There is something so inherently romantic about the idea of a safari.
Perhaps it is the tented accommodations, or the feeling of being in a place where life began, but the experience of viewing wildlife up close invokes a spark that is unlike any other honeymoon experience. And while Africa gets all the praise as the mecca of safari adventures, there are more places around the world that offer exciting opportunities to spy never-seenbefore creatures. Here, we trek across the globe to find the best places to walk on the wild side.
India
Two colorfully painted elephants named Laxmi and Mala will greet you as you check into The Oberoi Vanyavilas, an award-winning luxury tented resort in India’s royal Rajasthan district in the northern part of this fascinating country. Despite the pachyderm welcome, though, the resort’s setting next to the Ranthambore National Park — a former Maharaja hunting ground famous for its diurnal tigers —makes safaris here all about the majestic big cat (with some crocs, deer, hyena, leopards and rare birds along for the ride). Guests typically venture out on two game drives a day: the first at around 5:45 a.m. (after a light snack of biscuits and tea), then another at 2:30 p.m. In between, you’ll enjoy gourmet meals at the flower-filled resort, plus activities like herb garden tours and fantastic cooking classes with the chef and pampering treatments in the three spa tents.
Photo courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
Of course, relaxing by the pool in your freestanding bathtub or on your private patio as peacocks coo nearby is another popular option. Unlike some of the Big Five safari spots around the world, the vibe here is very private—you’ll rarely find several jeeps chasing after the same tiger, for example — and the facilities are more regal than rustic, with an on-site piano bar, nightly fire pits and flat-screen TVs and WiFi in the guest tents. Since the National Park limits the number of jeeps allowed in each day, the resort suggests that guests book their two daily drives in advance. Private couples’ jungles ride are available for an extra fee (room rates start at about $890 a night; oberoihotels.com).
Photo courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
—Veronica Mullen
