Kings Lodge

After three nights at Kings Lodge in the first week of January, we left feeling very well cared for. The property is beautiful and serene, and the staff were warm and attentive throughout. A special thanks to Pritam, Sant Laal, Shiv Kumar, and the whole team. On safari mornings, though our safaris were booked through an outside operator, the lodge provided blankets, hot water bags, a packed breakfast, and helpful notes on wildlife sightings. They also welcomed us back with fresh towels and drinks, especially after safaris. Meals were excellent, and the team took great care with our son’s cashew and pista allergies to keep his food safe. Evenings by the bonfire with tea, snacks, and popcorn were a nice way to unwind, and at checkout they gave us homemade ice creams and packed snacks even though we were heading to another resort in Bandhavgarh. The service felt thoughtful from check-in to departure. This was our first stay at a Pugdundee Safari Lodge, but it won’t be the last. Highly recommend.

The lodge layout worked well, with the bar, restaurant, spa, and pool near the front and 19 individual lodges behind. Ours had a huge king-sized bed, air conditioning, and plenty of space. We stayed three nights and managed four drives into the park, with lots of tiger sightings. Some were fleeting, while others were close and lasted quite a while. The resort naturalist who drove us around knew the park’s wildlife and made the trips more memorable. We ate outside under the stars all three evenings, a lovely way to relax and meet other guests. The food was fantastic and the whole team first class. If you’re doing a tiger safari in Bandhavgarh, I can’t recommend this place enough.

Kings lodge bandhavgarh covers about 38 acres, and staying there feels like enjoying nature in its natural habitat. The management takes sustainability and recycling seriously. They greet you with a chilled towel and welcome drink, and provide a steel bottle as a souvenir that you can keep using to avoid plastic bottles. Rooms are luxurious with Wi-Fi and the basic amenities, but there’s no television, so you can enjoy the surroundings. Food is restricted to the dining area, not rooms or other spots, because it could attract park animals. Each day has a set menu, made fresh with organic vegetables from their own garden. The stay is certainly on the expensive side, but the accommodation, food, and hospitality make the price feel justified.

We managed six safaris over four days, and the drivers did a great job, helping us spot tigers several times in both the core and buffer zones. Kings Lodge itself is incredible, but the real difference came from the GREAT staff. They’re well trained, kind, professional, and ready to help with everything, which made for a very high level of service. Our stay was unique, and the other guests there at the time all seemed happy too. Highly recommended, 10/10.