Jungle Camps India Limited has appointed Chinmay Deshpande as the new Lodge Manager for its flagship property, Kanha Jungle Camp in Madhya Pradesh. Known for its deep immersion into the natural world, the camp is a prime wildlife tourism destination, and Deshpande’s arrival is set to further strengthen its standing in India’s eco-tourism landscape.
With more than a decade of extensive field experience and hospitality expertise, Deshpande has worked across some of the most celebrated forest reserves in the country. His professional journey began in 2010 as a naturalist at Jungle Home Resort, located within the Pench Tiger Reserve. From 2010 to 2012, he developed his grounding in guiding and wildlife interpretation before moving to Pugdundee Safaris, where he spent seven years. During his tenure there, he served as head naturalist across seven national parks in India and Nepal, including Chitwan National Park.
Respected for his deep knowledge of natural history, Deshpande is particularly noted for his work in Satpura, where he led walking safaris for five consecutive years. He also managed cycling tours through the Pench–Kanha corridor in collaboration with TOFTigers, an initiative promoting sustainable wildlife tourism. His expertise extends beyond mammals to encompass reptiles and forest ecology, and he has contributed to grassroots-level conservation through village awareness programmes near protected areas.
Adding to his global credentials, Deshpande has completed the iconic “Great Walk” in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, an experience that has broadened his perspective on African and Indian ecosystems. Prior to this new role, he was the Lodge Manager at Bori Safari Lodge, where he successfully integrated operational management with his wildlife expertise, offering guests both comfort and authentic nature experiences.
Chinmay’s strong foundation in natural history and hospitality sets a high benchmark for immersive guest experiences. His leadership will contribute significantly to the evolving identity of Kanha Jungle Camp. – Gajendra Singh Rathore, Managing Director of Jungle Camps India
