Jungle Wildlife Camp

We stayed five nights, and the balconies were great, even though the rooms are really dated. It’s not a luxury hotel, which the price reflects. The location is amazing. We could walk into town easily, and from the restaurant balcony we saw rhinos and crocodiles almost every day. There’s a big menu at the restaurant. I especially recommend the “honney roasted chicken.” I said how good it was, and they invited me into the kitchen to see how it’s made. The chef was happy to show me his recipes. The staff are what make the place special. They’re working from early morning until late at night and ALWAYS smiling and friendly. The restaurant manager went out of his way to make us comfortable, the receptionist welcomed us like long-missed family, and the other staff carried our luggage and helped with things.

We stayed three nights. The rooms were clean and good, though pretty basic. Breakfast didn’t have much choice, but the pancakes were delicious, and having a real coffee machine was a big plus. There was a decent dinner selection, although some dishes felt a bit too Westernized. We also tried the packed lunch option, which was good. The location is amazing for seeing rhinos cross the river. We saw one at dusk, then another around 6am the next morning. The restaurant manager was exceptionally friendly and helpful.

Sitaram, the restaurant supervisor, gave us excellent service and shared his wildlife knowledge. He was very caring and even lent us binoculars for spotting birds. If he saw a rhino crossing the river, he’d help wake us up in the morning, which we really appreciated. We spent the whole day watching for animals along the river. The lodge was clean and had hot water. We opted for a tent, so we could hear the real nighttime sounds. There’s plenty of wildlife to see without going on safari. Crocodiles bask on the right end of the river and rhinos cross at the left. We also got good pictures of Indian elephants bathing with their trainer. Along the riverbank, locals look for black shrimp about the size of a thumb. The national park is across the river, but you have to pay the park fees. You can walk along the bank and ask locals when animals usually cross, ha ha ha.

The food at the restaurant was the best we had in town, and the tours they arranged came with really good guides. We even spotted a tiger on our full-day jeep safari. We had an unforgettable stay at Jungle Wildlife Camp. The tent had a breathtaking river view, and we were lucky to see rhinos crossing almost every morning. The staff went above and beyond, especially Sitaram. We’d recommend this place, particularly for its spot right beside the river.