Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?
Indian Skimmer
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
Mela Kothi-Chambal Safari Lodge. Operating since 1999
How best to travel to your lodge?
The nearest international airport is in Delhi, a 4–hour driving distance away, and the nearest railhead and domestic airport are in Agra, approximately 1.5 hours driving distance away. Best to drive down by pre-arranged cab.
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders
We have 4 resident naturalists and offer several wildlife and cultural heritage guided tours, including nature walks.
What makes your lodge special?
An oasis of calm nestling in 30 acres of manmade forest meticulously rewilded over the course of 2 decades. The lodge grounds are home to over 200 species of birds, small mammals, and reptiles.
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?
- Indian Skimmer
- Black-bellied Tern
- River Tern
- Great Thick-knee
- Ruddy Shelducks
- Bar-headed Goose
- Sarus crane
- Brown Hawk-owl
- Collared Scops-owl
- Sandgrouse
- Indian Courser
- Small Pratincole
Spotted Owlet
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
Between October and April, during our operating season. The many different migratory species can be sighted over these months. We are closed from May to September.
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
Actively involved – support research projects related to species and habitat management, fund patrolling and anti-poaching activities of the forest department, fund and undertake reforestation and habitat regeneration projects, awareness programmes for school children and rural communities, support livelihood generation projects, management plans for the sanctuary, and carrying capacity studies for eco-tourism, carbon calculator for all aspects of eco-tourism, etc.
Grey Hornbill
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
Carry a good pair of binoculars, sensible walking shoes, layers as the mornings and evenings can be very cold, and an open mind!
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
Several. Guided tours of the medieval temple complex at Bateshwar, Holipura heritage village walk, bicycle tours, visits to the Sufi Tombs at Rapri, Potters village at Bijkauli, Hike through the ravines to Fort Ater, visit to the colonial township of Etawah, the historical Great Uprising of 1857 Trail, etc
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
Best to drop us an email at stay@chambalsafari.com
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