As we travel ever further and wider there is a collective urge to put down the book at the poolside and set out to unearth the spirit of a country. The most lasting memories of a place always come from engaging in its culture in the most immersive way possible; meeting local people, eating local food and trying to live – if fleetingly – in the essence of this foreignness. Whilst towns and cities of India are grinding and spilling over with the frenetic energy of its culture, some of the most precious encounters can be found in more peaceful places, in India’s beautiful wilderness.
The National Parks within India have different attractions; unique flora and fauna, and stunning wildlife – a whole ecosystem of beautiful creatures and life forms. Stop and listen to the sounds in the wilderness; the chorus of birds; the alarm calls of animals. It is a truly sensorial experience and once you have experienced the true spirit of the jungle it will remain with you forever.
In the far eastern stretch of India, among the tall elephant grasses of Kaziranga there is the greatest population of the one horned rhinoceros, where blazing orange figures of swamp deer cross the muted green hues of marshland and wild water buffalo rush through the water of the river Brahmaputra.
At Ranthambore in Rajasthan, thick forest morphs into open bush where ancient banyan trees and clusters of mango trees mark the landscape. In this renowned reserve tigers live alongside leopard, chinkara, porcupines, marsh crocodile and monitor lizards. Satpura allows you to experience walking safaris, and kayaking on its large reservoir.
At Kanha you are immersed in the landscape of Kipling’s Jungle Book, where the Bengal tiger, the Black Panther, the sloth bear and the Indian elephant are all real characters of the landscape, and darting colours of birds flit through the forest gorging on the nectar of the blood-red palash flowers.
Nagarhole is home to the largest congregation of Asiatic elephants in the world, and safari experiences can be by jeep or boat. The Tadoba-Andhari Reserve is open all year round and, with its two lakes and open waterholes, has a growing wildlife population.
Lying seamlessly amongst these landscapes are magical tented camps, tribal huts and colonial lodges, welcoming those who want to experience these unique menageries of 
majestic wildlife. They are run by people who work tirelessly to live in harmony with their surrounding ecosystems with good ecological practice, supporting local communities and cultural traditions. They are passionate about sharing India’s natural beauty and do so with the warmest hospitality.