Nearly three decades ago, Our family first visited Kabini, the land of the tiger and the elephant, where the river flows through forests alive with wildlife.
Waterwoods was born from that love. We envisioned a haven where people could reconnect with nature, where the rustle of leaves and the lap of the Kabini River became companions, and where conservation and community thrived side by side.
Waterwoods was born from our love for wild spaces. Today, under the care of Arjun & Kitty Kapoor, it remains a boutique retreat that values preservation over expansion, rooted in sustainability and community.
Over the years, we’ve worked to preserve the delicate balance between hospitality and nature. Every path, every room, every detail of Waterwoods is designed to keep the forest close and to celebrate the beauty of living alongside it.
Waterwoods is deeply tied to the Kapoor family, whose passion for entrepreneurship and love for nature come together in the vision behind our retreats.
*Image shot in 1999
Our commitment is to create sustainable employment, contribute to conservation, and support educational initiatives in the communities around us. From clean-up drives to solar projects and school programs, our journey is rooted in responsibility.
We believe that luxury and simplicity can coexist — that true comfort lies in waking up to the sounds of the jungle, in watching the sunset on a river cruise, in the laughter of children feeding koi fish by the waterfall pond. Waterwoods is designed to remind you of what really matters: connection, discovery, and a deep respect for the natural world.
Nature doesn’t need fixing, just fewer fences
Behind Waterwoods are individuals bound by a shared vision: to create a sanctuary that preserves the wilderness while offering guests the chance to experience it in an authentic, intimate way. With backgrounds in conservation, hospitality, and entrepreneurship, the family has worked hand-in-hand with local communities to make Waterwoods what it is today.
Shri Pavan Kapoor, our guiding force, has been an integral part of building businesses and nurturing communities. As the Founding Director of IIGM, which he co-founded in 1979 with his late father R. N. Kapoor and brother Sri Madhu Kapoor, he has spent over four decades shaping the Apparel Manufacturing Capital Technology sector in India and South Asia. A Mechanical Engineering graduate from NIE Mysore and an MBA from IIM Bangalore, Shri Pavan also studied Japanese language and has worked extensively with Japanese companies for the past 47 years. Recognized as a stalwart in his industry, he continues to serve as Group Chairman. Beyond business, his heart lies in wildlife, gardening, golf, and philanthropy. His enduring love for nature has inspired the family’s journey into conservation and hospitality at Waterwoods.
Arjun Kapoor carries forward this legacy with a global perspective and youthful energy. Having completed the International Baccalaureate at United World College, Singapore, and earning his Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Business Finance from Pepperdine University (USA), Arjun leads the Electrical & Infrastructure Division at IIGM. His vision expands into wildlife and adventure sport ecotourism and commercial real estate, creating spaces where people can connect meaningfully with nature. focus on passion for wildlife, eco-tourism, photography, he is equally at home under the ocean as a scuba diver or on open waters while game fishing. Together with his wife, Ms. Kitty Kapoor, a Chartered Accountant and CFO of the family business, he is raising twin daughters, nurturing the next generation with the same values of respect for nature, community, and family.
Ms. Kitty Kapoor is the dynamic Director of Waterwoods Lodge & Resorts Private Limited, where she leverages her strong background as a Chartered Accountant (CA) to oversee and manage the company’s financial health. Her keen eye for detail and strategic financial planning are instrumental to the resort’s success. Outside of her professional commitments, Kitty is the proud mother of twin girls, Meher and Maira. She expertly balances corporate leadership with family life.
