Ranthambore National Park is one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world. Located in Rajasthan, it is also one of the largest national parks in Northern India. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and became a part of Project Tiger in 1973. As the park is relatively small, guests often view leopards, tigers, and jungle cats.
This month, our hotel spotlight is on Khem Villas, a 5* luxury jungle camp that utilizes locally sourced materials and skills. The property was developed by a man named Goverdhan, the son of a popular tiger conservationist Fateh Singh Rathore. After Goverdhan completed medical school, he returned to Ranthambore to work with the community. He educated the villagers and engaged them with projects, making them less dependent on the park for natural resources and instead helping to protect Ranthambore and its inhabitants.
Khem Villas has three categories of accommodations:
Rooms: There are four spacious rooms in the main building that can be reserved individually or collectively for larger groups.
Luxury Tents: Modern yet simple, the tents feature private bathrooms and are supported on wooden platforms.
Luxury Cottages: Part of a 1600 sq foot private compound, the luxury cottages also feature a courtyard, veranda, and outdoor soaking tub.
The Age Veda Spa, set on 30 acres, offers guests walking trails, Ayurveda treatments, and sacred spaces for relaxation. Out of respect for nature, all the food served at Khem Villas is vegetarian. (For the meat lovers, you will be pleasantly surprised at the variation and taste of the veg options.) The property also has a small library and nightly campfires.
Sodha Travel offers custom tours in India that include Ranthambore National Park, or select a sample adventure itinerary like our popular Jungle Book package.
Please note: The core zones in Ranthambore National Park are closed in July, August, and September due to the monsoon. The remaining zones are open, but the tiger viewing is limited.