Relearning The Language of The Wild With Jungle Camps India
An Riveting experience into Central India's forests reveals how Jungle Camps India crafts sustainable, slow-living experiences that foster deep connections with nature and local communities
When we arrived at Bhima village near the Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, the festival of Bail Pola (Honoring our cattles) was in full swing. In the predominantly agrarian regions of Maharashtra, like Marathwada and Vidarbha, Pola is celebrated with immense enthusiasm and devotion, and that same vibrant spirit echoed through these local villages. Sprawling green fields stretched along both sides of the road, a sight deeply soothing to the eyes. Nurtured by the rains, young paddy crops carpeted the land like a lush green velvet rug. To eyes weary of being boxed in by urban concrete jungles, these soft, fine fields of green and yellow gently swaying in the breeze felt like pure bliss. There stood solitary, faithful trees acting as silent sentinels, while simple huts set for the farmers' convenience sat in the center of the fields.
With the sowing and planting season wrapped up, farmers were enjoying a well-deserved period of rest. Alongside them, their true hardworking partners in the field—the bullocks—were also getting a break. A bountiful harvest is unimaginable without them. Recognizing the hard work of these family members rather than just cattles, people across Madhya Pradesh were happily celebrating this day to shower them with love, affection, and honor. Cows and bullocks were being ritualistically worshipped, many adorned with colorful painted designs. Decked out beautifully, they were being fed sweet delicacies. At various places, villagers were also seen worshipping deities at the bases of ancient trees. Sudden rain showers prompted a brief flurry of activity as cattle were guided under the eaves of houses for shelter. As local farmers here are not wealthy, large enclosed barns were nowhere to be seen, despite the tiger-inhabited forest lying just next door.
Interestingly, as we drove through the villages, small children and young teenagers playfully blocked our vehicle to ask for a festive token. It was a delightful sight to witness; the kids were playing on the road with small wooden bullock carts. Whenever they spotted our Pench Jungle Camp India's jeep, they would drop a small wooden log in front of the vehicle to stop us and ask for a reward. Our driver handed money to a few and promised others he would catch them on the way back.
It was all lighthearted fun in the true spirit of the festival, built on a foundation of trust: these villagers have known Jungle Camps India for twenty-five years. Since 2002, Pench Jungle Camps India has served as a pillar of support and an integral part of the local community. This bond was not forced; it was a deeply genuine, affectionate, and hopeful connection built over years of working side by side. As our journey unfolded, the profound importance of Jungle Camps India's relationship with the locals became clearer.
Gajendra Singh Rathore, a Chartered Accountant by professional education, laid the foundation of Jungle Camps India right here in the forests of Pench. He initially established a small jungle lodge, which is now completing nearly twenty-five years. His work frequently brought him to the forests of India, particularly Central India. A natural born lover of the outdoors, Gajendra Singh fell in love with the landscape, the climate, villages, and people of Madhya Pradesh's Pench forest.
Gajendra Singh Rathore, Chairperson & Managing Director, Jungle Camps India Limited
This deep bond with Pench started in 2002 and has since expanded to Kanha, Tadoba, and Bandhavgarh. Back when wildlife tourism was still a novel concept in India, Gajendra Singh Rathore pioneered a brand centered on conservation-led hospitality rather than simply enticing tourists with tiger sightings. Today, Jungle Camps India Limited (BSE: 544304) stands as the only publicly listed wildlife safari company on the Indian stock market, holding a leading position among a select few trusted safari brands. Experiencing this journey firsthand makes every traveler feel like an active participant in its growth.
View Tower at Pench Jungle Camps India
Every year brings new trends to the tourism industry, and over the last five to six years, "experiential tourism" has gained immense popularity. While this trend has entered the wildlife sector, much of it has turned commercial under the guise of "slow living." Jungle Camps India, however, resists these superficial trends, remaining firmly anchored to its core philosophy. While it would have been easy to adopt a purely commercial model, a visit to Pench Jungle Camps India reveals how intentionally Gajendra Singh Rathore avoided that path. Tucked away amidst dense thickets of bamboo and indigenous trees, the camp blends into the forest landscape.
Pench Jungle Camps India
When asked how the camp puts environmental sustainability into practice, Yash Rajput, the General Manager at Pench Jungle Camps India who has managed the property for over ten years, explains: "Nothing here goes to waste. Everything is reused with nature in mind, or if it has served its purpose, we leave it to naturally decompose into the earth. For instance, while we use fallen timber where appropriate, trees naturally decay over time and we simply allow them to return to nature. Our ethos isn't about greedily taking everything nature offers."
Skeleton of Sambar Deer
With founder Gajendra Singh Rathore hailing from Rajasthan, the hospitality at Pench Jungle Camp combines gracious courtesy and humility with the innate warmth characteristic of Madhya Pradesh. There is no attempt to overwhelm guests with ostentatious amenities; instead, the focus is on thoughtful, sincere service that leaves a lasting impression, drawing guests back time and again.
Under Yash Rajput's meticulous management, the 50-acre property offers 31 beautiful accommodation options, including spacious Swiss tents and cottages. Despite being surrounded by dense foliage, the cottages are spotlessly maintained, with careful measures to ensure insects and pests do not disturb guests indoors. Heartfelt hospitality also extends to the dining table. The culinary experience here is a rich blend of Rajasthani and Madhya Pradesh flavors, annually specially guided by renowned celebrity chef Michael Swamy. One taste of the flavorful, and innovative dishes confirms this culinary dedication. The commitment to local communities is evident in every detail; from the exquisite Gond art painted on walls by local tribal artists to the fresh, organic vegetables sourced directly from nearby village farms.
Restaurant at Pench Jungle Camps India
Gond Tribal Art
Situated in the Khawasa buffer zone, just about 2 km from the Turia Gate of Pench National Park, this retreat has welcomed wildlife enthusiasts for twenty-five years. Adjoining the core area, the resort includes their own large Eco Park. While we might normally watch birds in our backyard at home, staying at Pench Jungle Camps India makes you feel as though you are in the backyard of the king of the jungle—after all, this forest belongs to the tigers.
Tents at Pench Jungle Camps India
Guided by the principle of "dust to dust," all resorts under the brand—including Pench, Tadoba, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh—strictly respect the laws of nature. Tigers occasionally make kills within property boundaries, yet the ecosystem remains entirely undisturbed. Animals move freely, and humans walk the same paths. Instead of instilling unnecessary fear in tourists, the staff presents simple facts, sparking guests' curiosity to learn more about surrounding biodiversity.
Prabeer Patil, Chief Naturalist at Pench Jungle Camps India, shares that the company has planted over 400,000 native trees (such as Sal, Teak, and Bamboo) to date, and around 272 bird species have been recorded on the property. Naturalists like Patil and Samrat Godambe do not merely guide visitors through the forest—they teach them how to "read" the wilderness. Slowly, one finds oneself falling in love with Pench forest, much like Rudyard Kipling did. During a buffer zone drive in Khawasa towards Teliya gate, breakfast is served right on the open jeep. Even then, one's attention drifts from the food to the surrounding flora, wondering where the long dirt road leads into the deep forest, or holding out hope for a tiger sighting after spotting fresh pugmarks along the trail.
White-Rumped Shama
While a unified operational philosophy ties all properties together, each resort possesses its own distinct identity. All Jungle Camps India resorts reflect the creative vision of renowned architect Dean D’Cruz. The cottages across Pench, Kanha, Tadoba, Rukhad, and Bandhavgarh vary widely in location, architecture, ambience, and cuisine. Yet, every property is crafted so exceptionally that choosing a favorite is impossible. From the thoughtfully designed brand logo to the sustainable use of resources, it is easy to see why Jungle Camps India has consistently earned love and appreciation from tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. Pench Jungle Camp India has received TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice distinction since 2015.
Luxury Safari Tent at Pench Jungle Camps India
About a thirty-minute drive from the Pench property lies Rukhad Jungle Camp India. Its spacious accommodations are truly exceptional: two elevated machan-style cottages by the lake near Dudhiya nursary, four "Jal Mahal" cottages in the dense jungle, and a treehouse-style elevated cottage overlooking a marshy pond at Daldali. The property also features a large machan that comfortably seats ten to fifteen people—an ideal spot to relax, unwind, and pursue hobbies like birdwatching or writing. For wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, these six secluded lakeside cottages are paradise. Because Rukhad lies directly within a crucial tiger corridor and buffer zone, it holds immense ecological value for researchers and conservationists. The Rukhad property received Travellers’ Choice 2026 in its first year.
Jalmahal at Rukhad Jungle Camps India
Equally breathtaking is Kanha Jungle Camps India, spread across 40 acres of wilderness. Located just 8 km from the Mukki Gate of Kanha National Park, this property opened in 2022 and earned TripAdvisor's Best of the Best award within just two years, alongside annual Travellers' Choice recognitions. Wildlife camera-trap studies have been conducted in this area since 2006.
A defining feature of Kanha Jungle Camps India is the natural stream flowing through the center of the resort, which swells dramatically during the monsoons. Eight elevated cottages line the banks of this stream, part of a total of 23 unique cottages on the property.
Elevated cottage at Kanha Jungle Camps India
Unlike Pench, where the core forest adjoins the front of the property, Kanha's core boundary touches the rear of the resort. Consequently, spotting wildlife or hearing alarm calls directly from cottage balcony is a regular occurrence. Much like Pench, Kanha's ecosystem remains completely intact and protected. Without relying on pretentious titles to resorts, the rich biodiversity surrounding Pench and Kanha retreats serves as a living classroom, preparing guests before they step foot into the national parks. Kanha national park's Khapa buffer zone is near to Kanha Jungle Camps India's resort, where one can gor for the safari or trail.
Researchers suggest that since the 1800s, we have lost countless words once used to describe the natural world. This loss is far more significant than it appears. Even the Oxford Junior Dictionary previously replaced several nature-related words to make room for technical terms. Because dictionaries reflect a society's language and communication, erasing words derived from nature is a troubling trend, one that is unfortunately taking root in India as well. Local dialects and indigenous languages have traditionally gifted us countless words to describe our environment. Today, however, many of us can no longer name local trees, flowers, or birds. We have lost touch with the language of nature. We forget the name of the canopy tree adorned with pink blossoms along the road, or fail to identify the vibrant blue bird perched daily on the fig tree.
Sitout deck of elevated cottage at Kanha Jungle Camps India
As our vocabulary shrank, our perception of nature was reduced to generic terms like "trees," "flowers," or "animals." In doing so, we eroded our connection to them. Naturally, we cannot protect what we do not know or love. How can anyone expect people to advocate for the conservation of an environment they no longer recognize? To overcome this "plant blindness" and rebuild that lost connection, one must visit nature inspired retreats like Jungle Camps India. Here, the experience goes far beyond tracking tiger sightings. The entire team lives in harmony with the environment, helping guests understand and respect the laws of nature.
Jungle Camps India stands as a prime example of peaceful coexistence with wildlife. Guests return to their city lives carrying a vital realization: take as little as possible from nature, and strive to preserve its raw beauty intact.
