Jungle Camps: Relax and Rejuvenate Amidst The Comfort of the Wilderness

Jungle camps offer the perfect escape from your daily routine and allow you to embrace nature’s untamed brilliance. While you stay under the canopies of trees, within the comfort of your tent, you can hear the cheerful chirping of the birds, and smell the exotic fragrance of the wildflowers. It won’t be wrong to say that the jungle camps teach you the lessons of simplicity and let you in on the secrets of the jungle. Every sunrise here is a new chapter and can be a transforming experience for anyone brave enough to set up their canopies in the forests! 

You must have heard about people camping in the mountains and on the seashores. Some would also set up their camps in the sizzling heat of the Indian deserts!

But you will hardly see folks packing their bags to explore the forests. However, stay assured, that this is a very thrilling experience and will teach you a lot of things about embracing the beauty of the wilderness. If you plan properly, you can enjoy a time of solitude and let the sound of the rustling leaves soothe your soul. 

Don’t know where to start? We have you covered!

Here’s a list of places in India where you can set up your jungle camps and have a fun time with loved ones. 

8 Enthralling Places in India To Set Up Jungle Camps

1 – Shimla

Shimla is a famous tourist place and people come here all the time to explore the valleys, snow-capped mountains and dense pine forests. It is very easy to find the right spots for jungle camps in Shimla. People rent tents from the base, set out on hiking trails, and set up their canopies in places where they can see the picturesque views of the rolling valleys. There are several convenient camping spots in Shimla where you can rest and dine amidst the lush greenery of the western Himalayan forests. Not in the mood to fetch your own tent? There are local camping services that offer tourist packages to visitors. You can opt to build your jungle camps in Mashobra, Narkanda, Junga, Kufri, and Shoghi. These are quaint and serene locations that offer breath-taking views and you can also get a taste of the hilly village life. 

However, the camping spots are far away from the heart of the city. On the day you land in Shimla, book your stay at Treebo Hotels in Shimla. Relax for some time, and probably take a nap before hiring a local taxi to reach the camping sites. This will help you regain your energies before embarking on the forest adventures! 

Places to Visit in Shimla: Mall Road, Christ Church, Kali Bari Temple, Jakhu Hill, The Ridge, Viceregal Lodge. 

2 – Chail

Chail is a serene hill station in Himachal Pradesh and is known for its quiet atmosphere and rolling valleys. This is the perfect place to set up jungle camps, bring along a mini stove and make delicious Maggi in the famous pahadi style!  Chail is an off-beat destination and you won’t find as many tourists as you’d see in Shimla. That’s definitely a good thing, especially for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the mountains in peace and silence. 

All you have to do is find an accessible hilltop, set up the tent and enjoy the scenery. The monsoons are not the right time for camping owing to the heavy rainfall that the region encounters. However, the green cover is much brighter during the summers and the valley is covered with snow in winter. Depending on your taste, you can either visit during the hot or cold months.

Places to Visit in Chail: Kali Tibba Temple, Chail Cricket Ground, Mohan Shakti National Heritage Park, Chail Palace. 

3 – Jim Corbett National Park

The Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most sought-after wildlife sanctuaries near Nainital. It is divided into different zones around where visitors can build their jungle camps. You are sure to spot at least one wild animal while you rest under the comfort of your canopies. However, note that you will have to seek permission from the forest authorities to build your tents and you can do so only in certain permitted regions. This is for your own safety and to not disrupt the living conditions of the animals.

There are government-approved safari lodges where you can stay and the jungle safaris are usually included in the package. From rock climbing to nature walks, you can do a lot of interesting things here. The national park is a pollution-free zone so you can see the twinkling stars at night much more clearly. Also, the region has no mobile signals or internet connectivity. You will be living the forest life in the true sense! 

Places to Visit in Nainital: Nainital Lake, Nainital Zoo, Naini Devi Temple, Snow View Point, Aerial Ropeway

4 – Kanha National Park

If you want to camp in the comfort of the forest but also keep the desert close, then choosing Kanha National Park as your jungle camping site will be a good decision. This is the largest national park in the state of Madhya Pradesh and offers the perfect escape into nature. The whole region is divided into two protected regions – Hallon and Banjar. You can camp around these zones but unlike a few places we discussed so far, the authorities will not allow you to camp in the middle of the forest. Camping enthusiasts can only set up their tents during the daytime and wind up when the sun starts to disappear behind the horizon.

Alternatively, you can opt to stay at the state’s Bundela safari lodge which accommodates everyone from solo travellers to camping families. Each unit gives you splendid views of the forest and also keeps you close to the desert lands so that the guests can get the best of both worlds. The forest authorities have reintroduced the barasinghas into this national park. You will be extremely lucky if you can spot this gaur somewhere near the water streams or while gracing on its food. 

People travelling from other states should probably make a pit stop before reaching Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary. You can do so either in Jabalpur or Nagpur. While you are at it, book your stay at Hotels in Nagpur for a short rest and then head toward the national park. 

Places to visit near Kanha National Park – Bamni Dadar, Kanha Museum, Kawardha Palace, and explore shopping options in the local markets.

5 – Nameri National Park

People who want to explore northeast India should definitely embark on a journey to Assam. Here, you will find the Nameri National Park which will serve to be the perfect destination for setting up jungle camps. You have the opportunity to build your adventure home in the middle of the forest, on the foothills of the eastern Himalayas. The Jiah Boroli River flows from within the sanctuary region, so you can also set out to experience adventure activities like rafting. Alternatively, there is an eco-camp that has its tents set up in the middle of the sanctuary and takes bookings to host tourists. They provide you with food, take you on a tour of the national park, conduct bonfire nights with music and dance, and most importantly, they ensure that you have the best jungle camping experience. 

People who do not want to build their own camp can definitely reach out to these local services. Keep your eyes open to spot the Himalayan Black Bear, Bengal Tiger, species of Hornbill, Clouded Leopard, and Marbled Cats in the forest region. These are very frequently spotted by tourists who visit the Nameri National Park. 

Places to visit near Nameri National Park – Miri Village, Bhalukpong, Pignyhog Conservation and Breeding Centre, Golden Mahseer Conservation and Breeding Centre. 

6 – Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect spot for jungle camps in south India. You will find several camping spots around the forest, usually by the river side and near the Mullaperiyar dam. You can also choose to stay in the safari lodges and rooms that the forest department provides to visitors who want to go on a safari ride in the tiger reserve. However, you have to make the bookings in advance on the online website. If you are planning to come to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for camping, we suggest that you do so during January and February, when the temperature is low and the climate is suitable for sightseeing and setting up jungle camps. 

In the permitted regions of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, you can also stroll around the evergreen forests with lush green trees. You will frequently find elephants dwelling within the dense forests but spotting them is a little difficult because of the green cover. However, you can easily see the Niligiri langurs jumping from tree branches. If you can trek or find a ride to the Periyar River, you can also spot bison and deer drinking water from the artificial lake here. 

Places to visit in Thekkady – Elephant Junction, Elephant Camp Thekkady, Mudra Cultural Centre, Parunthumpara Hill Viewpoint, Mullaperiyar Dam, 

7 – Pench National Park

Pench National Park offers way more than normal jungle camps. Here, you can get the experience of staying in tribal camps and interacting with the indigenous tribal people! They are so friendly and accommodating that they will host you in the houses they constructed themselves. These are called Machaans, mini mud houses that have an attached restroom. These tribal camps are authorised and approved by the government of Madhya Pradesh. You can witness marvellous sunrises and sunsets from these huts. 

The owners of the Machaans act as your tourist guides and show you everything around the national park and within it. You get to taste their local cuisine, learn a thing or two about their lifestyle, try to speak their language, and once the sun sets, dance around the burning bonfire with the backdrop of the towering deciduous trees. The Pench River flows within the vicinity of the camping establishment. The rhythmic flow of the freshwater is soothing, especially at night when you are silently gazing at the moonlit night sky. 

Places to visit in Pench – Pench National Park, Mahakaleshwar Mandir, Tathastu Art Centre, Church of Our Lady Of The Mount Mary.

8 – Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park brings you the spectacles of the desert coupled with the beauty of the forests.  Compared to other national parks that we have discussed so far, Ranthambore is more open to tourists setting up jungle camps in the region. You are likely to get permission from the forest authorities more easily than the other spots we have discussed so far. You can bring your tents, cooking utensils, picnic baskets, and stay here for however long you want. 

Please note that you will not be permitted to enter the restricted and reserved zones of the national park. But, you are allowed to set up your tent in the area surrounding the reserve zones. You will also find local jungle camps offering camping tents and safari services. We would suggest that you get your own canopies after getting appropriate permissions and book a safari separately without opting for the jungle lodging services. This way, you can experience the jungle life on your own terms and also enjoy the scenic views of the wildlife dwelling in their habitat. 

Places to visit in Ranthambore – Ranthambore Fort, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum, Ranthambore National Park.

We have listed the best places where you can build your jungle camps and enjoy with friends and family. However, it is very important to familiarise yourself with the local forest laws and seek appropriate permissions before heading toward the adventure. That being said, let us know which of these regions would you choose for your jungle camps in the comments section below!