Samode Safari Lodge
Bandhavgarh National Park takes its name from a fort located on the highest hill in the region, and was once the private game reserve of a local Maharaja. Today, it is home to 25 species of mammal, including the regal Bengal tiger and is an excellent place for bird-watching with some 250 avian species recorded. The Relais & Chateaux Samode Safari Lodge is an oasis of luxury located at the edge of this scenic wilderness, a necklace of charming tiled-roof buildings surrounded by indigenous vegetation.
Accommodation comprises of elegant private villas with romantic four-poster beds, personal verandas with a view and unique open-air courtyards containing a bathing area. At the heart of Samode Safari Lodge is a communal lounge heated with wood-burning fireplaces, a well-stocked library, pool room, gym, swimming pool and day spa. A gourmet restaurant rounds out the offering, with a different menu for every day and a wide range of atmospheric settings on offer where you can sit and savour your meal.
A typical day at Samode Safari Lodge involves twice daily Jeep safaris into Bandhavgarh National Park, led by knowledgeable a professional guide and local tracker. Search for tiger, cheetal, barking deer, hyena and hornbill in the lovely woodlands, before enjoying a picnic lunch or a barbecue under the stars.
Location
How to get to Samode Safari Lodge
Samode Safari Lodge is around 5 hours by road from both Kanha National Park and Khajuraho, which receives flights from major cities around India.
Activities at Samode Safari Lodge
- Tiger safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park
- Bird-watching
- Picnics and al fresco dining
- Spa treatments
*Some activities are available at extra cost.
Samode Safari Lodge Highlights
- A Relais & Chateaux boutique safari lodge at the edge of Bandhavgarh National Park
- Offering impeccable accommodation and outstanding hospitality
- Twice daily Jeep safaris into the reserve in search of Bengal tigers
- Outstanding bird-watching opportunities
- Romantic outdoor dining and access to excellent recreational facilities
Featured
Accommodation
Below are a selection of our preferred lodges in some of India’s premier wildlife reserves. Please contact us to tailor accommodation options to suit the style of your trip and your budget.
Bandhavgarh – Bandhav Vilas
Bandhav Vilas offers charming, villa-style accommodation close to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the best places in India to view the Bengal tiger.
Bandhavgarh – Mahua Kothi
Mahua Kothi offers luxury accommodation minutes from the entrance to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the best places in India to view the majestic Bengal tiger.
Bandhavgarh – Samode Safari Lodge
The Relais & Chateaux Samode Safari Lodge offers total luxury at the edge of Bandhavgarh National Park, home to the Bengal tiger and many other species.
Banjaar Tola
Banjaar Tola offers the style and atmosphere of an African luxury safari camp, at the edge of Kanha National Park, one of India's finest tiger reserves.
Diphlu River Lodge
Eco-friendly Diphlu River Lodge is just outside Kaziranga National Park, renowned for rare one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers.
Jamtara Wilderness Camp
Jamtara Wilderness Camp is a lovely tented camp at the edge of Pench National Park, the evocative setting for Rudyard Kipling's classic novel, The Jungle Book.
Jawai Bandh
Jawai Bandh is a splendid Relais & Châteaux luxury tented camp set in untrammelled wilderness where leopards still roam free.
Jim’s Jungle Retreat
Jim's Jungle Retreat lies in lush Himalayan foothills within India's scenic Corbett National Park, best known for its magnificent Bengal tigers.
The Birder’s Inn
The Birder's Inn is the perfect base for bird-watching in India's wonderful Keoladeo Ghana National Park which boasts over 350 avian species.
The Gateway Hotel
The Gateway Hotel Gir Forest offers smart, modern accommodation at the edge of a dense wilderness inhabited by the planet's last remaining Asiatic lions.
The Oberoi Vanyavilas
The Oberoi Vanyavilas offers absolute luxury at the edge of Ranthambore National Park, India's most famous Bengal tiger reserve.
Vivanta by Taj
Set within a charming art deco lodge formerly used by the Maharaja of Jaipur, Vivanta by Taj, Ranthambore is an ideal base for exploring India's finest tiger reserve.
India Wildlife Safaris and Tours Overview
Why India Wildlife Reserves Safaris & Tours: India’s wildlife reserves are a haven for many remarkable and endangered creatures like tiger, rhino, leopard and sloth bear. A wildlife safari combines beautifully with India’s cultural highlights.
When to Go:
Bandhavgarh National Park: Feb – May is the best time for gameviewing; the park is closed from early Jul to end Oct.
Corbett National Park: The best time for tiger viewing is the dry months of Apr – mid Jun, when wildlife come out in search of water. The best birdwatching is between Dec – Feb.
Ranthambhore National Park: The best time to go is in winter (Dec – Feb) and Mar/Apr. The park is closed during the monsoon; it reopens on 1 Oct.
Kanha National Park: Best time to visit is Mar – Jun. Park closed during monsoon from beginning Jul – Oct. Also closed midday to give respite to wildlife.
Kaziranga National Park: Best visited from mid-November to early April. The low-lying grasslands are flooded during the monsoon. During the floods, the animals migrate to higher, drier ground.
Periyar and Nagarhole National Parks: The best time to go is in the cool dry months (Oct- Feb) and during the hotter months of Mar/Apr for elephant viewing. The park is open during the monsoon period (June – Sep); but it is not the best season for spotting game.
Combine With: Safaris to India’s wildlife reserves are usually part of a general sightseeing itinerary which include India’s many cultural and historic attractions. They can also be combined with the wildlife parks of neighouring Nepal, Bhutan or Sri Lanka.
Getting There: The national parks of northern India can be accessed from major cities such as Delhi, Jaipur and Guwahati (Kaziranga). In South India, Periyar and Nagarhole/Kabini can be reached from Kochi, usually as part of an overland itinerary.