There is always a flutter of excitement at the start of each safari ride, no matter how many you have taken. The rituals of waking up early in the morning, bundling up in down and fleece, Taking a seat in the open jeep, and driving through the park gates prepare your mind for the magic that may be in store.
What kinds of sightings can we expect? Will the ultimate prize be coming face-to-face with a big cat? You may tell yourself not to get your hopes up, to simply enjoy the jungle, but the truth is that meeting charismatic megafauna is what most of us look forward to.
And the only place in the world where you can see one of the most endangered of these magnificent beasts is the Gir National Park.
Asiatic lions, which once roamed from Iran to India and were found as late as the nineteenth century in Haryana and Bihar, now only exist in the forests of southern Saurashtra in Gujarat.
This protected area, which was once the hunting preserve of the Nawab of Junagadh, now houses around 500 lions, the only survivors of an animal whose image can be found in the rock paintings of Bhimbetka, on palace walls in Nineveh, and on Ashoka’s pillar at Sarnath.
Aramness Gir, a new style luxe safari lodge, opened its doors to its first guests this morning on the outskirts of the Sasan Gir National Park, where the world’s last remaining Asiatic lions coexist with the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe.
Aramness Gir is a rare undeveloped natural paradise in a protected teak forest, located within the 18 square kilometre area that skirts the National Park.
This forest is home to a plethora of bird and animal species that freely roam between the park and the lodge. The property is positioned as an offering to the uber-luxurious traveller who seeks the finer details in cuisine, wildlife, and has a passion for the environment and conservation.
Aramness is the culmination of the Owner and Founder, Jimmy Patel’s vision, “Our entire team has a passion for wilderness and each of us are dedicated to conservation. Our love for Gujarat is reflected in the walls of the kothi’s at Aramness Gir, creating a world class experience entrenched in local culture and designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure, providing a wildlife experience that is reflective of world class African safaris right here in India. We are a haven for the luxury traveller, who seek meaning from their adventures.”
Aramness Gir is a collaborative effort between internationally renowned Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects to create a truly unique and immersive experience. The lodge design takes its inspiration from the characteristic local village, Haripur, with its central cobbled streets fringed with courtyard homes (kothis).
Natural forest and meadow gardens have been revived on the property wherever possible and are experienced in and around the kothis and guest areas, merging the natural habitat of the area with the built-up space and paying homage to the original use of the land as farmland.
The interiors of the lodge reflect the lodge’s design expression, which draws on the honesty of materials and culturally relevant design combined with local craftsmanship.
From the pattern on the large sandstone and steel Jali screens (which is a replica of the perforations of a dried leaf of a sal tree) to the striking wall of Kutchi lipan plasterwork with its intricate inlaid mirrors handcrafted by local artisans, all inventory has been sourced or made in Gujarat.
The hand-beaten brass tables and vintage applique scatter cushions add to the detailed layering.
Each of the 18 sensitively appointed private village-style kothis take their cue from the charmingly informal arrangement of the local Gujarati village homes, whose buildings develop spontaneously with time.
True to their name (Aramness – peaceful village), the understated yet utterly luxurious interiors have been designed to instill deep comfort and tranquility and have been constructed using natural materials and craft techniques native to Gujarat and India.
Guests staying at Aramness Gir have several choices for how they want to spend their days: game drives into the park to see the Asiatic lions, jungle walks in the teak forest, visiting a Maldhari family in their home, sampling delicious Gujarati food, relaxing in the spa, or doing as little as possible while soaking in the natural beauty of the park.
Aramness Gir is a new 18-room village-style luxury safari lodge that borders Sasan Gir National Park, home to the world’s last remaining Asiatic lions and the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe.
It is designed with equal parts authenticity and luxury, providing a wildlife experience that rewrites the script.
Jimmy Patel, the owner of the region’s first boutique lodge of its kind, is raising the bar with his Gujarati-inspired, design-led aesthetic, dedication to conservation, and commitment to providing world-class gracious hospitality.