The wildlife hospitality professional brings nearly two decades of experience in safari operations, lodge management and conservation-focused guest experiences.

Jungle Camps India has announced the appointment of Dhanya Venkatesh, who has joined the company and will be based at Tadoba Jungle Camp as Lodge Manager. A naturalist and wildlife hospitality professional, Dhanya brings nearly two decades of experience across India’s forests, having led safaris, managed lodge operations and curated immersive wildlife experiences for guests.

Professional background

Her association with wildlife tourism began on the forest floor, guiding guests through some of India’s diverse landscapes and interpreting the behaviour of its species. Over the years, she moved into leadership roles, managing teams, guest services and day-to-day operations at wildlife lodges while continuing to remain closely connected with conservation and interpretation. A multilingual professional, Dhanya is proficient in English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, with basic knowledge of Spanish.

Experience in wildlife tourism

A trained naturalist and wildlife guide, Dhanya has guided guests across several of India’s important wildlife reserves, interpreting local ecology, animal behaviour and conservation challenges. She was also recognised as the first and only female driver registered by the Forest Department to operate a 4×4 vehicle inside Corbett Tiger Reserve, marking a notable achievement in the field of wildlife tourism.

Dhanya’s experience spans several of India’s prominent wildlife landscapes, including Corbett, Satpura, Pench, Tadoba, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, Gir and Kaziranga. Over the years, she has worked with leading wildlife lodges, taking on roles across lodge operations, naturalist training, guest engagement and safari programmes.

During her time in Corbett, Dhanya became the first and only female driver registered by the Forest Department to operate a 4×4 vehicle inside Corbett Tiger Reserve. The role allowed her to combine her knowledge of the terrain, wildlife and safari operations while leading guests through the reserve.

Sustainability initiatives

Beyond guiding guests through forests, Dhanya has also worked on initiatives that connect hospitality with sustainability. She has managed organic gardening, greenhouse production, orchard management and beekeeping programmes, including honey production for the property’s food and beverage operations. In one of her roles, she established an organic vegetable garden, composting systems and beekeeping initiatives involving neighbouring villages.

Management’s perspective

Commenting on the appointment, Gajendra Singh Rathore, Chairperson & Managing Director, Jungle Camps India, said, “Dhanya’s understanding of wildlife, years of operational experience and ability to connect with guests and teams make her a wonderful addition to Tadoba Jungle Camp. Her career reflects the many facets of wildlife hospitality — from guiding in the forest to managing the people and processes that shape a guest’s stay.”

New role

In her new role, Dhanya will oversee lodge operations, guest services, team coordination and wildlife-related activities at Tadoba Jungle Camp, bringing her field experience and operational knowledge to one of Maharashtra’s important tiger habitats.