Aramness Gir, a new style safari lodge, all set to open in October 2021

Situated on the fringe of the Sasan Gir National Park, where the last remaining Asiatic lions in the world coexist with the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe, Aramness Gir, a new style safari lodge, is set to open in October 2021. Located within the 18 sq km area that skirts the National Park, Aramness Gir sits within a rarely undeveloped natural paradise in a protected teak forest. This forest is home to abundant bird and animal species freely roaming between the park and the lodge. Owner Jimmy Patel’s passion for the wilderness, dedication to conservation and love for Gujarat has come together to create an experience entrenched in local culture, designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure providing a wildlife experience that rewrites the script.

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 environment and paying homage to the original use of the land as farmland.

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 the name (Aramness – peaceful village), the understated yet utterly luxurious interiors have been designed to instill deep comfort and tranquility and have been constructed using the many natural materials and craft techniques native to Gujarat and India. “There is a unique relationship between man and wildlife in Gujarat that does not exist anywhere else in India, nor in the rest of the world. At Aramness Gir, we will not only be supporting the Asiatic lions but also delivering an exceptionally crafted, luxury experience,” Jimmy Patel said.