Aman-i-Khas Day Three Afternoon/Evening – Contributing Writer Jen Bianco

After we returned from Surwal Village, Bijoy took me to another tent so I could photograph it properly. Anyone who is doesn’t think glamping is for them would be impressed by the tented pavilions at Aman-I-Khas. They are huge, luxurious, and incredibly well designed.

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At lunch the General Manager at Aman-I-Khas, Dumi Sakuinje, sat down with us for a bit while we had lunch. He’s originally from Zimbabwe and has worked at several of the camps where I’ve stayed previously. He agreed– the tents at Aman-I-Khas are by far the best canvas around. Dumi asked if we had any luck seeing tigers and we said not yet. He said the best time for tiger spotting when the weather is warmer– April and May, when there is a lot of activity by the watering holes and lakes in Ranthambhore. Dumi has a background as a tracker and has seen tigers recently, but it is indeed more likely when the weather is hotter. There were tiger spotted this morning, near where we had tracked them yesterday afternoon, but we were at Surwal Lake and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss that.

Since the landscaping has matured and the trees on the Aman-I-Khas have grown up and provide a lot of shade, this is the first year the camp is staying open through May. Dumi insisted we were in great hands with Bobby, the safari guide.

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We went out on our second game drive after lunch and saw quite a bit of wildlife, including several kinds of deer, sambars, blue bulls, and birds. Sadly, no tigers. But Bobby, who is a photographer himself, has provided me with a few pictures he’s taken of tiger spottings in Ranthambhore.

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After our game drive, Bijoy brought gin & tonics to our tent and told us we were having dinner someplace “very special.” A picnic had been set out for us near the pool, with the musicians performing just across the water. It was magical, but kind of dark so I don’t have great images of my lamb chops and eggplant parmesan, but it was delicious. I was so exhausted I almost feel asleep by the pool. I returned to the tent, sad to be leaving the next morning.

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