Sujan Jawai

a unique area where leopards are considered sacred

Set in a rural position just to the south of the main reservoir in the Jawai area of Rajasthan, Sujan Jawai is a gorgeous and very upmarket property.

Perhaps more than any other property in Rajasthan and despite the fact this is a populated rural area, this place really has the feel of a proper safari camp.

The camp is centred on a tented mess, with lounge and dining areas, flanked by the guest rooms. The whole is stylish and intimate, taking its inspiration from the best safari camps of Africa and the local Rajasthani tradition of tented caravans.

The property is a member of the Relais Chateaux portfolio.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Sujan Jawai is in 10 luxurious tented rooms, similar in style to the safari tents of East Africa, pleasantly decked out with military-style campaign furniture, with large four-poster beds and air-conditioning.

All rooms are designed for two adults, but can usually accommodate a third adult or two children.

• Luxury Tent : x8 : 95 sqm (1020 sq ft) : These entry level rooms are large, stylish and spacious.
• Family Tented Suite : x1 : 216 sqm (2325 sq ft) : The Family Tented Suite has two bedrooms, separated by a lounge and private dining area. There is also a private heated swimming pool.
• Royal Tented Suite : x1 : 208 sqm (2244 sq ft) : The Royal Tented Suite is much larger and comes with a lounge, private dining area, swimming pool, a private butler and a private vehicle and dedicated safari guide.

Activities

Sujan Jawai offers a range of guided activities …

• vehicle safari
• walking
• hiking
• mountain-biking
• cultural interaction
• spa treatments
• historic sites

The Rajasthan region is usually explored as a private-guided overland safari, starting and ending in Delhi.

We often start these trips by flying from Delhi to either Udaipur or Jodhpur in the south, which are more rural and relaxed, before weaving a route north by road back to Delhi

In this case, Sujan Jawai usually features in between Udaipur and Jodhpur/Jaipur.

Seasonality

The best time of year to visit the Udaipur area is generally considered to be during Oct-May, although there are considerable seasonal variations within that period …

October is the transition period between the end of the monsoon rains and the start of the cool dry season. During the month daytime temperatures usually rise to around 33C/91F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures remain up around 16C/61F. However the rainfall usually drops away to around 25mm (1”). Sunshine is around 9 hours per day (around 80% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are usually clear.

Nov-Feb is the main cool dry season. During this period the daytime temperatures usually rise to around 25C/77F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures hold up around 7C/45F. There should be virtually no rainfall. Sunshine is around 8 hours per day (around 80% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are usually clear.

Mar-May is the hot season, the often uncomfortable build-up to the main monsoon. During this period the daytime temperatures can climb steeply to around 37C/99F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures are up around an uncomfortable 20C/86F. Rainfall usually remains almost negligible. Sunshine is around 8 hours per day (around 75% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are usually clear.

Jun-Sep is the main monsoon season and is generally considered to be the least favourable time to visit. During this period the daytime temperatures drop off slightly to around 35C/95F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures remain up at a stifling 24C/75F (made all the more uncomfortable by the increased humidities). Rainfall climbs to around 175mm (7”) per month. Sunshine drops to around 5 hours per day (around 40% of daylight hours), meaning that skies can remain overcast.

Getting there

The Jawai area is usually reached by road, connecting into trips as follows …

• Agra : 550 km to the northeast
• Delhi : 600 km to the northeast
• Jaipur : 350 km to the northeast
• Jodhpur : 150 km to the north
• Ranthambore : 360 km to the northeast
• Udaipur : 120 km to the southeast

a genuinely polished but very pricey property