set within a 35-acre private estate, surrounded by farmland and flourishing woodlands, the lodge is a haven for wildlife and a model for sustainable tourism. Each year, hundreds of native trees and shrubs are planted, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that’s slowly re-wilding the landscape.

This is eco-luxury at its most sincere. With just thirteen atmospheric cottages and rooms, Chambal Safari Lodge blends rustic simplicity with thoughtful design. The interiors are decorated with locally crafted furniture, traditional textiles and natural materials, ensuring each space feels both rooted and refined. The heritage Mela Kothi rooms, housed in the restored original manor, showcase a warm blend of colonial-era charm and traditional period features. Many of the rooms open onto private verandahs, perfect spots for sipping a glass of chilled wine as dusk falls and the trees hum with birdsong.

Meals are also a highlight with generous buffets made with organic produce sourced from local farms and the lodge’s own gardens. Recipes are honed with love, drawing on regional flavours and family traditions to deliver dishes that feel both home-cooked and indulgent.

In the evenings, guests gather around a crackling bonfire under the stars, swapping stories of river safaris and wildlife sightings, while the night sky above glows with constellations. For those still chasing adventure, evening walks with expert naturalists offer thrilling glimpses of jungle cats, striped hyenas and fruit bats, among other elusive nocturnal creatures.

Chambal Safari Lodge is more than just a place to stay, it’s a sanctuary. The lodge plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding habitats through its dedicated conservation efforts and work with the local community. This stretch of the Chambal River is home to over 330 species of resident and migratory birds, as well as gangetic dolphins, turtles and smooth-coated otters; rare, beautiful wildlife that flourishes thanks to this protected environment.

A stay at Chambal offers a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. Close to Agra but a world away from the city’s chaos, it’s the ideal off-grid safari experience; conscious, characterful and utterly compelling.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller