Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – Once you have finalized the national park you wish to visit, the next big question is how to find good accommodation in the national parks of India. Where to stay? The average length of stay in a national park can be 2-7 nights depending on various factors. If you are on a specific mission, i.e. following a story, or a specific Tiger, then the length of stay can be even higher than 7 nights.
You might ask who am I to give guidance on this. Well, having worked with Asia’s largest Hotel chain for 11 years. And subsequently setting up Wildlife Lodges in few national parks, I think I have gained some experience in talking about this subject.
Important points to keep in mind before you choose the best accommodations in national parks of India:
Budget
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – This is entirely your call. There are Jungle lodges of all kind of budgets near the national park. There are branded Lodges, value for money lodges, boutique, and basic lodges.
Location
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – It is important to know the location of the Jungle Lodge that you are choosing. Is it close to the national park? If not, then is there any other attraction nearby, like a waterbody, hill view, river, farms etc.
Nearby zone
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – This is the most important point. You must find out near which tourism zone is the resort located? Whether you have access to other zones from this location or not? If yes, how far are they? For example, in Kanha, if your resort is near Mukki zone then the other gate is 50kms away, and reaching that gate can take well over an over. Similarly in Tadoba, Pench, Bandhavgarh, find out the nearby zone and accessibility.
Month of travel
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – Staying in a tented camp is a great idea. But not so if you are travelling in peak summers or peak winters. However good the insulation of the tent might be but the moment the mercury touches 40 degrees it becomes a furnace. Likewise in winters, when the mercury plummets to 5 degrees you will feel like you are sleeping in a deep freeze. So it helps to find out the type of construction of the resort.
Recommendations
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – You must find out the ratings of the resort on forums like Trip Advisor. Read about the quality of food, cleanliness, safety, safari experience etc. Yes, one can manipulate the feedback on such forum, but not considerably nor consistently. If the reviews are fake, someone will figure it out, and mention on the same forum again. But such short cuts are practised by some Lodges which don’t take them far. Do not take the feedback lightly or for granted while choosing your accommodation in the national parks of India.
Ownership
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – It helps to know who are the owners and promoters of the Lodge. Is this Lodge their primary business, secondary, or is it promoted by a wildlife lover? Depending on this one can gauge the quality of the resort.
Reservation process
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India- The reservation process of the resort will provide you with an indication of the quality of the resort you are choosing. If the process is smooth, seamless, prompt, precise, be rest assured you are getting into a good place. This will give you an insight into how professional and personalised the processes are. It is a very important aspect while checking on good accommodation in national parks of India. After all, this is the first link to the resort. The professionalism will reflect in the very first reply to your query.
Social Media presence
Best Accommodations in National Parks of India – Social media presence is the norm of the day. If the resort is serious about its quality, then the same will reflect on its website, Facebook page, twitter, Instagram etc. The images on these platforms though can be manipulated but a discerning traveller can make out what is fake and what is factual.
My recommendation is to do thorough research on the above for a couple of reasons. Firstly it can make or mar your experience of the destination. Secondly, it can have an important dent on your purse.
For the Best Accommodations in National Parks of India you will have to put your heart and soul into a proper and thorough research. But you are spending your hard-earned money, so I suggest do sufficient research. If you have less time then leave it to your trusted tour operator to handle it for you. Give him your suggestions, and wait for his confirmations to check on the accommodation in the national parks of India. But how do you choose the trusted tour operator? Another blog for that I guess.
Best Wishes
– Sharad Vats
