Aramness Gir National Park

Aramness Gir

"It’s around 3 a.m. and a guttural sound of a big cat can be heard from just beyond the fence. Welcome to Sassan Gir’s newest and arguably best safari lodge, where Asiatic lions and leopards periodically stroll by. The 18-villa property, each with one or two bedrooms and a non-chlorinated pool, lies outside the perimeter of the world’s only Asiatic lion sanctuary. It’s designed—from architecture to hospitality—by Johannesburg-based Fox Browne Creative, which has a proven track record in creating wildlife-centric properties. That expertise is visibly translated into immersive activities, such as guided forest walks and scenic breakfasts. I, for instance, learned how to identify a nilgai from its skull fragments before we stopped for freshly-brewed French press coffee and vegan banana bread.  Aramness also draws from the land around it. The Lippan mud and mirror artwork created by local artisans within each villa is an example, as is the Kathiyawadi food that’s served in an atmospheric outdoor dinner setting. Daily menus (a mix of Indian and international fare) are based entirely off of what’s been harvested—mango, pomegranate, lemon, cabbage, cauliflower, leek, garlic—at the on-site farm. It surrounds the edutainment center for kids where all the fun and games are non-digital. Children will also love the in-room instructive cards by wildlife illustrator Rohan Chakravarty and the checklists of local birds, animals, and trees, which can turn every safari outing into a competitive sport. Beyond all this, Aramness’s sustainability cred is also visible in aspects like the staff at the property, 60 percent of whom are locals, and in the use of glass bottles for everything from water to the in-room amenities and spa products made from herbal ingredients and cold-pressed oils. Ultimately, Aramness works because it’s the whole deal. You get off the grid, spot wild animals, eat well, swim a few laps, spa if you feel like it, and go home ready to take on the grind again." - Prasad Ramamurthy