World Wildlife Day: Best luxury wildlife resorts in India
- Featured Lifestyle Travel & Hospitality
RIDDHI DOSHI
- 31 minutes read
Pooja Patel
As travelling to most places outside India is still restricted, people are exploring local destinations like never before. On World Wildlife Day, we list a few amazing wildlife resorts that you must visit to forest bathe and enjoy Incredible India.
The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambhore, Rajasthan
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Ranthambhore is one of the most popular national parks in Northern India to spot tigers and is dotted with several safari resorts. One such property is the Oberoi Vanyavilas. The rooms here are tent-shaped, inspired by the royal tents of the travelling caravans from a bygone era. These spacious villas have a triple canopied roof for heat resistance, a large writing desk a canopied king-sized bed, plush armchairs, and a private garden. You can book a 4×4 safari jeep from the hotel to spot the Royal Bengal tigers, which are estimated to be around 70 in the reserve.
Website: www.oberoihotels.com
Banjaar Tola: A Taj Safari, Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
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Located by the Banjaar river, this Taj property overlooks the dense forest of Kanha National Park. Each elegant camp has a pool along with outdoor and indoor lounges. Nestled amidst 90 acres of private Sal forest, the tented suites give a fabulous view of the river Banjaar. The property is decorated with Gond artwork, Bastar bell metalwork and intricate stone carvings. The wildlife safari rides are conducted twice a day in the hotel’s specially designed 4×4 jeep. Though tigers are the show stealers here, Kanha is also known for Barasinghas (hard ground swamp deer).
Website: www.tajhotels.com
Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga
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Home to the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park is heaven for wildlife lovers. Diphlu River Lodge, as the name suggests, is located near the River Diphlu and is known for its close proximity to Kaziranga National Park. Out of the 12 cottages, four are river-facing and the rest face the paddy fields. Each cottage has a wide folding glass door that opens onto a verandah. Guests can choose from various options—jeep safaris to spot the one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park, dolphin boat safaris that sails on the Brahmaputra River to spot the Gangetic dolphins, visit nearby tea gardens or bathe the elephants. The Duke ((Prince William) and Duchess (Catherine) of Cambridge, stayed here in 2016.
Website: www.diphluriverlodge.com
Kaav Safari Lodge, Mysore
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This beautiful boutique property is steeped inside the Kabini forest, which is home to the elusive black panther, leopards, elephants, tigers and Great Indian hornbill. The luxury tents have a private deck and an open bathtub. The viewing deck of the hotel overlooks the spectacular forest vistas. Apart from the usual safari rides in Kabini, the property also gives an option of cycling in the forest for you to enjoy the environs at your own pace.
Website: www.kaav.com
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
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This luxury hotel’s USP is that all its rooms come with a mountain view. It is one of the best places to stay while you go chasing a snow leopard or blue sheep in Hemis National Park. The property’s colossal luxury, 900 sq-ft suite has Italian marble flooring, elegant teak wood cornices, fixtures adorned with jewel-toned brocades embossed with floral and geometric designs. The hotel’s restaurant serves authentic Ladakhi, Chinese and Tibetan food.
Website: www.thegranddragonladakh.com
Mahua Kothi: A Taj Safari, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
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The Mahua Kothi Lodge has 12 spacious cottages with covered seating and traditional stone floors. The luxurious resort is named after the Mahua tree that is found in abundance around the property. Situated right outside the Bandhavgarh National Park, the rooms here have terracotta roofs and private patios. While dining at their restaurant, you can pick fresh vegetables and fruits from the lodge’s private organic gardens and make a delicious salad. You can opt for their jungle safaris for a thrilling tiger trail or nature trails to explore the forest on foot with a trained expert or visit the local villages that are home to the indigenous Gond and Baiga tribes.
Website: www.tajhotels.com
Paatlidun Safari Lodges, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand
Located on the edge of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, this resort is frequented by tuskers and wild boars at night. They have eight premium, 2,000-sq-ft cottages with large verandahs. Each cottage-suite has a pool and sunbeds. You can opt for a jeep safari to chase the tigers and the tuskers or go river romping with baby elephants and crocodile-watching.
Website: www.patlidun.com
Aman-I-Khas, Ranthambhore, Rajasthan
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Situated on the threshold of the Ranthambhore National Park, the resort is dotted with large tents. The luxurious property is spread across 10 acres and is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan. All the 10 tents have a free-standing bathtub and shower, a twin writing desk. Book jeep safaris here to spot tigers.
Website: www.aman.com
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