Jungle Belles offers women-only trips to wildlife sanctuaries, blending adventure with conservation awareness in a unique way.
Mumbai: Hemangi Vartak fell in love with the jungle during a trip to Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary in 2010. She was amazed by the beauty of nature. It was a big change from her city life. She recalls seeing deer and sloth bears, which felt magical. Even though she didn’t see a tiger on that first trip, she later experienced the thrill of spotting one. The excitement of the jungle captivated her.
After returning home, Hemangi shared her photos and stories. Her friends were curious and wanted to know more. This sparked her idea to take women on jungle trips. She noticed that many urban women spent their free time in malls instead of exploring nature. So, she thought, why not introduce them to the wild?
In 2019, she launched Jungle Belles with her friend Aarti Karve. Their goal was to create women-only trips to wildlife areas. They wanted to make these experiences affordable and accessible. Their first trip was to see flamingoes, and they charged just enough to cover costs. They aimed to keep it budget-friendly while ensuring a great experience.
To make each trip special, they partnered with good hotels near national parks. They even checked the places beforehand to ensure everything was as promised. Safety was a priority, so they set up protocols for the women during the trips. They wanted everyone to feel comfortable and secure.
Marketing was key to their growth. In 2021, they organized four trips. By 2023, that number jumped to 60 trips with 100 women. This year, they aim for 100 trips and 500 women. They also host events to raise awareness about wildlife and conservation.
Hemangi invested her own money to get started. Now, she’s focused on growing Jungle Belles. They’re boosting their social media presence and reaching out to companies for partnerships. They want to keep expanding without needing outside funding for now.
Over the past five years, they’ve taken over 200 women into the jungle and raised awareness among thousands. Their mission is to help women connect with nature and educate their families about conservation. They believe that one day, urban life and nature can coexist peacefully. Until then, the jungle will keep calling. Will you answer?