Located in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is an amazing place to experience the joys of a forest. Its relatively remote location has kept it away from mass tourism, making it one of the few places you can enjoy a wildlife safari without the traffic jams that Kanha, Tadoba, Pench and other more popular destinations face, especially in high season.
After five years of mindful, eco-conscious design and a vision that is deep rooted in the welfare of the local community, Tipai opened its doors to travellers seeking wildlife getaways that aligned with their values.
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary: What, where and why?
This biodiversity hotspot is situated in Pandharkawada in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal District. Spanning 148.63 sq km, its undulating woods and grasslands include the Patanbori and Parwa Ranges of the Pandharkawada Forest Division. It is around 170 km from Nagpur Airport and the closest rail head is at Adilabad in Telangana. Four rivers, namely Purna, Bhima, Krishna and Tapti irrigate the region. Three lakes (Gondwakdi, Jam and Saikheda) and a waterfall are within a short drive.
The deciduous forests of Tipeshwar look different in every season. Teak accounts for majority of the trees followed by Red Sandalwood, Achar, Mahua and Bhirra Tiwas. The park has around 250 species of bamboo amongst a range of diverse flora, which attracts a huge number birds and insects including 97 species of butterflies. Among the forest’s most majestic residents, and unsurprisingly its biggest draw, is the Royal Bengal Tiger. Besides the tiger, tourists may spot a host of other mammals on safari — from herbivores like Chinkara, Spotted Deer, Chousingha and Gaur to carnivores like Dhole, Leopard Cat and Panther and scavengers like Striped Hyena. It is home to significant populations of Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Sambar, Jackal, Wild boar and a host of primates. Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to182 types of birds and 26 species of reptiles.
Bespoke stays at Tipai by Wildlife Luxuries
Tipai, a sustainable luxury resort in Maharashtra is located in the the fringes of the buffer area of Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a 15 minute drive from the Sunna gate. At 34 acres in size with only 19 villas, a stay at Tipai offers each guest a pocket of wilderness all to themselves with all the comforts of a luxury resort.
Reforested on the principles of permaculture, vegetation at Tipai includes scientifically distributed species of trees, shrubs and herbs. The property is designed to recycle every drop of water that irrigates arid lands. Guests can choose between 4 pool residences and 11 forest villas. Each villa is built using sustainable techniques like rammed earth and stone masonry with vaulted terracotta roofs and natural stone floors. Private open showers blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, and each villa comes with large sitouts in addition to sprawling living rooms. Every bit of Tipai is built with care for the ecosystem — even the swimming pools are 100% chemical free with a natural filtration system.
A day at Tipai: Things to do
Breaking the mould of a typical wildlife stay, Tipai has more than just the thrill of a safari to offer.
Dining at Tipai
F&B is central to the Tipai experience. With three restaurants (Palaash, Wadi and Perch) conceived by Chef Amninder Sandhu, among India’s top 30 chefs, Tipai offers guests immersive farm-to-fork culinary experiences celebrating regional flavours from across the country as well as global cuisines. The kitchen focuses on local produce sourced from Tipai’s own kitchen garden and organic farms in the region. Women from the local villages make up more than 80% of the staff.
Wellness in the forest
Set in two villas, overlooking the forest on one side and a rain-fed watering hole on the other, Aaste, the spa at Tipai is designed to soothe the senses. Its menu of therapies draws from Ayurvedic traditions with native oils and ingredients from the Deccan and the Himalayas. Relax with a mani-pedi at the spa, after a well-deserved massage and cool off in bio pools that are as gentle on your skin as they are on the environment.
Bespoke experiences
From intimate weddings to family reunions, every gathering at Tipai is customised to each guest and occasion. Whether it’s a romantic getaway or a weekend with friends, everything from the itinerary to the meal is personalised. It’s a great place for customised retreats whether it’s for wellness, art or photography, all experienced in the lap of nature.
Wildlife safari
Last but far from the least, and in fact, the most popular reason tourists choose Tipeshwar is the wildlife safari. Tipai’s game drives are designed for an immersive experience. Led by knowledgable naturalists and kitted out with DSLRs and binoculars, feel the thrill of rare wildlife sightings as you set out in our open top 4W drives with a chef-cooked snack in tow.
Plan your trip now
Reserve your bespoke stay online, and allow our concierge to plan a personalised luxury wildlife getaway with Tipai. Tipai’s strategic location abutting the buffer zone is an ideal gateway to the wilderness of Tipeshwar. Our team of naturalists have mapped out the sanctuary and its neighbourhood to identify the best vantage points for birding and wildlife sightings as well as secret picnic spots by the lakes and waterfalls in the region.
Tipai is an eco luxury resort in Maharashtra that is as committed to conservation as it is to the welfare of local communities. If you are looking for a wildlife adventure where you can truly experience the luxury of being in a forest, this is just the place for you.
