Tiger Hunting and Glamping in India

Tigers and India are the image of the Raj and romantic India. Unfortunately the reality is that tigers are now rare and endangered in India with only around 1400 left in the country. So to see tigers, in their natural habitat is not an easy quest, which is why so many wildlife enthusiasts come to Rathambore National Park, in Rajasthan.

Tiger, Rathambore National Park, India

Rathambore is a unique sanctuary for wild tigers, adjacent to the ancient town and fort of the same name, which dates from 944. The park has been home to tigers for a 1000 years. Before the tigers were protected, Rathambore was a hunting ground for the ruling royal family. These days the only hunting allowed is with a very long telephoto lens. Only 3.5 hours by private car from Jaipur and its bustling streets, Rathambore is a world away.

The National Park is a walled off area which includes ancient monuments and temples. The tigers don’t have it all to themselves though, there are also leopards, stripped hyenas, sambar deer, peacock, monkeys, sloths, bears and even some Egyptian crocodiles, imported when a local Maharajah liked the look of them!

Accommodation in the park is camping - but this is glamour camping (glamping) on a scale that makes the Australian upmarket camps look decidedly middle-class . The camp, Aman-i-Khas is created anew after each monsoon, which only the concrete pads of the tents remain on site for. I use the term “tent” in the Maharaja sense of the word. This is tent with four rooms including ensuite and enclosed verandah. Hot water and top-of-the-range toiletries are to hand of course as is room service (tent service?). Air-conditioning too! The only thing not available is a TV - there’s one in the library-tent near the dining-tent. A spa tent offers Indian massages to smooth away all those aches and pains from riding in the back of an Indian jeep. This is most definitely 5-star luxury camping.
Pre-dinner drinks are offered around the roaring fire and there is even a temple-like swimming pool to cool off in. Aman-i-Khas is approximately 3.5 hours south of Jaipur which has international connections, or is a quick 1/2 hour flight from New Delhi. Guests can travel accompanied, in First Class train comfort: always an interesting way to see India. Alternatively a car and driver will take around the same time, or helicopter transfers are available.

Once you are through “roughing it” in the “camp”, you may want to extend your stay a few hours north at Aman Resorts sister property Amanbagh. Set in a a secluded valley between New Delhi and Jaipur but again about a million miles away from them in terms of landscape and atmosphere. Here the property is permanent - 24 Haveli suits and 16 pavilions set in what was once a Moghul hunting staging post. Around 200 staff look after the guests and manicured grounds. Mirrored pools suites are larger than some people’s homes and of course there is fantastic cuisine on offer. Here the excursions are not to see the wildlife but to explore the local colourful rural communities.

Whether you stay at both or one of these wonderful resorts you will have a fantastic time in India!