India's top 5 luxury safari experiences for nature lovers
India, with its boundless diversity of landscapes and habitats, has long been a sanctuary for some of the world's most captivating wildlife. With over 100 national parks and more than 500 wildlife sanctuaries, it is a biodiversity powerhouse and one of the most exciting luxury safari destinations in the world. India's nature reserves aren't just about animal and bird sightings but also an opportunity to experience some of the most extraordinary ecosystems in the world, connect with nature in a more meaningful way, and contribute to the preservation of the country's rich biodiversity.
India's eco-conscious wildlife lodges have redefined jungle living, offering sustainable, immersive experiences where five-star comfort meets conservation, reiterating that nature here is an indulgence as much as it is an adventure.
WHERE TO VISIT
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
The ancient hills of this national park in Madhya Pradesh are one of the best places in the world to see elusive Bengal tigers as they have one of the highest tiger densities in India. Explore dense forests and the ruins of a 2,000-year-old fort often punctuated by peacocks, wild boar, leopards, and sambar deer.
For elevated-yet-sustainable jungle living, stay at the ultra-luxe new addition to India's safari circuit, The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh. Seamlessly blending into the surrounding sal forest, the property features spacious tented suites, open-air bathtubs, a private plunge pool, and a fireplace. Your days will begin with game drives led by Oberoi-trained naturalists in open-top jeeps and end with curated dinners showcasing local ingredients under the stars.
KABINI
Further south, in Karnataka, Kabini sits at the edge of Nagarhole National Park, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, home to over 250 species of birds and mammals, making it one of the richest ecological zones on the planet. Though tigers, leopards and wild dogs do roam here, it's the Asiatic elephants that steal the show as they trumpet and bathe in the tree-fringed river that gives Kabini its name.
Evolve Back, Kabini, a sustainable five-star wilderness lodge, modelled on local tribal architecture, is the property
to experience. Each of the villas
are inspired by the local Kadu Kuruba tribes and feature jacuzzis, infinity pools, open-air showers, and cinematic forest views. Look forward to forest walks, expert-led jeep safaris, Ayurvedic spa treatments, slow-cooked Karnataka cuisine, and sunrise boat safaris gliding through the backwaters with sightings of marsh crocodiles, wild boar, otters, and countless birds.
RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK
Situated in eastern Rajasthan is one of India's most iconic wildlife sanctuaries, Ranthambhore National Park. Once a royal hunting ground, it is now famed for its sightings of elusive Bengal tigers lounging against the backdrop of 10th-century Ranthambhore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is also home to sloth bears, Indian leopards and over 300 species of birds.
Suján Sher Bagh, Ranthambhore is a plush-yet-sustainable tented camp in the heart of the park. Learn about the park's ecology, its royal history, and tiger population from expert naturalists during a personalised safari, unwind in a luxury tent each equipped with four-poster beds and a private deck offering spectacular views of the surrounding wilderness, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a candlelit dinner featuring local Rajasthani flavours next to the campfire .
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
This park in Assam is a remote UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its population of more than 2,000 greater one-horned rhinoceros roaming its floodplains along with elephants, wild buffalo, swamp deer, big cats, and a myriad species of birds, including storks
and hornbills.
Charming Diphlu River Lodge offers safaris to see rhinos grazing in the fields. Stay in stilted thatched-roof cottages with riverfront verandas, go on tribal village visits, take a boat ride down the Brahmaputra River, go on nature walks, and learn about the local tea-growing community.
GIR NATIONAL PARK
This Gujarat hotspot is the only place in the world where you can witness Asiatic lions roaming freely in the wild. The park, with its unique ecosystem of dry deciduous forest and scrubland, also hosts leopards, hyenas and a variety of bird species.
Aramness Gir, a beautiful 18-kothi safari lodge, is nestled between the lush teak forest and the Gir National Park. One can expect to escape into nature with early morning safaris and have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see several species of woodland birds. Each villa at Aramness Gir offers a private sanctuary, with large windows to enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding wilderness, expansive bathrooms, and private plunge pools.
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