Contrary to popular belief, roughing it out isn’t the only way to enjoy the great outdoors — and it certainly doesn’t guarantee a gentler footprint. Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and the forests of the world are biodiversity hotspots and any tourism here needs to be consciously ecologically sustainable. How you spend your travel dollar can go a long way in ensuring that our forest belt and the communities who inhabit it are protected.
India is seeing a welcome surge in discerning travellers who seek immersive and sustainable wildlife experiences, beyond the safari and three meals routine. And today, there are homegrown mavericks who are bringing elevated, eco-conscious and mindful experiences in the lesser known sanctuaries of India. Wildlife Luxuries is among these ventures, reimagining the typical wildlife holiday.
Conceived by luxury travel connoisseurs, Wildlife Luxuries represents everything they found the best experiences around the world missed. True luxury should be everything you want it to be. And so began a journey of creating an experience that pays rare attention to each guest. Doing away with standard itineraries, menus and hours, every experience is personalised, assisted by a concierge throughout each stay. Consciously choosing places that are untouched, Wildlife Luxuries seeks to build destinations.
Escape into the wild: Forest retreats
In the bustle of urban living, just being in nature has become a luxury. For time immemorial, the forest has been a place to slow down, reflect and find centre. While the thrill of spotting big cats in the wild may bring you to one of the best wildlife sanctuaries of India, the calm of a forest retreat is what stays with you and brings you back again and again — this need for connection to nature is so innate, we may not even consciously realise it. It is this experience that the best wildlife experiences heighten, instilling in patrons a love and appreciation of our natural world.
Says Keyur Joshi, founder of Wildlife Luxuries, “In India, too often we confuse luxury with standardisation, wildlife with safari and sustainability with austerity.” He set out to create an experience that embodies the joys of the jungle beyond wildlife sightings; that is built to conserve natural resources; that transforms the local communities who have for generations protected these lands. And most of all, an experience that sees each guest as an individual with distinct tastes, and different reasons for each holiday.
In the lap of nature and luxury: Elevate your wildlife getaway
A luxury jungle resort, when designed right, can not only lower human impact but also actively enrich biodiversity. Designer Ariane Ginwala has incorporated principles of permaculture, low impact construction with natural materials and techniques like rammed earth building into the master plan for the resort. Located in a drought-prone zone, water was a precious commodity. Working with a permaculturist, the team rejuvenated the land with natural vegetation, strategically located water bodies and a robust rainwater harvesting system to reduce their impact on fragile ecosystems. The region had suffered from a long history of monoculture practice, started under the British. Over the last 5 years, a palette of 300 species of trees and shrubs was created, learning about them from local inhabitants.
Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries is an amazing example of how a sustainability-led design approach to forest resorts can benefit both the land and its people. 80% of its staff is from the surrounding villages of Marathwakdi. With only 19 villas across 34 acres, it ensures that every guest has a pocket of wild all to themselves. Just limiting the number of people visiting at a time also ensures that any impact tourism might have is reduced significantly.
Conceptualised by Chef Amninder Sandhu, menus at all three restaurants at Tipai focus on farm- to-fork dining using traditional methods that bring out the true flavour of organic produce—ground on a silbatta, cooked on open fire by a blend of chefs from the city and those in training from the local village which Wildlife Luxuries hopes to empower every step of the way.
Be a responsible wildlife traveler: How you can make a difference
As with everything else we consume, the more mindful we are about choosing well, the better it is
— for us and the planet. As conscious luxury travellers, here are a few things you should look for while choosing your next destination:
- Off the beaten track:
Instead of going to the most popular wildlife sanctuary already heaving under the pressure of unplanned development, choose unusual locations for a peaceful retreat. - Real eco lodges:
Don’t hesitate to ask resorts about their sustainability policy. Ask them about their methods and materials of construction, water treatment plan, landscaping philosophy and more. - Local community development:
Look for places where at least 75% of the staff is local — and are placed in all levels of the organisation. For any tourism to be sustainable, it must benefit the people who call the land home. - Authentic experiences:
While resorts may do whatever it takes to please guests, be responsible about your wants — can you avoid music in a gathering in a forest? Order from the local options on the menu; think of all the refrigeration sushi demands in a landlocked area. Avoid packaged water and support the resorts you choose on their sustainable journey!
Navigating Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries: Plan your eco-friendly jungle holiday
As a first of its kind forest resort in Tipeshwar, among the best wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra with a significant resident tiger population, Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries is committed to responsible eco tourism.
Our website will give you a good idea of the philosophy that drives our core team, our approach to building a sustainable hospitality brand as well as all the information you need about Tipai. You can make reservations online for our Pool Residences and Forest Villas, and speak directly to your concierge who will help craft a personalised wildlife getaway for you.
Wildlife holidays are a great way to enjoy nature, build awareness about biodiversity and help forest dwelling communities sustain dignified livelihoods. By choosing a destination that empowers the local community and takes their responsibility in protecting the environment seriously, you can make a difference.
