Pugdundee Safari- Denwa Backwater Escape

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.

My husband and I stayed at the Pugdundee Denwa Backwater lodge for 3 nights as part of the Best of Central Highlands tour that Pugdundee offers. This was our first time in India and the Pugdundee staff were a beautiful, warm representation of India. We felt their genuine care and kindness throughout every aspect of our time with them. The hospitality here is the best we have ever experienced. This made this a standout, exceptional experience. We did one boat safari, two morning jeep safaris, one evening jeep safari and one night jeep safari. We enjoyed every single one! Our naturalist provided insightful information and accommodated to our every need on safari and at the lodge. We really enjoyed the meals, coffee and tea also provided on safari - a lovely touch. We saw tigers, sloth bears, the Indian giant squirrel, amongst many other animals - we believe birdwatchers would absolutely love Satpura! The property is beautiful and serene. We enjoyed walking around during the day and night. Our naturalist gave us a tour of the garden and we love the garden to table dining experience that was provided. We enjoyed every meal thoroughly. I am vegan and they had no problem accommodating to my dietary needs - in fact, it was some of the best vegan food I have ever had! We also enjoyed the style of dining - multiple dishes so we could try many dishes local to India. We will be talking about our time at this lodge, with the amazing staff for a very long time. We highly recommend Pugdundee for all nature & wildlife enthusiasts! You truly feel in the heart of nature, while still enjoying a luxury travel stay.

“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