Pugdundee Safari- Denwa Backwater Escape

Lovely tranquil spot in the backwaters of the Denwa river, gorgeous sunrise and sunset over the river. The treehouse was comfortably appointed. Our guest experience was superbly organised with the safaris, the refreshments before and after, and varied and healthy food in the restaurant. A special mention to the waiting staff Saroj Kumar and Sameer who were attentive and helpful at all times. Our two allocated naturalists Rhea and Saumya were also excellent ambassadors for the lodge, keen and knowledgeable and also humble. We had some unforgettable safari experiences in Satpura with their company.

Had a wonderful experience at Denny Backwater Escape. The whole staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful. The chef even made me some porridge before the early morning game drive and it was perfect. The room was very comfortable with a wonderful view of the river. The game drives were excellent as was the boat safari. The guides and drivers were very knowledgable. Special mention to Rhea, the naturalist who taught us a lot. The icing on the cake was the tiger walking towards us.

Denwa Backwater Escape (DBE) was a fantastic experience. It was a magical place and perhaps one of the best safari park visits that we have been to so far, and we've been to many! Starting with our pick up at Bhopal airport, in a clean and very comfortable Toyota with a safe, friendly and helpful driver, the entire 3 nights stay was a super holiday. DBE is located in the midst of jungles and is very picturesque. Our room was spacious, very tastefully done up, clean and very well equipped with very good amenities. The bed is huge giving you a good nights sleep. The WiFi worked efficiently and the coffee - tea making set up was terrific! A coffee press with delicious, freshly ground coffee powder and an excellent selection of teas with plenty of home made cookies! It was a real treat! What was also exciting was a family of wild boar who made their home in the clump of bamboo trees just outside our cottage! That was truly the icing on the cake! The food at DBE is outstanding and the dining room staff are meticulous and caring. Our chef was quite the master of the kitchen with a huge variety of delicious cuisines that left us astonished at his repertoire. The service staff were very kind, courteous and most helpful, catering to all our demands with a smile. Sameer, who served us, made us feel at home and very welcome. They are all assets to Pugdundee Safaris. Of course, the visits to the Madhai Gate of the National Park were superb. Our Naturalist, Ms Saumya Thakur, was so knowledgeable that for a young person to be so well informed was amazing. She was also very caring, energetic and always had a smile dealing with us, super senior citizens. The drivers of DBE jeeps were very attentive and ready to give a helping hand whenever we had to clamber in and out of the jeeps. We went on the boat cruise one morning, which was delightful, and saw lots of birds as well as crocodiles. The breakfast on the boat was terrific with a large variety of food and as much freshly made coffee or tea as you wanted! The 2 trips into the forest were awesome as we saw tigers, gaurs, wild boars, sloth bears, antelopes, deer and a host of birds and butterflies. It was truly impressive to see so many animals and birds in the wild, untouched beauty of the forest. This is what makes Satpura National Park so special. Finally, Mr Prashaant Seegu, the master of this team of wonderful people, was first class. All his guidance and help before our visit and while we were there was super. We can't thank DBE enough for making this an exceptional holiday for us! Keep up the good work DBE!!!

This location is Denwa river water facing with amazing views. It comes with amazing crew who takes care off their customers extremely well like their family. Restaurant view and food cannot be missed. Cottages are the best, independent units with an access to open top view of the wild scenery one should not miss. Location is so meditative this is heaven on earth. Soumya, guide and naturalist works hard to describe flora and fauna to you which one should have appreciation as there is some much of passion and interest in what she does. I highly recommend this resort if one wants to do Tiger safari, like me you would be lucky to see a Tiger, Sloth Bear, gaur and others if you stay.

Well trained team kept the rooms and resort super-clean, the chef and kitchen crew served well curated dishes and gave me gluten-free meals, the naturalist was knowledgeable and passionate, and the beautiful waterfront location was teeming with birds. Saw tiger, leopard, sloth bear, gaur, nilgai, sambhar deer, chital, crocodile, jungle cat. Notable birds included asian paradise flycatcher, scarlet minivet, changeable hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, pied kingfisher in the well-run Satpura national park / tiger reserve.

“In Search of a True Wildlife Experience: Tiger Safari with Pugdundee Safari” During my four-day stay at the Denwa Backwater Tiger Reserve in January, I had an unforgettable experience. The Pugdundee Safari Lodge exceeded expectations, offering breathtaking views of the river. The lodge was beautifully designed, and the restaurant delivered exceptional cuisine that truly impressed. What stood out most was the staff—warm, attentive, and genuinely dedicated to guest satisfaction and, most importantly, the conservation of wildlife. As a solo traveler, I was disappointed that meals could not be taken in my room or on my verandah. However, I accept that this policy was implemented to avoid encouraging the feeding of wildlife by humans. The tiger reserve itself is government-managed, meaning that all visitors must use official vehicles. These are gypsies—uncomfortable jeeps that aren’t the most ideal for long drives—accompanied by both a driver and a game ranger. Typically, two safaris are conducted daily: one early in the morning and another in the afternoon. Each safari assigns different drivers and guides, which contributes to high tipping costs. Some of the guides, however, were less than ideal—more interested in chatting amongst themselves or with guides from other vehicles than engaging with the guests or focusing on the safari. This was not my first safari, but it was my first time in an Indian reserve in over 40 years. I was curious by the naturalist’s explanations regarding “alarm calls”—distress signals made by animals like monkeys or deer when predators such as tigers or leopards are nearby. However, I was taken aback by the chaotic scramble of vehicles that ensued whenever an alarm call was heard. Jeeps revved noisily as they raced to the scene, often resulting in a cluster of vehicles surrounding the animals. At one point, when we spotted a tiger, no fewer than seven vehicles crowded the road, creating a scene of loud excitement that detracted from the serenity of the moment I have no idea what impact that has on these beautiful animals. I’ve always believed that a safari should be a patient, quiet experience—spending hours in peaceful observation, with moments of thrilling excitement punctuating the stillness. Unfortunately, this felt more like a zoo, with vehicles vying for position rather than respecting the animals’ space. I requested my driver to maintain a slow pace, and this allowed us to observe the jungle in a far more tranquil and rewarding way. Despite these challenges, I commend Pugdundee for their efforts to balance guest experiences with the vital work of wildlife conservation. They are certainly navigating a difficult landscape, striving to instill a sense of respect and quiet within the government-run park. All in all, my time in the reserve was a remarkable experience, and Pugdundee did everything in their power to make my visit memorable. Thank you Pugdundee for your hospitality. I also visited Pench prior to this