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Culture & Living
On World Wildlife Day, we are taking our peripatetic pursuits to find India’s majestic, rare animals and cool off in style at chic wildlife resorts
A brush with a tiger just a few metres away from your vehicle, oblivious of human presence (and your camera clicking feverishly). Training your eyes to spot a leopard napping on a distant boulder. Staying quiet to hear the warning calls of a langoor. Watching a herd of deer passing by through your wildlife lodge’s window. A passing glance from a gaur at the watering hole. For sheer spectacle, nothing can beat the experience of an wildlife-focused holiday. And one of the most densely populated countries in the world, India is a byword for its varied wildlife just as the vast subcontinent itself. Today, safari holidays are mostly shaped with wildlife welfare at the forefront. So, grab your binoculars and head out on a safari in the country’s top national parks and check into the finest stays as your base for your wildlife discoveries.
“It is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park. Tadoba is one of the most successful breeding grounds for tigers, with 135+ tigers in its landscape (core and buffer). The chances of spotting a tiger here is approximately 90 per cent,” says Ratika Sinha Ramchandran, the owner and co-director of Svasara Jungle Lodge.
“Svasara is a Sanskrit word that means a bird’s nest. And that is what the property is, a home to the biodiversity in the region. Ours is a rewilding journey, and we have in the last ten years planted 2000+ indigenous tree species and in the process become a natural extension of the beautiful tiger reserve itself,” reveals Ratika Sinha Ramchandran. Svasara Jungle Lodge is nestled within 10 acres of forest and a stone throw away from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. “Our design ethos is especially unique as we have curated a ‘safari-chic’ aesthetic using contemporary and use of natural materials with local accents,” she adds. The 12 suites at this eco-friendly property boast warm, elegantly furnished interiors and every luxury amenity. Dining will be one of your highlights here, with a bevy of cuisines on offer. For an authentic experience, sample the spicy Varadi fare served at the Svasara Jungle Lodge. “The Teakhouse, with its outdoor dining, pool and jungle cinema, is perfect to unwind after a day in the wild. Expect an unmatched safari experience too: custom-fit jeeps and in-house naturalists to get an expert’s perspective on the local fauna and flora.” With sustainability at its core, the luxury lodge is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and eco-warriors.
“Kaziranga’s diverse habitats, from grasslands, forests to floodplains, makes it an ideal hotspot for herbivores and carnivores. You can see India’s very own ‘big five’: Indian rhino, Asiatic elephant, tiger, swamp deer and water buffalo. It is considered the last stronghold of Indian rhinos in the world and hence declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” reveals Munish Saraswat, general manager of Wild Mahseer.
“Wild Mahseer is surrounded by lush tea plantations and located with a 22-acre Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark, which has been curated by us. It is home to over 300 species of trees and plants, numbering over 1,00,000. Within the Ark, we have over 90 species of birds and 72 species of butterflies,” shares Munish Saraswat. The property is a nod to the lifestyle of the Raj-era. Seeped in history and named after teas, the five bungalows featuring 3-4 rooms were established by the British Assam Tea Company in 1864 for its specialists and supervisors. This is why it underpins a blend of Colonial and Assamese architecture. “The flagship stay, Burra Bungalow is certified as a ‘Heritage Building’ by the Directorate of Archaeology. Each accommodation has a private dining facility too. We call our ethos the E series: escape the everyday, embrace nature, explore history and culture, experience adventure, experience luxury. It’s all about romanticising with nature and with tea.” It’s no wonder that Wild Mahseer has hosted prominent guests like Aamir Khan and Karan Johar. A mix of Indian and continental fare is served at the First Flush.
The dry scrubland of Gir is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lions. The numbers of the big cat have now risen to an estimated 674 in the forest region and other revenue areas of coastal Saurashtra.
Sitting amidst eight acres of a lush mango orchard on the fringes of the Sasan Gir forest, Woods At Sasan is luxury at its best, but with a wellness touch. On entering, you’ll get the feeling that you have reached a spa resort. The 38 independent stays are dotted among bamboo groves and thickets of trees, which blur the divide between inside and the outside. The luxurious yet understated interiors showcase unpolished stone, lime plasters and elegant furniture custom-made from reclaimed wood. The best opportunity for unwinding include the Som wellness centre that offers a bevy of treatments across Ayurveda, naturopathy, acupuncture, yoga and meditation. Explore the four restaurants to savour everything, from delicious home-style cuisine to international delicacies. Whether you’re interested in exploring the rare wildlife of the Gir forest on a jeep safari, discovering local culture, meditating amidst nature or looking for a private culinary experience, the team at Woods At Sasan will tailor-made your itinerary.
“Velavadar’s Savannah grasslands and scrub provide optimum habitat for blackbucks. The threatened species of this corkscrew-horned Indian antelope has a population of over 4,500 here. Sightings are almost guaranteed, either grazing, crossing the road or jumping into a meadow,” says Mickey Desai, founder of The Blackbuck Lodge.
The 70-acre property sits along the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park. “The Blackbuck Lodge has 14 luxury cottages. The rooms are rustic yet modern, blending the indoors with the outdoors. Every cottage is outfitted with a sitting area, bedroom, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, along with a patio and a deck with lounge chairs overlooking the exquisite bush that are perfect for sunbathing. Our plunge pool cottage and pool villa also feature private pools,” Mickey Desai discloses. You’re likely to find blackbucks venturing close to the property, and you can also sight globally-threatened birds in the bushes. Apart from nature walks and wildlife viewing, find the time to curl up with a book at their natural history library or cycle to explore the premises. Dine at the lodge’s waterfront glassed-in dining room or dig into barbecued snacks and local Kathiawadi food under a starlit sky with a bonfire for company.
Jawai, in the Pali district of Western Rajasthan that lies between Udaipur and Jodhpur, is a remarkable place. In its hills, leopards roam wild and free. The wilderness of Jawai is not part of any national park or sanctuary. November and early March are the ideal time for a sighting of the big elusive cat.
Tucked inside 10 acres of land on the outskirts of the Kothar village, Bera Safari Lodge is a boutique property that offers five cottages. The standalone cottages that come with private sit-outs are well spaced out, providing with the utmost privacy. Rustic interiors, plush furniture and modern amenities add to its well-appointed interiors. If you get lucky, you might spot a leopard on the Liloda hill from your cottage’s window. Expect personalised service and a fantastic safari experience, with custom jeeps and excellent guides.
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