Into the Wild: Check out these jungle camping sites in India

We are all longing for a journey far away from the maddening crowd. Somewhere peaceful and quiet, preferably in the midst of nature. Pitching a tent in the middle of a jungle can be so restful. There is something so fundamentally primal about wanting to go into the jungles and spend time cocooned amongst the trees and living according to the rhythms of nature and the forest. That’s why camping has always been attractive. Nature in its pristine glory, waking up to the sound of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the beautiful open air. It’s perhaps the best way to spend time with your family. Here are a few must-visit jungle camps for your notice.

Camp Potters Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla is the ideal choice if you are travelling on a budget. Besides the fact that Shimla is one of the most sought-after hill stations in the state. In Shimla, Himachal Pradesh’s capital, one can enjoy the cool views as well as the thought that you have still not exceeded your budget. Shimla offers beautiful views of the snowcapped mountains and trees.

Want to camp and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Shimla? There is an opportunity for that too. Camp Potters Hill will be a unique experience. There are many activities available for nature lovers here. You can enjoy camping, tenting, and trekking in the middle of the western Himalayan forests of Himachal Pradesh. There are cottages and tents for camp accommodation. The trekking here is beautiful and full of adventure.

Jungle Livinn, Chail, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a popular destination among tourists, nature lovers and tourists alike for its scenic beauty and breathtaking views. Though there are many busy tourist destinations in Himachal, there are just as many off-beat places. Chail in Himachal Pradesh is one such place. The Jungle Livinn Camp is located on one of the many beautiful hills here. From here, you can spend time enjoying the beautiful views of the majestic hills and valleys. Surrounded by cedar trees, the place is always serene. If you come here in the winter, this place will be a wonderland and camping in a place covered with thick snow will be awesome.

Bundela Safari Lodge, Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The safari lodge is spread over an eight-acre area near the entrance of the Kanha National Park. You can enjoy the lush greenery of the forests and the fluctuating colours of the desert at the same time. Tourists from abroad come here to camp in the Kanha Desert. The camping site offers three choices: villas, luxury rooms and hunting tents. Each unit is designed to give the guest plenty of space and the sensation of being in a forest.

Eco Camp, Nameri National Park, Assam
Eco Camping is located in the middle of the Nameri National Park in Assam. In the middle of a large wildlife sanctuary, there is a lot to see and experience. Apart from accommodation, you can also go rafting on the Jiah Bhoroli River and explore the entire National Park. At night, you can gather around the campfire in front of the camp and light a fire. Located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, Nameri National Park is home to more than 370 species of birds.

Citrus Thekkady Wild Corridor, Thekkady
Thekkady is one of the fascinating destinations in the tourist map of India. Thekkady has some of the most beautiful places that are not frequented by tourists apart from the regular ones. Situated in the middle of the forest, the Wild Corridor is a jungle resort that offers both wildness and adventure. You can watch Thekkady in its full glory from here. The camp is located a few kilometers away from Thekkady. Due to the proximity of the Periyar National Park, there are many other sights to see.

Tribal camp, Pench National Park
The tribal camps at Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh define everything that ‘incredible India’ stands for. From enjoying the stunning sunrises and sunsets to dancing through the deciduous forests, from sitting beside the untamed Pench River to getting to know a tribal family, there is so much you can see and do here! You get to stay in Machaans, pretty mud houses with attached washrooms, in Pench’s tribal camps. The most attractive thing about this camp is the personal touch provided by the owner. The owner of this place is your guide and becomes your adviser from the time you set your foot into this place. This place lets you realise the importance of personal interactions.

Tanhau Homestay, Corbett National Park
It is the first and one of the most celebrated National Parks of India. From spotting animals in their natural environments during jungle camping and wildlife safaris to indulging in adventure sports like river crossing, water rafting and rock climbing the place offers you many things. You can easily locate an innocent magpie perched atop a tree or a graceful khalij pheasant somewhere nearby. Tanhau is a homestay that offers three cottages at the edge of the Corbett forests. Tanhau specialises in walking safaris and camping experiences. Their nature walks, which last from a couple of hours to a full day, are a specialty. The property’s owners have also identified great camping spots, so guests can camp out in the open under a million stars.

Dubare Camp, Karnataka
All you elephant lovers out there, you have the chance to watch an elephant from up close at the Dubare Camp. Located in the Madikeri region in Karnataka, this place is famous as an elephant training camp. Over time the logging operations have stopped, and the elephants have slowly retired, yet you have the opportunity to watch an elephant being scrubbed and bathed! The camps are designed to provide you a comfortable stay with all the facilities. It is surrounded by deciduous forests and is an ideal place to unwind after a hectic work schedule.

The Camp 5 Elements, Deoprayag
This is a campsite which is located on what we can call the Indianised-Beach. Sprawled along 800 acres of land, this camp falls on the way to Deoprayag. It is a famous site among companies that often send their employees here to recharge themselves. Aptly surrounded by forests on three sides, it is magical during the sunrise and sunset — the perfect place to relax or play volleyball along the beach. You can also take a walk around the campsite and de-stress yourself.

Bheemeshwari Jungle Lodge
This is a beautiful place in Karnataka and one of the top getaways from Bangalore. Flowing through the abundant jungle is the river Cauvery on the banks of which is situated this mesmerising campsite. It is very famous for the Mahseer fish, which is a tropical sporting fish. Since this campsite is located right in the middle of the dense jungle, there is ample opportunity to come across leopards, cobra, python, crocodile, and a host of other wild animals. It also houses more than 200 species of birds and is a total delight for wilderness lovers.

Lion Safari Camp
The Lion Safari Camp is a luxury wildlife camp located in the Gir National Park in Gujarat. It is built on a private mango orchard overlooking the nearby Hiran River and is surrounded by a thick green cover. This Eco-friendly camp has 21 luxury tents with air conditioning and attached bathrooms. It is completely furnished with the necessary furniture to make your stay convenient. Being so closely situated to Gir National Park, the best thing you can do here is to take a safari and try to spot the Asiatic Lion. This Park also has the highest population of leopards and other wildlife includes Chital, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Jackal, and Hyenas. This campsite is sure to leave you exhilarated.

Big Red Tent, Kolad
Imagine heading off to camp in a place where there is no electricity and mobile networks. Like the thought of spending time so undisturbed? If yes, then you should definitely spend your next holiday camping at the Big Red Tent. This is a very cozy campsite located not far from Mumbai-Pune and is an utterly intimate experience. It is managed by a couple who gave up their chaos-filled Mumbai life to create something unique in the countryside. The tents have basic comforts like foam mattresses, sleeping bags, and inflatable pillows. You can have a total living-in-the-open-gazing-the-stars experience here. One major attraction is spending your evening around the barbecue!