The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC), Bandhavgarh and Ranthambore National Park

he hospitality venture — known for its luxury nomadic camps — is India’s latest safari experience. Launched in December 2023, Sawai Shivir Ranthambore, offers a luxury camping experience in the Ranthambore forest. At the break of dawn, guests are greeted by the song of birds, and the jeep safari that follows takes you on the National park’s rugged terrain. Guided by seasoned naturalists, a typical safari experience’s popular sightings include royal Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, the Indian gazelle and spotted deer, among others. “Guests also have the opportunity to go for river safaris on the Chambal river and spot gharials and crocodiles,” says Rajnish Rai, chief operating officer and foundermember of

Ultra Resorts and Hotels.

At Bandhavgarh, the camping site is situated at Tala village, opposite the Khitauli core zone. “There is only a 12 feet road that separates the property from the forest area,” says Rajnish, explaining how their Kenyaninspired canvas tents are placed on a 4.5 feet stilt to ensure a great view, and also enable wildlife movement between the core jungle zones. The tents, he adds, are put up during the season time and packed away by June. Here too, private and shared vehicle safaris take guests on a threehour ride into the wild. “Bookings are done on the Government website, and a Government guide accompanies our naturalist Yeshwant Shekhawat on the trail,” says Rajnish. Other offerings include a birding trail to spot the over 150 bird species in the region, Nature walks, cycling trails, and sundowners with bird watching. “We also have a tented spa with two treatment rooms,” he adds.

In recent times, Indian tourists have experienced a remarkable shift in their travel preferences, increasingly gravitating towards immersive wildlife encounters, he explains. “Our foray into wildlife experiences at Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh, after our flagship properties in Chamba Camp in Thiksey and Ladakh’s Nubra Valley, Kohima Camp during the Hornbill festival encapsulates this trend,” he concludes.

Season:

October to June Price: Ranthambore: Luxury tent at ₹80,000 + tax, Presidential tent at ₹1,00,000 + tax,

Bandhavgarh:

Executive tent at ₹35,000 + tax, luxury tent at ₹45,000 + tax