Jungle Retreat Wayanad

We had read so much about Jungle Retreat Wayanad and it didn't disappoint. Gave us an African safari lodge vibes. What makes them special is the location, saw a Tiger, multiple elephant and a Dhole hunt from our room itself. I can't think of another place where we could see all this from the room. In fact we thought sitting in the balcony gave us more chance of wildlife viewing that going for Safari drives. Another huge plus is the incredible staff, as mentioned by other reviewers, they... are just amazing. Add excellent food and activities, you have a completely satisfying stay. It is a bit more expensive than the other resorts in the area, but we are glad we paid the Rs 1K more, the sightings made it worth it and more.

Well if I could give this 10/5 I would as this place is super special. We were only staying 3 nights but extended to 5 nights as it was so relaxing. ALL the staff cannot do enough for you. They are all so friendly and want to help as much as possible . The food is a plenty and all the staff are very knowledgeable about what you hear. They can arrange all activities so nothing to worry about . The property sits close to a water hole which some bungalows overlook or there’s a watchtower to use, and after dark if an animal is spotted they come and knock to see if you want to view it. I know what you’re thinking “it’s dark” but they have a night vision binoculars for you to view. Regular elephant and tigers walk through at night so worth getting up if you can get out of the comfy bed. We did 3 safaris but only saw 1 tiger but lots of other animals to see. Only 1 problem we didn’t realise it was cash only so take plenty with you as you will want to stay longer. But again there are apps for you to do money transfer or they can get you to an ATM close by. Plenty of options. I can’t rate Jungle retreats highly enough. Its a one in a million place and a special find and we’ve travelled ALOT. ENJOY and happy travels

We recently stayed at JRW after a three-month hiatus, and are extremely proud to add that the experience was superb, as always. The consistent excellence of our second home never fails to impress. From the entire staff to the impeccable amenities, food and service remains our go-to choice for a most relaxed stay. Highl recommended!

We had a great time in the resort! The property is built beautifully, the staff is nice and the food was good. If you are looking for a peaceful nature stay in the Wayanad area, look no further! We had booked one night in the jungle cottage, and one night in the deluxe because of the superior view, but already really liked the view of the jungle cottage. You can book a jeep safari via the retreat (INR 3500, 3 hours) or a bus safari via the government website (INR 750, 1.5 hours). These prices are excluding transportation to the park entrance, which can be arranged for you at the retreat. We also really enjoyed the Brahmagiri peak trek, which starts from the nearby Thirunelly Forest Station (mandatory guide, INR 3100 for a group of 1-5 foreigners).

The staff in general were pleasant and friendly. The premises are poorly maintained. Food was very bad and exorbitant. No adequate staff to take care of guests. House keeping is not satisfactory. No adequate parking space. No proper signs. No facility to contact receptionist from rooms.Overall not worth for the money spent.First time in our travel experience the resort is not provided any invoice !!!!

Our second visit in the last 12 months and this feels like our happy place. Pristine views of the forest, waking up to the sound of the birds, going to the balcony where hot coffee would be waiting, drinking coffee watching the deer and the elephant, going for treks with Mano, learning how to read the pugmarks of the female Tigress we saw, silently watching a herd of elephants during our trek, coming back after an exhilarating trek, sumptuous lunch, taking a nap with our windows open listening to the various sounds of the jungle, getting woken up from our afternoon siesta by Hariss to tell us that the other guests spotted a Tiger from their room, running to their balcony where all the other guests had already assembled with their binoculars and cameras, watching the Tiger dragging the kill away, spending the next one hour congratulating each other and talking to the other guests about what we just saw, going for the night drive and seeing a leopard on the tree and a large bull elephant blocking the road, coming back to the room after feeling bloated due the amazing dinner and over eating, and laying on the bed with a smile thinking about the magical day that just happened, only to wake up next day and do this again. Yep, my kinda place! I so wanna go back!

A secluded, rustic retreat which was the best break from our daily hustle and bustle. We booked the jungle cottage for it's view of the meadows, totally worth the price. The morning Trek was fun but the night safari with the one and only Manu helped me break my big cat jinx (we spotted an adolescent cub right outside the resort). The food - 10/10 for local Kerala treats. Each meal had a minimum of 6 dishes, authentically made and with a host of veg and non-veg options. Smiling staff made the stay even more memorable. Make sure you chat with Manu and Ani to get insight into the jungle and it's inhabitants!

As hard core wildlife enthusiasts, we just love this place. One of the last few "truly wild" resorts in the south and a haven for nature enthusiasts. The view from the rooms and the watchtowers is just amazing. If you're willing (& brave) to walk, then you can still feel an authentic on-foot experience on the private trails. Docked one star because of our last experience. Unfortunately the person taking bookings started becoming a bit too money minded and we stopped going. But I guess thats how it usually progresses :-)

We enjoyed a fantastic three days at Jungle Retreat Wayanad, staying in one of the cottages overlooking the watering hole. The hospitality was super friendly, led by Manu, who led us on various exciting trips into the jungle. The knowledge of the wildlife was exceptional, and we encountered various elephants (including the notorious Zero Tail, on foot!) but felt safe and well looked after. The food at the camp was basic but tasty and plentiful. The accommodation is simple and also on the rustic side, but the setting is incredible. with a wonderful terrace where you can hear and see the surrounding wildlife. We also went on a three-hour safari into Nagarhole Tiger Reserve where we saw numerous birds and animals over the course of a few hours including, briefly, a leapard! We then went on a nigh-time driving tour with Manu from the Retreat, and encountered a tiger cub by the side of the road. Overall, it was a wonderful experience in a magical setting, with warm hospitality.