98 Stripes Jungle Resort
In the heart of Maharashtra’s wildest landscape—where bamboo forests stretch endlessly and the roar of a tiger can echo through the evening silence—stands a boutique luxury retreat that tells a story far bigger than hospitality. 98 Stripes Jungle Resort, located near the famed Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, is not just another wildlife stay. It is the result of a bold life decision, a deep love for the wilderness, and a belief that luxury and sustainability can coexist with nature.
At the center of this story is Mr. Manoj N. Gupta, a man who walked away from decades of corporate life to follow a calling that most people only dream about. For nearly 35 years, Mr. Manoj Gupta lived a life defined by corporate structure, business strategies, and boardroom decisions. Like many professionals who spend decades in high-pressure environments, he had mastered the art of navigating the fast-paced corporate world. But somewhere along the journey in his life, the noise began to feel overwhelming. What he was searching for wasn’t success—it was stillness. That stillness arrived unexpectedly during a visit to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra’s oldest and most celebrated tiger reserve.
Unlike a typical tourist who arrives hoping for a quick glimpse of a tiger, Mr. Gupta found himself fascinated by something deeper: the rhythm of the jungle. The early morning bird calls, the silent movement of animals through the forest, and the delicate balance of an ecosystem that functions without human intervention. The forest didn’t just impress him. It changed him.
Over time, what started as a personal escape slowly evolved into a purpose. Mr. Gupta realized that the wilderness had the power to transform people—but only if they experienced it the right way. That realization became the seed for 98 Stripes. Creating a wildlife resort near one of India’s most sensitive ecosystems comes with a responsibility: the jungle must always come first.
From the beginning, the vision for 98 Stripes was clear. This would not be a large, intrusive hotel that overwhelms the landscape. Instead, it would be a boutique luxury retreat designed to blend with the forest, offering comfort while preserving the natural environment. The result is a property that feels less like a resort and more like a carefully curated wilderness experience. The private villas are spacious yet understated, surrounded by greenery and designed to reflect the calm of the forest. Private lawns and plunge pools provide guests with moments of quiet solitude—something increasingly rare in modern travel
But the luxury here isn’t loud. It’s intentional. Because when the jungle itself is the main attraction, everything else must quietly complement it. Today, travellers around the world are increasingly seeking experiences that combine comfort with responsibility. At 98 Stripes, sustainability isn’t a marketing buzzword—it’s a foundational principle. The resort actively follows environmental and community-focused practices, ensuring tourism benefits the region rather than disrupting it. Many team members and staff at the resort come from nearby villages, providing local employment and empowering communities that live around the forest.
This approach creates something rare in hospitality: a place where tourism directly contributes to conservation and community development. It also helps guests experience Tadoba through the perspective of those who know it best. Because the jungle isn’t just a destination—for many locals, it is home. For visitors, the real magic of staying at 98 Stripes begins before sunrise. The morning safari into Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a ritual in itself—jeeps quietly entering the forest while mist still floats above the ground. Tadoba is one of India’s most thrilling tiger reserves, often referred to as the Land of the Tigers. But the jungle offers far more than just its famous predator. Leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, deer, crocodiles, and over 200 species of birds creating an ecosystem that feels alive at every moment.
And when guests return from the forest, the resort offers something equally valuable: a place to slow down. Evenings often unfold around conversations about wildlife sightings, quiet walks under starfilled skies, or moments of stillness where the sounds of the jungle take over. In many ways, 98 Stripes encourages travellers to rediscover something modern life has quietly taken away: the ability to pause.
For Mr. Manoj Gupta, 98 Stripes is more than a hospitality venture. It is a reflection of a life philosophy shaped by years of corporate experience and a rediscovered love for nature. By stepping away from the corporate world and into the wilderness, he built something far more meaningful than a resort. He built an experience.
Taking his commitment to sustainability even further, Mr. Gupta has also initiated efforts for the welfare of the local Adivasi communities. He founded an NGO named Kamna Luminiscence, aimed at supporting and uplifting tribal communities living around the Tadoba region. One that invites travellers to reconnect with nature while enjoying the comfort of thoughtful luxury. And perhaps most importantly, one that reminds visitors that the wild is not something to conquer—it is something to respect.
In the quiet forests of Tadoba, where a tiger’s striped silhouette may appear and disappear within seconds, 98 Stripes stands as a reminder that the greatest luxury of all is experiencing nature without disturbing it!
https://www.instagram.com/98stripestadoba
About the Author
