ARAMNESS

Aramness stands on the fringe of Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat — the last place on earth where the Asiatic lion still roams wild. Set within protected teak forest, the lodge is surrounded by natural habitat, meadow gardens and an edible garden that supplies its kitchens, so the wilderness begins the moment you step outside your door.

The name itself explains the idea. Aram means rest and peace; ness is the local Maldhari word for a village settlement. Together they describe exactly what the lodge sets out to be: a peaceful village immersed in the wilderness, built in the language of rural Gujarat rather than imported resort architecture.

Trend Holidays works with Aramness for travellers who want a genuine wildlife journey rather than a conventional hotel stay — small game-drive groups, naturalist-led interpretation, Gujarati food and craft, and long unhurried afternoons between drives.

At Aramness Gir, we are rescripting the way in which guests interact with the wildlife.

Our founder Jimmy Patel is a passionate conservationist and wildlife photographer who is using his love of the natural world to set the tone for a more holistic and respectful approach to wildlife engagement.

A game drive with an Aramness naturalist means insightful and interpretive knowledge, nature-led sightings, a genuine love for the wild and respect for its inhabitants. We have created a wildlife programme that celebrates all the diverse aspects of the park, from the Asiatic Lion and leopard to the paradise flycatcher, as well as the extraordinary landscape.

Aramness Gir has a prime position at the edge of the National Park inside the teak forest, providing our guests with unparalleled access to visit its wildlife on twice-daily game drives in the morning and afternoon.

Head out after sunrise with a picnic breakfast and return to the lodge for lunch, or head out after breakfast with a snack and return for our sumptuous high tea at the pool.

During your visit at Aramness Gir, you can engage in a variety of exciting Sasan Gir activities, such as guided jungle safaris, bird watching tours and exploring the rich biodiversity of the Gir Forest National Park.

We have limited our numbers on game drives to 4 adults and 1 child, to offer a more intimate experience. For us, stopping to admire the Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher is as rewarding as a lion sighting.

The Maldhari are pastoral communities who have lived within and around the Gir forest for generations, grazing their herds in the same landscape the lions hunt. Their settlements — the nesses that give Aramness its name — are among the few places in the world where people and big cats share a home this closely.

Guests can visit Maldhari families, see how their settlements work, and understand a way of living built on coexistence, restraint and deep local knowledge. Cultural immersion of this kind sits alongside the wildlife as an essential part of the Gir experience, and supports community livelihoods directly.