Rare India has announced the addition of Tipai Wildlife Luxuries to its curated portfolio, further strengthening its footprint in India’s wildlife and experiential hospitality segment.
Founded in 2003, Rare India represents a network of independently owned boutique hotels, heritage properties, wildlife lodges and immersive retreats across India, Nepal and Bhutan. The platform has focused on promoting owner-led hospitality experiences rooted in sustainability, cultural authenticity and regional identity.
Tipai Wildlife Luxuries is located on the edge of Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district and offers a design-led approach to wildlife hospitality. The property aims to move beyond a safari-centric model by creating a broader experience that integrates nature, architecture, food, wellness and community engagement.
Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary spans 148.63 sq km and serves as an important wildlife corridor connecting Kawal Tiger Reserve, Painganga and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The sanctuary is home to Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, blackbucks and a wide range of bird and butterfly species.
The retreat has been developed on restored plantation land and incorporates ecological restoration practices including native afforestation, water conservation systems and habitat regeneration. The property features 11 forest villas and four pool residences designed to offer privacy while maintaining proximity to the natural landscape.
Architecture at the retreat draws from local Vidarbha design principles, using rammed earth and locally sourced materials to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency through passive cooling.
Experiences at the property include guided safaris, birding, nature walks, village interactions, wellness programmes and culinary workshops. The approach is designed to reduce reliance on safari movement and encourage a more immersive engagement with the ecosystem.
Dining is positioned as a key element of the offering, with multiple dining spaces including a specialised dinner concept curated by Chef Amninder Sandhu. The culinary programme focuses on locally sourced ingredients, traditional cooking techniques and a farm-to-fork model.
Sustainability remains central to operations, with over 80% of the workforce drawn from nearby communities. The property also uses solar energy, rainwater harvesting systems and chemical-free pools as part of its environmental practices.
Shobha Rudra, Founder, Rare India, said, “Rare has always focused on bringing together properties that are deeply rooted in their geography and their people. Tipai reflects a very important shift in wildlife hospitality. It moves beyond the safari and builds a larger relationship with the forest through food, architecture, community, and wellness. That is the future of wildlife travel.”
Located within driving distance of Nagpur and Hyderabad, the property also connects with key Central India wildlife destinations such as Pench, Kanha, Satpura and Tadoba, positioning it as part of longer wildlife travel circuits.
The addition of Tipai reflects growing demand for experiential and conservation-led travel in India’s wildlife tourism sector.
