About Mela Camp | Chambal Wildlife Safari Lodge, Bah Agra
From the historic Jarar Mela fairground to a 125-acre conservation lodge. Meet Kunwar Munendra Pal Singh and the story behind Chambal Wildlife Safari.
Heritage Estate
125 acres of restored Arjun Stud Farms grounds — orchards, gardens and heritage cottages where a legendary fair once gathered.
Conservation First
Run under the Chambal Eco Preservation & Welfare Society (est. 2014), every stay directly supports river habitat protection and village livelihoods.
Expert Naturalists
Boatmen and guides who have tracked this river for years — they know where gharials bask, where dolphins surface, where skimmers nest.
THE RIVER & THE SANCTUARY
Why Choose Mela Camp
The Chambal is one of India’s cleanest and most biodiverse rivers. The National Chambal Sanctuary protects a 400 km stretch of free-flowing river and a 1–6 km swathe of ravines on either bank — 1,235 sq km granted Protected Area status in 1979 to save the gharial from extinction. Today it holds the world’s largest wild gharial population, alongside Gangetic river dolphins, mugger crocodiles, rare turtles and 320+ bird species including the Indian Skimmer and the Sarus Crane.
Mela Camp sits at the heart of this landscape. Dawn boat safaris, ravine jeep drives, heritage trails to Bateshwar and Shauripur, and evenings by the campfire — all a short drive from the Taj Mahal, yet a world away from it.
MEET THE VISIONARY
The Man Behind Mela Camp
Kunwar Munendra Pal Singh
A passionate nature enthusiast with over 15 years in Indian tourism and wildlife conservation, Munendra Pal Singh is the Director of Arjun Stud Farms & Arjun Agricultural Farms and Secretary of the Chambal Eco Preservation & Welfare Society. In 2014, he began restoring the 125-acre estate of the historic Jarar Mela into the conservation lodge it is today. His deep respect for the land and its people shapes every riverbank walk, every safari, and every meal at Mela Camp.
Founder of Chambal Wildlife Safari – Mela Camp
THE RIVER IS WAITING
Planning Your Chambal Safari?
Tell us your dates, group size and interests — wildlife, heritage, photography or all three — and we’ll build the stay around you, within your budget.
Frequently Asked Question
01 Where is Chambal Wildlife Safari – Mela Camp located?
Mela Camp is located inside the 125-acre Arjun Stud Farms estate in Jarar, Bah tehsil, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh — about 70 km (a 90-minute drive) from the Taj Mahal, on the edge of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The lodge is reachable from Agra, Gwalior and Delhi by road.
02 What is the best time to visit the Chambal Sanctuary?
November to March is peak season — cool weather, maximum gharial basking on the sandbanks, and thousands of winter migratory birds. October and April are pleasant shoulder months. River safaris typically pause during the monsoon (July–September).
03 What animals can I see on a Chambal boat safari?
The Chambal holds the world’s largest wild gharial population. On a boat safari you can also spot Gangetic river dolphins, mugger crocodiles, eight-plus turtle species, and 320+ birds including the rare Indian Skimmer and the Sarus Crane — the world’s tallest flying bird.
04 How far is Mela Camp from the Taj Mahal?
Around 70 km — a 90-minute drive via the Agra–Bah road — making Mela Camp the ideal wildlife extension to any Agra and Taj Mahal itinerary.
05 Is the Chambal safari safe and family-friendly?
Yes. Safaris run on calm, protected waters with experienced boatmen and trained naturalists, and children are welcome. The dacoit era of the ravines is long past — today the Chambal is known for its wildlife, not its outlaws.