Explore The Wild Wonder Kabini: A Complete Travel Guide For You!

If you love to explore lush green forests, safari rides, and the beauty of flora and fauna, then Kabini is a must-visit destination. Long back, the Kabini forest was the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore. Also known by the name ‘Tiger Land’, Kabini is home to more than 250 species of birds and 40-50 species of mammals.

Listed among one of India’s richest biodiversity locales and tiger territories, Kabini offers an unforgettable experience for its visitors. As a nature lover, the calmness of River Kabini and the beauty of the stunning landscapes will captivate your heart for sure. 

Location

The Kabini forest reserve is located just 200 km from Bangalore and 60 km from Mysore. One of the most popular wildlife destinations in Karnataka, it comprises the southeastern part of Nagarahole National Park.

Lying on the banks of the Kabini river, the reserve spans across an area of more than 55 acres (22 ha) of forestland, steep valleys, and water bodies. The Kabini river originates in Wayanad, a district in Kerala state and it is a confluence of the Panamaram River and the Mananthavady River. 

Climatic conditions

During summer, ie. from March to June, the climate will be warm in the Kabini forests. It will be scorching hot and the temperature will soar to 35 degrees Celsius. The region experiences a very short winter and the temperature will be quite pleasant at 13 degrees Celsius.

From  December to February the temperature touches a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius. During monsoon, Kabini receives somewhere between 1,000 mm to 1,500 mm of rainfall. The rainy season begins in July and continues till September.

Tourists Attractions And Things To Do

Let’s check out the popular activities in Kabini that you just cannot afford to miss out on.

Explore the National Park

Famously known as Nagarhole, Kabini is situated on the edge of the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Spread across a vast area of 644 sq km,  it was conferred with the status of a National Park in 1974. If you are crazy about exploring the beauty of wildlife, then Kabini is a place where you will get to see wild elephants.

The beautiful sight of various species of leopards, deers, black panthers, wild boars Chital, Sambar, Four-horned antelope, Gaur, Wild pig, Asian Elephant, Common Langur, and the Bonnet Macaque makes it worth visiting this place. Apart from that, the National Park also houses a wide variety of birds such as kingfishers, larks, hornbills, trogons, and much more.

Go for Kabini Backwaters Forest Safari

Conducted by the Karnataka Forest Department in Kabini river, Kabini Backwaters Forest Safari is an amazing experience that you would thoroughly enjoy. There are two types of safaris – one on a jeep safari and the other on a boat safari through the Kabini River.

During the 90-minute boat safari, you will come across the wonderful sight of elephants mud bathing on the shores, and various species of beautiful birds such as cormorants, darters, and cranes, along the river banks and also crocodiles and snakes.

Kabini Boat Safari happens twice a day i.e. from 6.30 AM to 9.15 AM and 3.30 PM to 6.15 PM. Please note that the boat safari may be suspended during the summer months as the water level will be too low and also during the rainy season when the river overflows.

Enjoy a thrilling elephant safari

How about riding on the back of an elephant and exploring the beauty of the dense forests? Moreover, experiencing the joy of an elephant ride cannot be described in words. There are expert guides to take you through various regions of the forest where there are more chances of seeing beautiful animals and birds. The elephant safari is open for tourists from 6.30 AM to 3.30 PM.

Visit the beautiful Kabini dam

Located on the top of the Kabini river, Kabini dam has become one of the most preferred picnic spots. The spectacular sights worth mentioning include gallons of water collected in the reservoir, birds flying in and out of the tree canopies, the beauty of animals gazing through the forest, and the mesmerizing sunset in the evening. The dam is open for visitors daily from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM.

Go Trekking

If you are a trekking enthusiast, then don’t miss the trekking spots located at the Tadiandamol, Kumara Parvatha, and Brahmagiri mountains. Surrounded by many beautiful mountain peaks and hillocks, the trekking trails are open from 6.30 AM to 10.00 AM.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Kabini is during the months of October, November, December, January, and February. Since this is the peak season, it may be a little crowded during these months.

How To Reach

If you wish to travel by air, Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore is the nearest airport at a distance of 200 km. Also, there are some domestic flights operating from Mysore airport which is 60 Km away from Kabini forests. If you prefer a train journey, the nearest railhead is Mysuru Junction, just 60 Km away from Kabini with good connectivity to all major cities in Karnataka. There is also good connectivity by road for those who are planning a road trip.

Food and Accommodation

Some famous restaurants in Kabini such as Orange County Resort, the Kabini River Lodge, and the Waterwoods Lodge offer multi-cuisine food. When it comes to accommodation, there is a wide range of staying options that suit everyone’s budget. However, Jungle Lodges and Resorts is best recommended as they also conduct jeep safaris for their visitors.

Conclusion

Hope you are super excited to visit the amazing Kabini and get soaked in the lap of nature. With its lush green forests, amazing flora and fauna, and thrilling jungle safaris, Kabini no doubt tops the bucket list of wildlife enthusiasts all across the country.

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