01
Safaris & Jungle Drives
As Ratapani Tiger Reserve becomes operational, guests must book directly with the local Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Our homestay does not organise safaris.
Ratapani Range Retreat
Live Inside
the Forest.
A private wilderness retreat in the heart of Madhya Pradesh. Seven rooms beside the forests of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, where nature sets the pace of the day.
Chapter 02 — The Sanctuary
Hidden deep inside untouched nature.
Ratapani Range Retreat is a private wilderness retreat of only seven rooms, set beside the forests of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh. It was created as an extension of our own home.
This is not a hotel with a forest view. It is a family-run retreat inside the landscape itself — rocky hills, teak, water and birdsong — where guests come to disconnect from city life and stay for the quiet.
“Silence is the ultimate luxury.”
The Story
A story that began in 1982.
Herb farm. Goat farm. Wilderness retreat. Four decades of one piece of land, and the same forest watching over all of it.
011982The Herb Farm
Lt. Colonel Lawrence Paul established an herb farm on this land, recognising the region's abundance of medicinal plants and its ideal natural environment.
02The Years AfterThe Goat Farm
The property evolved into a thriving goat farm, where generations of animals flourished amidst the rocky hills and dense forests.
03In TimeA Family Home
Through both lives of the land, the forest stayed at the centre of it — and so did the family who looked after it.
04TodayRatapani Range Retreat
The land's third transformation was created as an extension of our own home — a sanctuary where guests can disconnect from city life and reconnect with nature.
Chapter 03 — The Wild
Where Tigers walk free.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Ratapani Tiger Reserve is its thriving tiger population, making every safari an opportunity for an unforgettable encounter. And the magic doesn’t end there. The possibility of spotting wildlife right from the retreat adds a rare and extraordinary dimension to the experience—a privilege reserved for those who pause, observe, and let nature reveal its wonders.
“Two magnificent tigers are known to be regular visitors around the property.”
Sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
Companions of the Range
Sambar and spotted deer graze at the tree line at dusk. Langurs call out warnings from the canopy. The forest speaks — and if you listen, it tells you everything.
Chapter 04 — The Symphony
A symphony
of peacocks.
Peacocks roam freely across the retreat, filling mornings and evenings with unforgettable sights and sounds. Their calls become the metronome of the day.
Dawn belongs to the peacocks — vivid, unhurried, and woven into the sound of the forest.
Chapter 05 — The Stay
Seven private rooms. Each with its own view into nature.
Every room looks out on the forest, with a private balcony and a comfortable sit-out to relax over a book and tea. Rooms one to five share the same size and layout — each with a fireplace laid with fresh wood, a large bathroom with an open-to-sky shower, and plenty of hot and cold fresh water at strong natural pressure.
Rooms six and seven sit at the base camp, independent of the main homestay — with lovely bathrooms, large verandahs and relaxed seating, ideal for small family gatherings. Book a room, or take the whole retreat.
Explore Your Stay
Room 01
Its own view into the forest
Room 02
Bedroom with sitting corner
Room 03
Lounge and reading light
Room 04
Warmth of a stone hearth
Room 05
A sit-out facing the trees
Around the Homestay
Places to gather, places to pause.
The Machan
A large raised terrace for evening sit-outs, looking out over the forest.
Sunset Point
An evening spot to watch the day end and the forest settle into night.
The Food Court
A large sit-out overlooking the forest. Tables are set up for dinner, a buffet is also served, and it is a natural place to meet. On a clear night the stars are magnificent.
Campfire Zone
Comfortable seating around the fire, with barbecues served when ordered in advance.
Two new Large Rooms, ready.
Two private large rooms are taking shape on the estate — each with its own sit-out, a kitchenette and a private swimming pool, held apart from the main house for complete quiet. They are expected to open in time for Christmas.
- Private sit-outs
- Kitchenette
Experiences
Every day unfolds at nature's pace.
02
Bird Watching
Over 150 resident and migratory species around the retreat and the water nearby.
03
Kayaking & Canoeing
Paddle calm water at first light or at sunset, with forest on every bank at a destination which is 5km from the homestay at Jetty point which is a part of the experience.
04
Fishing
A slow afternoon on quiet water, surrounded by untouched wilderness.
05
Nature Walks
Guided walks through forest trails — native flora, medicinal plants, butterflies and tracks.
06
Bonfire Evenings
As the sun drops behind the Ratapani Range Retreat, the fire is lit and the forest goes quiet.
07
Village Experiences
Walks into the villages nearby. Depending on the occasion, guests may experience local culture and traditions.
08
Sunsets
There is a point on the estate where the whole range turns gold. Everyone finds it eventually.
Dining
Food that feels like home.
Meals are freshly cooked using locally sourced ingredients, seasonal vegetables and traditional recipes that celebrate the culinary heritage of the Raisen area.
Breakfast with birdsong, a leisurely lunch after a jungle walk, dinner beneath a sky with no city glow. Because everything is procured for confirmed bookings, menus are planned with you in advance.
Beyond the Retreat
Ancient history, a drive away.
The homestay is positioned for excursions into some of Madhya Pradesh's most celebrated heritage. Each destination is within comfortable driving distance.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Prehistoric rock shelters whose paintings are among the earliest traces of human life on the subcontinent.
Buddhist heritage
Sanchi Stupa
The great stupas and carved gateways of Sanchi, one of India's most significant Buddhist complexes.
Architectural heritage
Bhojpur Temple
The famously unfinished Bhojeshwar temple, left mid-construction and all the more striking for it.
District landmark
Raisen Fort
A hilltop fort above the town of Raisen, with long views across the surrounding country.
Lakes & backwaters
The Water Landscape
Quiet water near the retreat, where mornings and sunsets are spent boating, kayaking or simply sitting still.
Slow Down
No traffic.
No crowded lobbies.
No rush.
Just
- forest mornings
- long lunches
- bird calls
- sunsets
- campfire conversations
- and time
Why Ratapani
Six reasons to choose our homestay.
01
Only Seven Rooms
Large by design. Friendly breakfast, calm and serene
02
Surrounded by Nature
The retreat sits beside the forests of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, among rocky hills, teak and open sky.
03
Family Hospitality
Built as an extension of our own home, and still run that way — personally, and without a script.
04
Wildlife & Adventure
Bird watching, boating, kayaking, fishing and estate walks. For safaris and jungle drives, guests book directly with the local Forest Department; we do not organise jeep safaris.
05
Local Food
Freshly cooked meals using locally sourced ingredients, seasonal vegetables and traditional recipes.
06
Heritage on Your Doorstep
Bhimbetka, Bhojpur, Sanchi and Raisen Fort are all within comfortable driving distance.
The Place
Where the road runs out.
- Mandwa Rampura
- Sultanpur Cross Roads
- Raisen District
- Madhya Pradesh, India
The homestay sits beside the forests of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, giving guests the wilderness on one side and Madhya Pradesh's great heritage sites on the other.
The Gallery
Frames from the range.
Guest Voices
What our guests remember.
These reviews reflect past guest stays. Today, safaris and jungle drives must be booked directly with the local Madhya Pradesh Forest Department; our homestay does not organise jeep safaris.
An oasis of hospitality amidst the jungle
“We stayed for two peaceful days at the resort, enjoying the beauty of nature, the good food and the company of our host. Our five year old son was thrilled by the experience of driving in an open Jeep and by the sights of an early morning safari. The stay provided the ideal complement to our previous visit to the Bhimbetka caves, resulting in a perfect blend of culture and nature.”
A writer's paradise
“Quaint. Undisturbed. Delightfully set amid rare flora and fauna. A great place to enjoy nature in a meditative sort of silence. Tasty home cooked meals are served with warmth and care, with ingredients freshly procured from the owner's farm. Jungle safari, treks, photography, good food, reading, bonfire, writing or painting — travellers seeking television, DJ or shopping, please avoid.”
What an exciting place
“The magic started at the entrance — a long drive in jeeps brings you to another world, a place apart. The place is so authentic and quiet, the rooms comfortable with open fires, and I especially liked the outdoor showers. In the evening we gathered around a large bonfire, and were entertained by a group of local villagers who came out of the dark and performed amazing dancing that enthralled us.”
Chapter 08 — Before You Reserve
Important to know.
Direct & Advance Bookings Only
Bookings will only be direct and in advance — we take no third-party or same-day reservations. Every stay is curated for your arrival.
Full Payment to Confirm
Reservations are held only once payment has been received in full.
Sourced For Your Stay
As the retreat sits deep within a remote forest, ingredients and supplies are procured specifically for confirmed bookings.
Cancellations — 7 Days Notice
Because ingredients are gathered from nearby gardens and meals are planned around your dates, last-minute cancellations cannot be allowed. Cancellations made more than 7 days before the booked dates will be considered and refunded.
Plan Your Stay
Before you arrive.
Our homestay / village sits within a protected wilderness landscape. Entry into the protected area and all activity are governed by Madhya Pradesh Forest Department regulations — not by the homestay.
Safaris — Book Directly
Guests must book safaris and jungle drives directly with the local Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Safari permits may be required for protected-area entry; the homestay does not organise safaris.
Carry Valid ID
Guests entering the protected area must carry a valid permit along with a government-issued photo ID.
Authorised Guides
Authorised forest guides are required for tourism vehicles entering the protected area.
Respect the Wildlife
Sanctuary rules are always to be followed
Silence & Responsibility
Silence and responsible behaviour must be maintained throughout the drive.
No Littering
Littering is prohibited anywhere within the protected landscape.
Please NoteForest access, safari permits, timings and regulations are subject to the latest instructions of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and may change without notice.
Good to Know
Everything worth knowing before you come.
- Getting Here
- The retreat is before Mandwa Rampura, from Sultanpur Cross Roads in The Raisen district — roughly an hour and a half by road from Bhopal and its airport.
- Arrival & Departure
- Check-in from 2:00 pm, check-out by 12:00 noon, as published on our listings. Tell us your arrival time so someone is waiting for you.
- Bookings
- Bookings will only be direct and in advance. Reservations are confirmed once payment is received in full, because supplies are procured for confirmed stays.
- Cancellations
- Food ingredients are procured from the gardens nearby and menus are pre-planned against confirmed bookings, so last-minute cancellations are not allowed. Cancellations made more than 7 days before the booked dates will be considered and refunded.
- Wildlife
- Sightings are never guaranteed. Every safari and every walk offers a different encounter with the forest — that is the point of it.
- Children & Groups
- Families and groups are welcome, and the whole retreat can be reserved for complete exclusivity. Pets cannot be accommodated.
- What to Pack
- Neutral clothing for the forest, walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars if you have them, and something warm for evenings by the fire.
- A Remote Place
- Earlier visitors have described limited mobile connectivity and the occasional power cut — part of being this deep in the landscape. Ask us about current conditions when you book.
Where Wilderness Welcomes You
Your forest
escape awaits.
Only seven rooms, beside the forests of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve. Reserve a single room or the entire retreat — bookings are direct and in advance only.