Tipai Nagpur: Where Nature, Organic Culinary Delights, And Mindful Luxury Converge

Tipai Wildlife Luxuries is a hidden gem on the edge of Maharashtra’s Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, where nature and luxury intertwine. Spread across 150 kilometers of stunning landscapes and rich flora and fauna, this eco-resort invites guests to experience the raw beauty of Maharashtra’s wilderness. Founded by Keyur Joshi, co-founder of MakeMyTrip, with two principles at heart, sustainability and localisation, the property was built with natural and climate-responsive materials. Tipai supports local communities and offers a true farm-to-table dining experience. Local communities contribute to its daily running, and organic farming is a norm that the in-house restaurants adopt at this resort. Tipai offers a one-of-a-kind slow-living experience to its guests with delicious farm-to-table meals while cherishing the natural set-up. 

For Keyur Joshi, Tipai Wildlife Luxuries is more than just a resort—it’s a living tribute to the land, the people, and the rhythms of the wild. ”I wanted to create an experience that embodies the joys of the jungle beyond wildlife sightings, that is built to conserve natural resources, and that transforms the local communities who have for generations protected these lands,” he shares.  That vision takes shape beautifully in Tipai—a serene, sustainably built retreat where nature leads and luxury listens.

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Getting There

Located in the pastoralserene parts of the Yavatmal district in Maharashtra, Tipai is a 2.5-hour drive from Nagpur International Airport. With daily direct flights from all the major cities in India, travel via flight is the easiest and most convenient way to reach the resort. Road trip enthusiasts can also reach the property by road in 12 hours from Mumbai or Pune and 8.5 hours from Nashik.

Architecture That Breathes with the Land

With just nineteen villas tucked discreetly into the landscape, Tipai feels more like a private eco-hamlet than a resort. ‘Fifteen Forest Villas’ and four indulgent ‘Pool Villas’ have been crafted using the rammed earth technique, alongside natural materials like stone masonry, bamboo, cane, wood, and terracotta—each structure thoughtfully designed to breathe with the land, not sit atop it. The entire layout honours the contours of the terrain, allowing the architecture to flow with the forest rather than fight it, ensuring every villa and shared space feels like an organic extension of the wild.

At the heart of this mindful design philosophy is Ariane Thakore Ginwala, Tipai’s principal designer, who infused the property with a deep respect for localisation. From the techniques and materials to the artisans who shaped the space, everything was drawn from the land and the communities that have long called it home. “We weren’t building a resort; we were sustaining a community,” Ginwala reflects. And that ethos carries through in every texture and touchpoint—from the earthy furniture to the handwoven furnishings—making Tipai not just a stay, but a beautifully grounded experience.

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The warm and soothing interiors of the bedroom are coupled with natural-looking furniture and furnishings from This And That and lighting from Oorja. (Image Credit: Ishita Sitwala)

Ginwala and the lead landscape designer, Parag Mody, focused on reforestation. Sustainable methods like rainwater harvesting, solar energy power generation, growing organic vegetables, self-cleaning chemical-free bio-pools, and the use of natural materials and coolants for the villas as measures to reduce their carbon footprints at the property.

“The vision was to create a space that cares for the Earth, respects the people who live off the land, cares for the animals, and finds harmony in between all these forces through intelligent designs,” shares Parag.

With this philosophy at its core, the Tipai Forest Villas and Tipai Pool Residences feature climate-responsive design, including conical-shaped roofs and thick walls, intentionally crafted to keep interiors cool and comfortable in the region’s scorching heat. Making a conscious effort towards localisation, The textiles and materials for the furnishings used at the property are also locally sourced and embracecreated using local craftsmanship.

Nature on a Plate: Tipai’s Thoughtfully Sourced Cuisine

At Tipai, dining is an immersive, sensorial journey that deserves its spotlight. With three distinctive in-house restaurants and a thoughtfully curated bar, every meal here tells a story rooted in place, season, and soul.

Begin your evening at ‘Palaash,’ the culinary heart of Tipai, where the flavours of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh are brought to life through the artistry of Chef Amninder Sandhu, rated among India’s top chefs and a standout star on Netflix’s The Final Table. At ‘Palaash,’ local women from nearby villages, under the expert guidance of Chef Amninder, cook with organically grown, fresh produce to craft mouthwatering, authentic meals. Here, guests experience an authentic farm-to-fork journey, with the Chef’s signature gas-free cooking methods and age-old techniques that highlight indigenous ingredients. “At the heart of the three restaurants at Tipai is a deep desire to empower local women, not just through employment, but by helping them see the beauty and power of the everyday cooking they do. I want to change the way they see their craft,” says Sandhu, whose philosophy of culinary empowerment pulses through every plate.

For a more relaxed, all-day affair, ‘Perch’ serves up global comfort with a continental twist, perfect for slow brunches or a midday pause. Then there’s ‘Wadi’—an al-fresco gem nestled in the resort’s lush organic kitchen garden. Overlooking the wild serenity of the property, it offers a curated selection of Mediterranean, Japanese, and Pan Asian cuisine that feels both elevated and deeply grounding.

As the sun sets, head to ‘Mohro,’ the chic bar tucked within Talabwaali restaurant, where signature cocktails by acclaimed mixologist Tim Etherington-Judge are artfully finished with handpicked seasonal fruits and native botanicals. 

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Rejuvenation For The Mind And Body At Aasthe

‘Aasthe,’ the spa at Tipai, is an invitation to slow down. The spa is set in two villas and overlooks the dense forest on one side and the rain-fed watering hole on the other. It is the perfect set-up for soothing the senses. ‘Aasthe’ has collaborated with ‘Tattva,’ a leading chain of spa operators in the country, to provide guests with curated treatments like an intense ‘Akhara Maalish,’ a rejuvenating champi, or a gentle mani-pedi and a therapeutic foot reflexology session. They use Ayurvedic techniques and traditions along with signature Vishram and Vimukti oil blends to rejuvenate the body and the senses alike.

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Apart from the culinary delights, slow living at the luxurious villas, and wellness treatments at Aasthe, the safari in the wilderness is a deeply satisfying experience at Tipai. Morning and afternoon safaris can be arranged from the property for guests in well-equipped vehicles,  accompanied by well-trained professionals imparting their knowledge of the forest and its inhabitants. While the regal Royal Bengal Tiger is the ultimate dream, the fauna of the Wildlife Sanctuary, including the 180 species of birds, sloth bears, nilgai, reptiles, and butterflies, is also an exotic experience and would be the perfect conclusion to the weekend getaway. 

Final Thoughts

Tipai Wildlife Luxuries offers a holistic escape, blending sustainability with luxury. Guests enjoy elegant Pool Residences and Luxury Villas, organic dining, innovative cocktails, rejuvenating spa treatments, and thrilling safaris. The resort’s design, architecture, and organic farming reflect eco-friendly practices and local values. At Tipai, every sense is nurtured, making it the ideal weekend escape.

DP Loves 

#1 Natural textures like stone walls and wooden furniture create a harmonious atmosphere, blending the indoors with the outdoors

#2 The farm-to-fork culinary experience at Chef Amninder Sandhu’s all-women-led Palaash integrates traditional recipes, fresh farm produce and traditional cooking techniques.

#3 A quick dip in the chemical-free bio-pools is a refreshing end to a day of exploring the wilderness.

#4 Embark on a wildlife safari and witness the majesty of regal tigers, deer and birds in their untouched natural habitat.

#5 An al fresco dining experience at Wadi set amidst the kitchen garden growing organic produce is food for the soul.