About Khem Villas in Khilchipur Village, Sawai Madhopur

Khem Villas is a remarkable and luxurious eco-lodge/jungle camp sitting next to Ranthambhore National Park, a Tiger Preserve in Rajasthan, India.

The Rathore Family, who own and operate the camp are long time conservationists and have restored once rocky, scrub jungle, into a lush, well-watered paradise retreat, from which visitors can take trips into the Park searching for glimpses of leopards, sloth bear, a variety of gazelles and deer and jungle cats, hyenas, wild boar and most of all, the monarch of this land, the Bengal Tiger.

Khem Villas itself is a haven for weary travelers and there is much to enjoy on its property, walks around the small crocodile infested lakes, along the treed paths overlooking the Ranthambhore Escarpment or just sitting to watch the myriad, brilliantly hued birds. Healing massages are offered at the Ayruvedic spa, which also overlooks the hills of Ranthambhore.

At night, under the stars, enjoying a drink around the camp fire or simply sitting on the porch of a tent or cottage, you can often hear the sounds of wild animals nearby, blue bull, jackals, sometimes leopards or the alarm calls of animals who are announcing that a tiger is in the vicinity.

The Rathore Family operates this Camp with great love for the land and the animals that live on it. Goverdhan Rathore, son of the famed tiger man, Fateh Singh Rathore, is a wizard of land restoration, using methods both ancient and new, from the latest solar panels to water harvesting. The excellent food that is served here is also grown here, organically.

If you speak with the Rathores, you’ll quickly learn of their involvement with the villagers who live around the Park as well. It’s occasionally possible to visit the hospital or school or biogas or tree planting projects in which the family is wholeheartedly engaged. You might also meet members of Tiger Watch, an organization also committed to saving the tigers that live in this jungle.

It’s a one of a kind experience staying at Khem-Villas. You may find yourself as many do, returning again and again.