Old Magazine House - Jungle Lodges

I wasn't sure what to expect when I booked two nights birdwatching and photography at the OMH but the experience was very enjoyable and rewarding. My room was excellent, clean and spacious. The staff are most welcoming and as I was the only non domestic visitor the restaurant staff went out of their way to make sure I was happy with the food on offer and it wasn't too spicy. It wasn't and it was all very good and plenty of it. In fact besides three meals , tea/coffee and biscuits or soup and a snack were also included in the package as indeed were the guided walks. There were not too many guests for the two days I was there so not too many people at the screens trying to get the best positions. All seemed very civilised and friendly although there was an element of "I'm better than you because I have a bigger lens" with a couple of people!! Whether they know how to use them is a different matter and I'll never know I don't suppose!! The birds didn't disappoint and duly came to drink but unfortunately they do tend to leave it until quite late afternoon and the majority of the action seems to happen when the light is fading fast. I had hoped that the morning sessions would be better but I was told that was not the case, the birds don't visit in the morning it seems. A shame. The alternative is a trip to the Timber Yard which I did on one morning and a local walk on the second. With I hindsight I wish I had gone to the Timber Yard on both mornings, it was excellent. In summary I would definitely recommend a visit , it was amazing how far people had travelled to spend a night or two there and that says it all.

OMH is a haven for birds and birders. The bird bath with the hide provides serious birders/bird-watchers a great opportunity to observe and photograph exotic endemic and migratory bird species from up close. During our stay there we also had the enriching company of a group of seasoned birders. The hospitality of the staff is impeccable. Food simply delicious. Birding guides are very good in spotting and identifying. A thorough delightful experience in which we clicked many lifers.

Positives Nice big room with extra bed. Food is excellent. Staff is very helpful & courteous. The surroundings are very quiet & beautiful. Good for photographing a lot of birds, butterflies and insects. Cons: Since it's in the forest be cautious of reptiles & snakes which are a common feature. Fans in the rooms make a lot of noise.

We stayed at OMH in Oct 2022 for 3 days. It was a great experience. The jungle is exquisitely beautiful. The location of OMH is nice, close to Supa dam. The Manager Mr Nadaf and his team were extremely helpful and courteous. Food is simple but good choices and tasty. Deluxe rooms were very nicely appointed and clean considering the dense jungle environment. I would suggest that visitors avoid wet months to be able to avoid the menace of leeches that can spoil most jungle activities. Also come prepared for jungle trails and proper attire/shoes etc. IMO its not really a place for casual/short site-seeing tour.