Have you been to wildlife resorts before? India’s distinctive national parks, unique sanctuaries, and diverse landforms with exotic species attract wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. To offer a one-of-a-kind experience, the wildlife resorts promise adventure and comfort through thoughtful integration of Indian architecture. With numerous site contexts and environmental settings, architectural interpretations for wildlife resorts range in different approaches. From luxe camps to stilt cabins to earthy bungalows to cozy hotels, strive to reduce the physical contact but offer 360 views.
Here, The Architect’s Diary presents 15 diverse wildlife resort architecture in India. It merges the beauty of the jungle and provides enough comfort with a touch of local aesthetics and luxury.
Enhancing reverse urbanization, Stone Lodges is a famous post-pandemic retreat with the theme of wildlife resorts. Located in a forested hillside of Wayanad, Kerala, it includes private residences spread across sloping land towards the mountain. Villas blend harmoniously with the mountain, which uses natural materials like wood, random-rubble walls, cobblestone pathways, and log rafters. Designed with sustainability and innovation, they showcase a wilderness with an environmentally responsible aesthetic, making them a collectible that ages graciously.
Reminiscent of royal caravans, the Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort is the best 5-star hotel in Ranthambhore. It offers opulent tented accommodations, a triple canopied, air-conditioned, and furnished with all the latest amenities. The restaurant features a beautiful dining area with sparkling chandeliers and hand-painted murals depicting Ranthambhore and its tigers on the walls. A private jungle safari and a drive in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve are the major attractions for visitors worldwide.
To all the visitors of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, don’t miss out on this eco-wildlife resorts within the national park. Located in the Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary, it considers its target users as wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists. Without disturbing the cultivated land, the 16-cabinet resort enhances the biodiversity of responsible tourism. The welcome area encircles the lake, along with a green corridor that is accessible for fauna and lookout visibility from the human habitat. The landscape features gold to brown hues and architectural interventions using local sandstone and adobes, reducing material consumption and enhancing ecological appeal.
Namah Resort is a riverfront enclave in the picture-perfect Jim Corbett National Park. Located in a setting bordered by wildlife and enchanted surroundings, in Dhikuli. Choose from 48 modern rooms and suites with stylish designs inspired by nature, featuring picturesque balcony views. Designed in a style across categories like rooms with garden view, scenic view, and mountain view. Leisure hours can be utilized, like an unforgettable bird-watching evening, a trek to explore, and crafted cuisine with a culinary team. The major interest includes off-roading mountain drives and jungle drives.
Explore the eco-luxe resort in Kanha National Park, blending luxury, wilderness, community living, and sustainability. It is an eco-luxe wildlife resorts nestled in 16 acres of natural forest. The cottages, inspired by traditional Gond architecture, are meticulously designed using locally available materials. The built-up area is less than 5% of the surrounding natural forest. The lodge and its furniture are made from local waste wood and recycled wood, showcasing the highest standards in green architecture.
If you are looking to listen to nature’s music from the wilderness, travel to this amazing wildlife resort. Located in one of the hilly districts of Wayanad, this resort is a beautiful disconnect from urban life to thrive in the lap of the forest. Tucked up between upright parallel trees, the architectural character is a compact adobe using earthy materials. Without disturbing the average slope of 30 degrees, the whole setting mingles with flora and fauna. This offers a niche space for wildlife lovers to reflect, rethink, and learn too.
In the heart of Bandhavgarh National Park, discover a luxurious tent adventure with a colonial safari atmosphere at The Untamed Bandhavgarh. The park’s picturesque landscape, adorned with hill slopes and dense Sal forests, offers an enchanting backdrop for an untamed adventure. The luxury tents feature private patios, elegant interiors with netted windows, writing desks, mini-fridges, and tea and coffee brewing facilities. The thoughtful master plan with the atmosphere allows for cycling, avenues for local dance performances, jungle serenity, and bird watching.
Relax in the serenity of the 34-acre wilderness encompassing the pool houses and jungle villas on the edge of Tipeshwar. Each residence comprises an ample master suite that offers indoor and outdoor living areas, breathtaking vistas, and complete privacy. The resort offers an equipped-setting to celebrate personal milestones, a culinary treat, a well-being retreat, and learn local folk art. Additionally, the premise gives you facilities to conference and engage in leadership meetings and work.
The luxurious wildlife resort is near the world-renowned Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, offering a serene escape from city life surrounded by lush greenery. It features a high pitched roof and a complementary color palette, enhancing its appeal to visitors. The unique roof angle helps keep rooms cooler, and the geometric structures and earthy colors complement the surroundings. It offers 52 luxurious accommodations, some designed in the Bhunga style, across four categories. They are Classic Deluxe, Classic Luxury, Luxury Cottage, and Premium Cottage Room.
Jungle Hut is located in the foothills of Nilgiris, with no telephones, no TV, and no traffic noise. It also offers multiple accommodation options. Premium rooms, deluxe tents, and classic rooms amidst the flora and fauna will be a delight for bird watchers. Sustainability and social sustainability are the twin pillars of creating an eco-habitat between the buffers of wildlife areas.
The sun-drenched brown and rain-washed green houses a living dwelling in Mysuru. Situated in the tropical deciduous forest, Bandipur, it is closer to the Mysuru airport. The elegant atmosphere for the stay is designed in different types, including a mountain view courtyard and log hut. Serves the purpose of a long stay, offering activities like a bull cart ride, a jungle safari, bird trails, and more. The dining area design is beneath trees and beside the jungle, treating you to a culinary feast.
The Fern Gir Forest Resort is surrounded by lush greenery, verdant meadows, scenic hills, and eye-catching gardens, and connected to the Gir sanctuary. This wildlife resort has gained worldwide recognition as the top forest retreat. The resort comprises 40 designed rooms, including tents, cottages, suites, and villas, all showcasing style and elegance. The resort prioritizes sustainability and eco-friendliness through local materials and construction methods, minimizing environmental impact. It incorporates energy-efficient systems to reduce carbon footprints. The design incorporates traditional Indian and local influences, using locally sourced materials and motifs.
This wildlife resort in Wayanad is a chance to see nature in an unseen or untamed manner. It is situated in the heart of the rainforest, about 65 km from Kozhikode International Airport. With rooms sneaking out from the treetops and infinity pools from the foliage, visitors can feel in the lap of nature.
The living experience includes superior and deluxe rooms with a jacuzzi. Semi-open dining offers a regionally delicious culinary experience. The jungle and natural activities include Jeep safaris and tours of local flora and fauna. The canopy allows one to view migratory birds, light treks, hiking, cycling, zip-lining, and bamboo rafting are the other attractions.
Wild Planet Jungle Resort is South India’s one of the most remote wildlife resorts. It has the best air quality in one of India’s top 5 regions, This eco-adventure resort is located in the range of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Nestled in the forested mountains of the western ghats, it offers a hilltop cottage, a luxury pavilion, a jungle log house, and a valley view cabin. The eco-friendly design of treehouse accommodation and usage of sustainable materials seamlessly blend with the environment. An eco-resort truly satisfies the visitors with activities like jungle walks, bird watching, zip lines, and more.
This 42-room resort, set within 20 acres of green tea gardens, is accessible off the national highway. Other amenities include a multi-cuisine restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, a spa, landscaped gardens, and more for a relaxing getaway. During Kaziranga National Park’s open months, they offer jeep-elephant safaris, river cruises, and cycling tours. Furthermore, collaboration with local communities for unique experiences like folk dance performances and village visits.
Beyond only relaxation, these examples of wildlife resorts provide added advantages to immersing in nature. The outdoor exposure at these wildlife resorts is more than witnessing natural flora; it gives a carefully curated jungle experience. From reading about and viewing exotic national parks of India in school to growing up and experiencing them firsthand, it has always been special. Now, with well-developed eco-architecture like wildlife resorts, we are truly blessed!
Did you enjoy reading about India’s wildlife resorts? Read this now: 15 Beautiful Animal Sanctuaries in India
Content Writing and Research By: Ar. Baarat Krishna
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