Last Updated on June 7, 2024 by admin
Wondering where to book the next wildlife vacation in India? How about choosing a luxurious staycation that offers amazing wildlife escapades? Read about my experience of forest accommodation that is luxurious and sustainable at Bori Safari Lodge.
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary is not very popular as compared to other tiger parks in Madhya Pradesh – Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh. However, little do people know that Bori is a part of Satpura National Park.
Satpura National Park is famous for its sloth bear sightings, but it is equally a haven for tigers, types of deer and bird diversity. It is also a perfect wildlife resort near Bhopal even if one does not
As important it is to choose a good park for jungle vacation in India, choosing the right accommodation also is. A wildlife safari lodge should have the following traits and I chose Bori Safari Lodge for the same.
- Near the park gate: oftentimes hotels/resorts are extremely far from park gate and it becomes tiresome to travel even before entering the gate.
- Natural vibe: The interior, surroundings and aesthetics are extremely important for a hotel near wildlife parks. It should maintain rustic vibes, have minimalist lighting and should not allow loud music.
- Local food: the best part about travelling is the food and hotels should serve local food that is fresh in season and distinctive of the place. Serving morning tea before safari and high-tea after safari is part of the whole comfortable safari experience.
- In-house naturalist: Having a knowledgeable and experienced naturalist is an added advantage on safari who can give an overview about the entire forest biodiversity including animals, plants and birds. They are also expert trackers and guides who know the forest as well as the back of their hand.
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ABOUT BORI SAFARI LODGE
Tucked amidst the lush and rustic locale of Dhapada village, Bori Safari Lodge is a charming forest resort in Madhya Pradesh. Spread over 7.5 acres of farmland, it is a perfect jungle staycation.
This exclusive resort is located 15 kilometers from the Bhopal-Nagpur highway and offers exclusive safaris. The lodge is located just a few kilometers from the park gate of Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. The in-house 4×4 safari vehicle with naturalists assists guests to the park.
Here, the essence and sophistication of the Jehan Numa group truly comes alive, with thoughtful amenities, royal design and a sincere personal touch.
BORI SAFARI LODGE REVIEW
After turning left from the Bhopal-Nagpur highway, we drove through the dusty village roads for sometime. Another left turn and we entered the lodge premises with happy faces waving to us. We were heartily welcomed by literally every staff at the lodge.
Welcome drinks along with a cold face towel immediately made us feel at home. The lodge manager Mr Shivraj Singh requested a briefing session to explain about the property.
Here is all the information he shared and I came to know in the 2 days that I stayed.
Rooms at Bori Safari Lodge
Bori Safari Lodge features 8 spacious and well-appointed rooms that are designed keeping in mind the needs and comforts of the modern traveller. Each unit of the beautifully designed rooms has a king size bed, contemporary ensuite bathroom and private viewing decks. There is a sitting/reading lounge area where one can keep their cameras, binoculars and other wildlife gears or simply read.
All rooms also have a tea and coffee maker with home-made cookies, wardrobes and safety locker. Artful decor, beds with cozy mattresses, modern furniture, and ambient lighting add to your comfort. Sit back and enjoy the serene ambience of the farmlands from the private deck of the room!
Indian artistic heritage is reflected in every corner of the room, starting with complimentary Kama Ayurveda amenities, wildlife photos/portraits/books and local art. The property wants the guests to enjoy the wilderness so much so that there is no TV or wi-fi or telephones in rooms. However there is a common area around the reception that has wi-fi connectivity if you are working outside of the office.
There is no in-room service and in case you need to call the staff there is a blow horn that one has to blow into and keep outside the room. Blow really hard so that they can hear it.
In addition to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the farms, one can have the feeling of sleeping under the sky due to a small glass portion between the wall and ceiling. Although not a good option for a night full of lightning and thunderstorms!
Being a sustainable property, drinking water is served in refillable steel bottles. The water is safe to consume as it is filtered RO water!
Culinary Delights
There is an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, where all the meals are served. Embedded in the central courtyard of the lodge, this restaurant has beautiful indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
They have a fixed menu for each meal and the food is served on the table. The raw materials and ingredients used are sourced from local farmers and markets. And the food served gives an authentic taste of cuisine that is popular in the villages of Madhya Pradesh as well as global dishes.
Cocktails and dinner is served in an open farmland where the chefs cook many live dishes on barbeque and it is a perfect setting to meet other guests staying in the hotel and discuss about the wildlife sightings of the day!
On-the-go safari Breakfast
Safari breakfasts are special. Imagine roughing it out in the cold wind for hours trying to sight the big cats and then stopping in one of the jungle pit-stop areas where you are served hot beverages, parathas, bread-butter, fresh fruits, juice, cakes and other delicious snacks? It cannot get better than this!
Bori Safari Lodge organizes breakfast on the go so that you are never hungry on a safari. The vehicles stop at rest stops that are designated breakfast points. The vehicle driver and guide sets up a picnic basket and one can have a hearty meal in the midst of the forest.
Beware of sparrows and monkeys who may try to snatch the yummy breakfast from your hands.
Infinity Pool
Bori Safari Lodge features an infinite pool overlooking a pond surrounded by greenery. Cool off and enjoy your holiday with a splash at the swimming pool. Enjoy a refreshing swim, laze in the sunbeds or have a memorable time with your family and children at the pool.
Library
If you have leisure time at hand then head to the in-house library that is ambient and beautifully styled with a number of books on wildlife and general reading. This is also the only place where wi-fi works in the entire resort so if you have some work to do this is the place to be.
Spa
After a long day out in the park, there is nothing more relaxing than a massage. Especially a full day safari! Your body will thank you for the array of massages that are offered here including ayurvedic massage, reflexology, Indian head massage and other range of full-body treatments.
The lodge employs local ladies who are well trained in massage therapy to deliver these experiences to guests.
Walking tours
The Bori Wildlife Sanctuary along with Satpura National Park are the only two protected areas in Central India where walking is permitted as a means to explore the park. A guided walking safari with the expert naturalist is an experience of a lifetime where one may stumble upon many kinds of biodiversity and tales that may last a long time. The walks are usually aimed at finding smaller things in the park like insects, butterflies, tracks and signs, birds, plants and other things that one would miss in a jeep.
I suggest guests have atleast one free evening (parks are closed on wednesday afternoon) to take up these walking tours.
Sundowner
The exploration doesn’t stop after wildlife chasing as you once again hop into the open-top jeep where the team guides you to a secluded riverbed along the Tawa River. Here a delightful high tea and sundowners await. During certain months, the river’s flow recedes significantly, revealing picturesque sandy banks where you’ll pause. In the spring months a local flower called Mahua blooms which is the region’s favorite.
While it is popular for country liquor, the Bori Safari Lodge has made a special concoction using the Mahua flowers called Mahua Martini on the sandy riverfront while witnessing the sunset over the national park.
SUSTAINABILITY AT BORI SAFARI LODGE
The Jehan Numa group is conscious of the environment and has inculcated many sustainable values in all of its hotels. Inspite of being in the jungle and away from many resources, Bori Lodge practices sustainability! Some of the initiatives include the type of construction, no plastic policy, local employment, and others. Let us look at them in detail.
- Bori Safari Lodge, nestled in Dhapada village, offers a captivating immersion into local rural life. Visiting the surrounding villages with tribal communities offers an enriching village excursion with fascinating encounters. Numerous opportunities await guests to intimately experience village life during their stay.
- The water bottles used are refillable steel bottled with filtered RO water.
- Instead of hand tissues, the lodge uses washable and reusable cotton napkins in the common bathroom.
HOW TO REACH BORI SAFARI LODGE
By flight
Bori Safari Lodge can be reached via road from the airport or train station.
The nearest airport is Bhopal airport located at 145 km and another is Nagpur Airport located 235 km from the resort near Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. From both these airports, you can reach the lodge via cabs or buses.
By train
The Betul Railway station is the closest to Bori Safari Lodge. The station acts as a junction for 94 trains that connect to various parts of the country like Mumbai, Bhopal, Nagpur, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. It is 37.8 km from the resort near Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.
FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT BORI SAFARI LODGE REVIEW
During my stay at Bori Lodge, I enjoyed a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. The hospitality and meticulous attention to detail stood out during my brief visit. The resort exudes beauty, comfort, and coziness, complemented by delectable cuisine. In my opinion, Bori Safari Lodge ranks among the top luxury jungle resorts in India, thanks to its exceptional offerings. The staff, manager and naturalists of the lodge are lovely people and one can easily strike a conversation with them.. The warm hospitality guarantees my desire to return for another stay.
BOOK YOUR WILDLIFE RETREAT NEAR BHOPAL!
Address: Bori Safari Lodge, Dhapadamal, Shahpur, Betul, Madhya Pradesh, 460440
Contact no.: +91 98 9312 6773, +91 99 9309 1076
Email: [email protected]
Website: Bori Safari Lodge
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Enjoy Indian Wildlife? Read more wildlife posts here
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Looking for more inspiration from Madhya Pradesh? Check here
- Bhojeswar Shiva Temple, Bhopal
- Places to visit in Pachmarhi
- Orchha Fort
- Places to visit in Indore
- A trip to Mandu
Disclosure – I was a guest at Bori Safari Lodge in April 2024. However, all opinions in this post are unbiased and of my own.
Disclaimer – This post may contain affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.
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