Luxury Meets Wilderness at These 5 Wildlife Resorts in India

The forest is enchanting, mysterious and wild. A stay right in its heart, from where you can spot a leopard, a bison or a herd of wild elephant, is what amazing holidays are made of. India, too, has a handful of such exclusive stays, if you seek them.

Wildlife Resorts in India

Suján Jawai, Rajasthan

One of the most exclusive wilderness camps in India, Suján Jawai is located inside the Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve, amid granite hills, scrubland, caves, a dam and a wetland. This 10-tented Relais & Châteaux property is also home to about 55 to 60 leopards, making it among the most densely populated leopard habitats in the country. Bold wild cats of Jawai roam freely in the area, and are often seen walking around the luxury camp as well, especially in the mornings.

Taj Pashan Garh, Panna, Madhya Pradesh

Taj Pashan Garh, close to the Panna National Park, doesn’t compromise on luxury. Each of the 12 stone cottages inside the 200-acred private forest has a private verandah, gazebo, and an outdoor bathroom with glass walls and unhindered forest views. It’s not uncommon to find huge Sambar deer or Nilgai grazing next to the cottage. Sometimes, civet cats, leopards, or even tigers can be seen chilling by the property’s swimming pool.

The Bamboo Forest Nature Conservancy, Umred Karhandla Sanctuary, Maharashtra

The 10 luxury lodges, termed ‘nests’, of the property, as well as the decks at the Umred Karhandla Sanctuary, are built on stilts to allow for the unobstructed passage of animals. Tigress F2 and her five cubs are regular visitors. In fact, visitors have often spotted the cubs playing while the mother naps. The family can also be seen walking under the cottages, marking their territory. Gaurs also stroll through the property while civet cats spend the night on the lodges’ roofs. Thus, guests are not allowed to venture beyond the rooms unattended; a security guard always escorts.

Beyond offering a safe haven to the wild, The Bamboo Forest Nature Conservancy also works towards growing the forest cover, aiming to rewild 250 acres of farmland into grasslands.

The Bison Resort, Kabini, Karnataka

This one is a wildlife lover’s paradise. The Bison Resort is situated at the confluence of the Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, making it the only property located on the shores of the Kabini River. This strategic positioning makes the resort—which is home to a mix between African wildlife tented camps and the old lodges of the Raj—an ideal spot for game viewing. It’s not uncommon to see elephants graze on the other side of the riverbanks. Spotted deer, sambar, and wild boar are a common sight. Guests have also seen the resident leopard on premises. Lucky ones can even spot tigers walking along the banks of the backwaters, all while lounging in the camp.

The Postcard In The Durrung Tea Estate, Assam

Set amidst 1,400 acres of tea plantations in Tezpur, The Postcard In The Durrung is centred around a 19-century tea planters’ bungalow. Today, this hotel hopes to promote tea tourism and introduce guests to life on a tea estate.

But one can find more than brewed goodness here. This 12-suite and chalet resort is located in an elephant corridor, which means there is a good chance of seeing herds of the friendly giant walking around.