Khem Villas, Ranthambore
India, Rajasthan

This ten-acre property started out as a hunting lodge on wild grassland, and over the years it has been painstakingly developed into a fantastic luxury jungle camp. The grounds are very scenic, with many of the rooms backing onto waterholes. This makes for spectacular wildlife spotting outside your window: look out for jackals, hyenas, jungle cats, crocodiles, desert foxes, and plenty of colourful birds.

Choose from rooms, tents, and cosy luxury cottages; the latter are definitely our favourite option. Each cottage is spacious and private with an open-sky bathroom and veranda. There’s a small pool, a therapeutic Age Veda spa, and a picturesque lake just a short walk from the cottages. Just ten minutes away from the gates, this is one of the closest lodges to Ranthambore National Park.

Although the outdoor bathroom is romantic and star-lit, you might find the odd creepy crawl in the shower. Also, the restaurant serves only vegetarian food, so although it is world class and delicious, you won’t find a hearty steak on the menu. All the same, we’d highly recommend Khem Villas as a delightful choice for couples and young adventurers seeking wildlife experiences in one of Rajasthan’s most striking national parks.