hollong Tourist Lodge

We,me and my wife spend one night at hollong on december,2013. It was a mesmerising experience to us. When we were at gate of the forest check post to show our booking permit, ID proof etc, that is 7 km away(through the dense forest) from hollong tourist lodge, just started to listen the ancient music of forest. We were coming from Murti, near about 80 km from hollong, hired a local alto car to drop us.(cost was 1500 INR). If you want to come directly then your nearest railway station is hasimara, you may contact a local person, named Mr. Bishwajit( 9733141091) to drop at hollong. He is extremely helpful and punctual. A very good reliable person indeed. Entry fee of the lodge is INR 250.

After completing all formalities we stared to the hollong tourist lodge.The path was narrow, a dense silence around you, your cell phone tower is just started to good bye you! Yes, you are in the land of nature. Be silent and feel the forest. Ancient trees and innumerable birds are ready to welcome you!Winter fall of leaves on your path. Ah! You are in the front of a British pattern green coloured bungalow! That is your destination.

hollong river is passing in front of the lodge. Just opposite of the river there is a salt-pit, maximum 30-40 feet! Two or three peacock welcomed us from the salt-pit!

After showing all the formalities at reception, we got the room at first floor(room no.5, name: Kingfisher). The second floor was reserved for V.I.P. And I think room no. 5 is the best room for general tourist. Room allocation system( after confirmed reservation) is first come first serve basis.

After entering the room, we were spellbound!! It was a huge room with the marvelous interior. The main attraction is large window and through the window you can see the salt-pit! The prime area to watch wild life.

After getting fresh we had a walk around the bungalow! It was prohibited in evening. We find one small baby elephant at pilkhana. After coming back we were being called for lunch( For lunch you need to book it early), delicious lunch with local fish and charge was completely affordable( 200 INR per plate). The head cook is a very gentle man,named Mr. Bachhu Babu and very informative about the wildlife. The evening tea/snacks, dinner, bed tea and breakfast is compulsory and very much affordable, INR 400 for each person. The food was delicious and superb.And I must say about the room service! It was really really great! Oh! We booked our elephant ride at 6 a.m for the next day morning.

At 3 p.m, the sun was getting low, forest guard poured fresh salt at salt-pit. Now your show has been started! At 5 we saw from our room, a lazy Indian bison came and after few minutes the whole team! It was a full moon, my 300mm zoom lens was ready! But I forgot to click! A yellow moon, the unnatural mist and one horned rhino with the wild smell! We were forgot to utter any word!

Show went on through the night! A young rhino entered at bungalow premises around 10 p.m. He was dare to went off, even in search light!

With the darkness of mystic night, we spend our time in lap of nature.Our diner was served at room at sharp 8 p.m and before that at 5.30 p.m evening tea and snacks!

Next morning we were called at 5 a.m sharp for elephant safari and bed tea had been served.

At 6 we stared our elephant safari and entered into a dense forest. Trees, the morning mist, birds, shambar,barking deer,elephant, the rising sun...it was out of the world! My nikon captured these but I believe the world best lens,my eyes captured them forever!

Some Quick tips:

1. Try to stay at least two nights.
2. Avoid Thursday for online booking,it is reserved for local booking.
3. Inform for lunch before reach.
4. Carry some light coloured/dull coloured cloth.
5. Try not to smoke.
6. Not expect only wild life but enjoy nature itself.You are not in Zoo at all!
7. The booking procedure: online from W.B.T.D.C webpage(http://app.westbengaltourism.gov.in/WBTBooking/wbtdc.html) or locally from Jalpaiguri Forest office.
8. Chance to get this bungalow is bit tough, there is all time rush for booking. Try to book 120 days before like me. I made it via online. Lucky enough! Good luck for you!

Last but not the least the staffs are very much cooperative and humble. Specially Mr. Ranjit babu, officer in charge for the lodge.A really humble and gentle man.

Wish to visit again within few day to see my jungle days again!