Jungle Base Camp

We loved the warm hospitality and the authentic jungle experience at Jungle Base Camp. The hosts were incredibly accommodating, even with the challenging weather, and made us feel at home throughout our stay. The property is well maintained while still keeping you closely connected to nature and the surroundings of Bardiya National Park. Hukum’s 33+ years of experience working in the jungle really stood out. His knowledge of the park and the region gave us confidence that we were in safe and knowledgeable hands while exploring. The food was another highlight. Everything was delicious, and the BBQ prepared on request was especially good. Vauju and Babu were wonderful hosts and made the whole experience even more welcoming. They also helped make our birthday celebration feel genuinely special. It didn’t feel like we were staying at a hotel, it felt more like being welcomed into someone’s home. A wonderful place for anyone looking for a peaceful, authentic jungle experience with great hospitality.

There wasn’t much we didn’t like about our stay. The weather was challenging during our visit, but the hosts were very accommodating and did their best to make us comfortable. If anything, the remote jungle setting means you should come expecting a simple, nature-focused stay rather than a luxury resort experience, which is also part of its charm.

What an amazing place, what an amazing family, and what an amazing experience! I loved it here, the hosts (son included) are the nicest people, they treated me extremely well and helped me a lot. I did the safari and saw tigers, rynhos, and had so much fun. Totally recommended!

All meals were fine especially the salad vegetables from the backyard garden. Spacious living area hot water and plenty of quiet. Supportive hosts!

Not only is Jungle Base Camp among the cheapest accommodation options in Thakudwara, Hukum (the owner) provides tours that are significantly cheaper than elsewhere. He is a respected and highly experienced guide (30+ years), so cheaper does not mean lower quality! He was genuinely astonished when I told him what I had been charged for a "Community Forest" tour with Namaste Bardia Resort (you can read my separate review). This accommodation is family owned and operated (many are not), and it feels more like a homestay than a guesthouse or resort. Hukum is English-language fluent and a great source of information and advice. Like any of the low-cost accommodation in Thakudwara, my room was spartan and basic, but spacious and plenty comfortable enough for a good night's sleep. The property is very pleasant, with a verdant, shady garden with plenty of birdsong. It sits on the NW edge of the Betahani community, which is a quiet rural area comprised largely of small farming plots. The people are friendly, so you can have some interaction as you stroll around. It's an easy 25-30 minutes walk into town or to the National Park entrance. TIP: even if you stay elsewhere, I highly recommend you chat with Hukum about his guided trips to both the National Park and Dalla Community Forest...you can save thousands of Rs per tour. He even recommended I wait a couple of days for the weather to become more conducive for tiger activity and sightings...he wants to provide a good, value-tor-money experience, rather than getting as much cash out of your pocket as possible.

The following are not negatives to me, but for those of you who may be more demanding... The "Genius" included breakfast was simply coffee and omelette with toast or chapatti (other options are available at additional cost). Still, it was nice and I certainly won't complain, considering the cost...remember, this Genius free breakfast is not something offered by the host, it is imposed upon them by booking.com! The accommodation is one of the oldest in Thakudwara. If you are the type of person who insists on instant hot water, sparkling toilet bowls, pristine bed linen and a completely insect-free room, then you may be disappointed. Everything is clean enough, but spotlessly new it is not...and you shouldn't expect so for about $US4 per night!