Planning a safari to India.. At Indian Safaris, we feel that no visit to India is complete without steering off the beaten track, slipping on to a bumpy road or two to experience the region’s villages and smaller towns. Here are few of our favourite places to stay in India and enjoy the personalised services and local village life in and around the place.
Anopura, Jaipur, A Private Hideaway
Anopura, situated in a quiet rural corner on the outskirts of Jaipur, is designed as a secret hideout with entirely private indoor and outdoor spaces for guests – small enough to be a perfect buy out option. Cocooned within 60 acres of lemon groves and farmland are its four suites and a two bedroom villa built in a bucolic thatched style. Each room features terraces with views across lush gardens. Guests can idle poolside, have a massage under the Pomelo tree, take leisurely walks in the surrounding hills and countryside, go out on bird walks, take calming time out to Idle the hours away with a great book, visit the local village and dine on excellent locally-grown organic food and cocktails.
Dera Amer, Jaipur, A Private Sanctuary
Spread out over a 180-acres of forest and farmland, this private refuge is home to some very unlikely hosts—rescued elephants. The camp has 2 sets of tents – a pair of tents, each ideal for a couple or a family and a cluster of 4 tents together for a larger group – but no matter the number of people, your booking would always be entirely private. Each of these sophisticated spaces come with all the creature comforts one could ask for. Evenings here are spent around the camp fire under a blanket of stars. The days offer opportunities to spend time with the much loved resident elephants, visiting local villages, jeep rides into the countryside and unwinding to a back drop of birdsong and cicadas in this untouched region of Rajasthan on the edge of the city of Jaipur. Set to launch in October 2020, Dera Amer will open close to Sariska National Park. Your Own Private Camp will offer an xclusive camping experience on the edge of the Park – a 4.5 hour drive from Delhi to escape into the wild.
Shakti Himalaya, Kumaon. Ladakh. Sikkim, A Private Himalayan Adventure
The Shakti Himalaya experiences set across the mountain regions of Kumaon, Ladakh and Sikkim offer travellers the opportunity to take privately guided walking journeys through remote villages and beautiful Himalayan scenery, all in the shadow of the greatest mountain range in the world. Guests can experience a real connection with nature and witness, unobtrusively, a unique way of life in total privacy and comfort. Day hikes take you across rural villages, visiting ancient temples and monasteries, picnicking in the wild, taking in some breathtaking scenery and retreating to some of the most sophisticated and beautifully refurbished village homes. Be it winter in Kumaon and Sikkim or Ladakh in summer, the Shakti journeys are a perfect way to bring friends and family together for an adventure of a lifetime.
Flame of the Forest Safari Lodge, Kanha, A Private Jungle Retreat
A charming family-owned boutique four bedroom lodge set by the river Banjar, Flame of the Forest is a great small option on the edge of Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The four cottages are inspired by the traditional style of Central India. The accommodation is perfectly designed keeping privacy and tranquility in mind. The cottages boast their own courtyards and verandahs overlooking the river and outdoor daybeds allow you to gaze out into the bush or sleep under the stars. There are cosy nooks to read, take in the scenery and practice some yoga and mindfulness. Amidst the friendly ambience and romantic` setting there are also privately-guided, adventure packed jungle excursions and safaris. Kanha is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna that includes the Tiger, Indian Bison, Wolves, Bears to name a few. It’s just the perfect place in which to tune out.
Mihirgarh, Jodhpur, A Private Wilderness Escape
Overlooking the Thar Desert, Mihirgarh is a tribute to all things Rajasthan—a vibrant culture, royal heritage, and a unique desert wilderness. The fortress reflects an era gone by and the local style of the villages. Focused on environmental sustainability and responsible tourism the ethos of the management is to share a deep connection with the indigenous communities that neighbour it. The Marwari horses stabled on site are the pride of the property. Holiday itineraries are customisable to the rider’s experience – but riders need to be experienced to handle a strong (and beautiful) horse. Guests can ride out for overnight stays in beautiful and well-appointed, mobile tented camps. Shikhar dinners of traditional cuisine over campfires and the song and dance of the nomadic Rajasthani gypsies are an incredible window to age-old customs. Travels here are timeless, magical and quite unforgettable. With 9 bedrooms Mihir Garh would be perfect for a larger group of friends and family looking for an adventure that combines activity and peace.
Jobner Bagh, Jaipur, A Private City Oasis
Jobner Bagh is an oasis of calm and seclusion lying just beyond the edge of the old walled-city of Jaipur. This simple but much loved 11 bedroom boutique hotel makes the perfect buy-out option for a group of friends coming to Jaipur to shop and explore. What was once the garden of the Maharajah of Jobner’s haveli is now a charming boutique hotel with whitewashed walls, wide terraces, lattice-work windows and sunlit interiors furbished with antiques and vintage Indian pieces. Run by a family, Jobner is really a home away from home offering a warm ambience, excellent home-cooked meals and little nooks in the garden that are perfect for a snooze or a good read.
If you’d like to stay at any of this private hideaways, please get in touch. As specialists in private, bespoke journeys through the Indian sub-continent, we’d be happy to suggest / assist with your travel arrangements. For further information, you may like to browse through our sample itineraries.
