Check in: India's Ultimate Sustainable Safari Lodge

Known as India's 'Tiger State', Madhya Pradesh is home to some of India's most famous tiger reserves. I was lucky to tour several of them during a recent visit with the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and among my most memorable experiences - aside from spotting a few tigers! - was bedding down at Forsyth Lodge. Named for Captain James Forsyth, one of the first Europeans to explore and fall in love with the wilderness area now known as Satpura National Park, Forsyth lodge isn't just a luxurious base for exploring the nearby tiger reserve, but a conscious business committed to conservation and empowering the local community.

The rooms

Built in the traditional mud-and-dung style, the lodge's 12 cottage-style rooms offer 21st-century comfort. Mine had a rooftop bed where you can choose to sleep under the stars, which I would have loved to do if it wasn't so chilly. Stylishly furnished with local textiles, the main bedroom was incredibly comfortable though. I also loved the enormous rain shower in the bathroom, and the hot water bottle placed in my bed at night was a nice touch.

 The lounge nails safari-chic © Sarah Reid

The vibe

With guests tending to congregate on the lodge's rooftop terrace after game drives for sundowners and stargazing, the vibe is intimate and sociable. Safari story-swapping continues at the communal dining table downstairs,before guests turn in for the night, or migrate back up to the bar.

The service

They've thought of everything at Forsyth, from the hot water bottles to the fresh juice and fragrant towels served upon returning from safari drives. I loved how the lodge naturalists took a really active role at the lodge, sharing sundowners and meals with guests after safaris. Housekeeping was also top-notch.

 I could have done some work between safaris. But I napped right here © Sarah Reid

The menu

Due to the lodge's isolation, meals are all-inclusive. With produce sourced as locally as possible, most meals consist of a range of delicious Indian-style dishes, with all dietary requirements catered to. While in theory it's nice to be waited on, I admit I found the conga line of servers doling out each individual dish (rather than just allowing us to serve ourselves) unnecessarily disruptive to the mealtime conversation. I experienced this at several other lodges in MP, so I guess it's just the way things are done.Tea, coffee and cake is served in the early mornings before safari drives, followed by a hearty tiffin picnic breakfast during the excursion. If you're sleeping in, you can order eggs as you like 'em in the dining room. Once a week, local women cook a tasty, ultra-traditional lunch for guests. Dinners are occasionally served outside by candlelight.

The bar

The small but well-stocked bar on the upper floor of the lodge spills out onto a roof terrace with a fire pit and plenty of seating - the perfect spot to sip a gin and tonic. If you take up the offer of trying the local liquor, be warned it's very strong.

 Thanks to our eagle-eyed naturalist Vineith Mahadev we met this guy on a night drive © Sarah Reid

The spa

There isn't one. But there's a lovely pool surrounded by pink bougainvillea.

Activities

Jeep safaris in Satpura National Park led by passionate naturalists depart from the lodge at 5.30am and 3.30pm daily (a local guide will also accompany you from the park entrance). With only 12 jeeps allowed in the park at one time, booking well ahead is advised. Morning drives held in the park's core zone offer the best chances of spotting an elusive tiger, leopard or sloth bear along with several deer species, langur, jungle cats, gaur, owls and more, though an evening drive in the buffer zone can be similarly rewarding. In fact, the only tiger I spotted in Satpura was during a night drive.

Walking safaris in the buffer zone and canoe safaris on the reservoir that borders the core zone of the park are also available, but while both offer a nice change of scenery, the wildlife spotting doesn't compare to that on a jeep safari. Camping in the buffer zone, on the other hand, is an activity offered by the lodge that sounds incredible.

Post-safari, activities are limited to lounging around the pool and hanging out the bar, which suited me just fine. If interacting with locals is your jam, chat to the lodge staff, most of whom are locals themselves.

 Langurs, langurs, everywhere © Sarah Reid

The location

Among India's more accessible safari lodges, Forsyth lodge is 200km south of Bhopal airport (about four hours by car), just a few minutes drive from the reservoir where small boats ferry visitors across to the core zone of the park for jeep drives. The lodge can arrange transfers to and from Bhopal, as well as rail stations including Itsari, Sohagpur, Pipariya and Hoshangabad.

Also known as the Indian bison, gaur are a common sight in Satpura National Park @ Sarah Reid

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Sarah Reid