Suján Jawai Bandh – India
In the Rajasthan wilderness, amongst granite rocks, forests and plains, where leopards roam freely, sits the opulent Suján Jawai tented camp – far from anywhere. This is a chance to experience the remote wilds of India, as close as nature as possible, in understated luxury. It’s also a safari like no other. Nomadic tribesmen guide you across the plains, showing you ancient rituals, ancestral customs and views that haven’t changed for millennia. And back at camp, you’re looked after faultlessly by a truly passionate team.
At A Glance
Glamping
Why We Love It:
For being totally immersed in the local tribal culture and its spectacular location.Style:
Contemporary safari chic.Location:
In the Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan, midway between Jodhpur and Udaipur.Rooms:
Ten luxurious tented suites, with marble baths and expansive verandas with sweeping views.Swimming:
The Royal Panthera and Eden Suites each feature their own infinity pool.Children:
This is one place your children will never forget.Accessibility:
There are no facilities for guests with limited mobility.rooms
There are just ten secluded and lavish tented suites, dotted around the camp, each with a luxurious bathroom and a wide ‘sit-out’ for experiencing the majesty of your surroundings. The canvas tents are evocative of an African safari, whilst the interiors are all contemporary monochrome with splashes of red – mimicking the colour of the turbans of the local tribesmen. They all share the same exceptional wilderness views.
The Rock Suites are perfect for couples, whilst the Felidae Suite is comprised of two tents, sharing a veranda, making it ideal for families. The Royal Penthera Suite takes it up a notch with a heated pool, separate dining tent and large veranda, as does Eden at Jawai, which is a two bedroom suite, also with a dining tent and a heated pool. Both these come with a private butler and jeep for drives.
food
It’s astounding that food this good can be created in a tented camp. With produce grown in their own kitchen garden, and sourced responsibly from local farmers, dining is a delicious mix of authentic Indian and western dishes. There are no set times for eating – everything follows the rhythm of the drives and excursions. Eat in luxurious dining tents, or around the campfire under the stars.
activities
Begin your day before the sun is up, with a dawn drive. A guide will take you through the forests and across the plains, in search of leopards, spotting a variety of wildlife along the way. Later, perhaps take one of the camp’s Marwari or Kathiawari horses and explore the landscape from the comfort of a saddle. There are also many hiking and mountain biking trails around the camp. An experience not to be missed, is a walk with a Rabari tribesman.
Follow them with their herds and track animals on foot, with a visit to a temple or village depending on your route. The granite rocks in Jawai are filled with temples and shrines, where the local community practise ancient rituals, and for whom the leopard is a sacred animal. Excursions to villages give you an extraordinary insight into life and society in this part of India, and is a vital part of Suján’s approach to sustainable tourism. And then, maybe, enjoy a deep massage in your tent, or some meditative yoga.
family
For an exceptional family adventure, a stay here will not be forgotten in a hurry. For younger guests, there’s a Junior Ranger programme that will teach them all about their surroundings, the wildlife, and give them the chance to visit a local village and farm.
sustainability
With no governmental conservation efforts in place, Sujàn is dedicated to preserving the surrounding wilderness, its people and its wildlife. Through their own foundation, they work closely with the local community, providing education programmes, skills development, healthcare and conservation and anti-poaching initiatives, with the majority of the staff at Suján coming from rural communities in Rajasthan. Each guest directly contributes to these essential schemes through a small fee levied on your stay.
Location
Jawai Bandh, India
In the Aravalli Hills, Rajasthan, midway between Jodhpur (2.5 hours drive) and Udaipur (3 hours drive). Arrive by road, or by train from Falna, 30 minutes away.
