From Boardrooms to the Wild: How Shriniwas Deshmukh is Redefining Ethical Wildlife Travel

Shriniwas Deshmukh's journey into entrepreneurship did not begin with a clear roadmap. It began in Amravati, a small town in Maharashtra, where responsibilities came early and dreams had to quietly wait their turn. There was no financial cushion, no easy path into business. When he moved to Mumbai, often called the city of dreams, he started from scratch, carrying both ambition and uncertainty. The early years were shaped by survival as much as aspiration, and that phase built a kind of mental toughness he would later recognize in the wild. He had always wanted to create something useful, something that could genuinely improve lives, and that thought stayed with him through every stage of his career.  

For nearly two decades, he worked in the intense world of mergers and acquisitions and capital markets. The work was fast, numbers driven, and deeply analytical. It gave him exposure, discipline, and a sharp understanding of value creation. Still, there was a growing disconnect. The more he understood financial systems, the more he felt pulled toward something more grounded, something closer to nature. That shift was not sudden. It built slowly, through travel, through observation, and finally through a moment in Tadoba, watching the tigress Maya in her natural habitat.  

That moment changed how he saw the wilderness. It was not about spotting animals; it was about understanding a living system. He began to notice how most safari experiences were reduced to a single goal: spotting a tiger. If that did not happen, disappointment followed. The forest became a checklist rather than a story. That gap stayed with him. He saw a chance to change how people experienced the wild, not as spectators but as participants in a larger narrative.  

The idea of Junglore took shape during a quiet night in Kabini with his childhood friend Dr. Vaibhav. Under a sky full of stars, they spoke about how technology could add meaning to travel without taking away its rawness. The thought was simple yet powerful: use data and AI not to replace nature, but to deepen the experience. Shriniwas noted that they wanted people to stop chasing sightings and start understanding the forest, which became the foundation of Junglore.  

What followed was not easy. The early days were filled with logistical challenges, extreme weather, and constant uncertainty. Forest regulations were strict, and rightly so. There were days spent navigating permits in 45 degree heat, and nights filled with worry about finances. Trust was misplaced at times, leading to both emotional and financial setbacks. Those experiences, though difficult, shaped how the business would grow. It forced a deeper respect for both the forest and the people involved in building the company.  

Junglore today operates as a multi layered venture built around ethical wildlife travel. Its expedition arm focuses on safaris that combine human intuition with data backed insights. The goal is not just better sightings, but better understanding. Their journeys now extend beyond India to Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia, attracting travelers who are looking for more than just photographs. Alongside expeditions, the company has expanded into knowledge sharing through Explore Jungles, a space where wildlife content, cultural stories, and ecological insights come together. It connects travelers to the deeper context of the places they visit, linking mythology, history, and local knowledge with real time understanding of ecosystems. House of Junglore, another vertical, offers outdoor gear designed for serious explorers, while also giving tribal artists a global audience for their work. Curated Lodges brings travelers closer to habitats that feel integrated with nature rather than separated from it.  

The first real breakthrough did not come from advertising or big campaigns; it came from trust. Friends and early believers stepped in as the first customers, joining expeditions despite the heat and uncertainty. One such early supporter, Dr. Rohit, helped bring together a small group for an initial trip to Tadoba. That experience became the turning point, proving that people were ready for something different despite having no marketing budget. Alongside this, the support from the very first explorer who traveled with him to Kenya and across Africa played a crucial role. That early belief and willingness to take the journey helped Junglore find its footing in a completely new region, opening doors that would have otherwise taken years to unlock.  

Another defining moment came during an expedition in Africa. A guest, Mr. Anand, expressed satisfaction not because of sightings alone, but because of the depth of the experience. That feedback confirmed that the idea was working, not just as a concept but in real life.  

Family played a central role throughout this journey. His parents, in laws, and even his young son became part of the experience, stepping into forests and sharing the journey firsthand. His wife Neha provided the support that made the transition from corporate life possible. Key members like Ankita Joshi, along with his niece Hridaya and her classmate Ayush, helped strengthen the technical backbone of the company. Their contributions have been meaningful, and over time they have grown into dependable contributors, shaping systems that continue to support the company's growth.  

Leadership within Junglore leans toward trust and openness. Younger team members are given space to take ownership, and ideas are welcomed from all levels. The belief is simple: good people, when trusted, do their best work. Shriniwas believes leadership is about giving people the space to grow.  

For Shriniwas, success is not measured only in numbers. It lies in the shift he sees in travelers. When someone leaves the forest with a deeper respect for nature, that is what matters most. The aim is to turn tourists into conscious observers, people who understand that protecting wildlife is connected to human survival.  

Now, Junglore is set to deepen its work with technology while staying rooted in its original purpose. The focus remains on building richer context around every journey, connecting travelers not just to places, but to stories, communities, and the delicate balance of nature. The path from Amravati to building a global wildlife venture was never simple, but it carries a quiet consistency, a belief that even the smallest beginnings can grow into something far larger than imagined.