Kabini

Kabini is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Karnataka, probably because of its easy accessibility, lush green land scape surrounding a large picturesque lake, and fantastic sightihgs of large herds of elephants.It is 80km away from mysore and 205km from Bangalore, and comprises the south-eastern part of Nagarhole National Park. Situated on the banks of River Kabini, this forest reserve is spread over 55 acres of forestland and water bodies.

At the south-eastern end of Nagarhole, by the backwaters of the Kabini River, 69 km from Mysore.

When to Visit:

Dial in code(s):City code:8228

Getting There

Distance(s):

Route(s) From Bangalore

How to Reach

Car: From Mysore’s Hand Post Circle take the Mananthavady Road till Kabini Circle. The road bifurcates here. Take the left arm to Antarasante; 5 km from here you enter the jungle. A little further down is Kabini River Lodge at Karapur. The resorts are 2 km ahead. Bus: Daily KSRTC service to Kabini from the Central Bus Stand in Bangalore.

Rail Nearest railhead: Mysore Junction Best option TO Mysore Express (dep: Bangalore City 7.05 am; arr: Mysore Junction 10 am). Taxi to Kabini charges Rs 1,200 approx one-way. Contact Skyway (Tel: 0821-426642) or Seagull (Tel: 0821-529732), reliable taxi operators Best option FROM Chennai Express (dep: Mysore Junction 6 pm; arr: Bangalore City 9 pm)

Journey Time

Road: 5hrs

Rail: 3 hrs + 1 3/4 hrs by road

Other Activities

Where to Stay

Hotel List

Sunkadakatte Guest House (Reservations, DCF Hunsur) is one of the best places to stay, for the simple reason that it is right inside the forests, 5 km away from the main road and 15 km from Kabini River Lodge. It has two three-bedded rooms with clean, tiled toilets. Food is served piping hot by the caretaker, who can turn out both veg and non-veg meals. There’s no electricity, and that’s the best part. As night falls and you recline on comfy cane chairs in the wooden-floored, open verandah, you get to truly experience the wilds. Wild boars, habituated to human life, come looking for roots and tubers. The distant trumpeting of an elephant, the spine-chilling roar of a tiger in the immediate vicinity, the dull thudding of gaur hooves, the sudden chattering of grey langurs and the alarm calls of sambhar and chital echo all around.
Ph: 0822-2652041
Tariff: Rs 750

Water Woods, located close to Kabini River Lodge, is a colonial theme resort. Run by R. Ram, formerly with the Oberoi Group, the resort offers the whole Kabini experience on a luxurious note. Price includes stay, all meals and taxes per couple, per night on twin-share. Water Woods has two suites and four standard rooms, and multi-cuisine fare of international class handled by an executive chef, a sous-chef and three other cooks. The herbal massage with scented oils at the in-house spa, run by ayurveda professionals, is very popular with guests.
Ph: 08228-264421-22/ 31
Tariff: Rs 4,500 to 6,500

Krishna Prasad’s Kapila Bungalow is another option right near the entrance gate to Kabini, offering close to five-star comfort. Three large luxurious rooms with all modern amenities can accommodate up to 15 people. The tariff includes all meals, safaris, boat rides, forest entry fees and amateur camera fees. Don’t mistakenly take the Mysore-Murkal-Nagarhole Road when you set out for Kabini from Mysore
Ph: 08228-264444
Tariff: Rs 1,250 to 2,500

Few packages from HolidayMakers,

• The River Holiday
• Kabini River Lodge  

Quick Getaways from Kabini

Nagarhole National Park (1 km)

Once an exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Mysore, Nagarhole National Park was renamed after the late Rajiv Gandhi, but faces the same fate as Delhi’s Connaught Place and Connaught Circle which are still called by their popular old names. So it is with Nagarhole. The park, situated in the Deccan Plateau, forms an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Nagarhole River winds through it and finally meets the Kabini, the largest river draining the forest. A dam built on the Kabini has created a splendid lake to the south of the park, which separates it from Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

To the south-east lies the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary while to the west, coffee plantations separate the park from Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. This entire stretch is one of the finest remaining habitats of the Asian Elephant. Huge herds hang about in Nagarhole, and it’s said that summer is the best time to see them. It is held that Nagarhole is worth visiting in the dry season, when wild animals are spotted in large numbers near the water bodies but don’t bet your money on it. Successive dry spells have shrivelled the water sources so much that the animals feel content lying in the shade, away from view.

Then, as the pre-monsoon showers bring the forest alive with streams, the resident birds start their breeding activities and the air resounds with melodious calls. Sprouting grass in the meadows and view lines attract elephants and gaur in large numbers. As rains intensify, the river resuscitates and the grandeur of Nagarhole slowly begins to unfold.

Tips for you

Tourist office(s):

Karnataka Tourism
No. 49, Khanija Bhavan Race Course Road, Bangalore-560001
Ph: 080-2352525

KSTDC (bookings and info)
Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore
Ph: 080-2275869, 2275883, 2212098 ; Fax: 2352626

Quick Facts 

District: Mysore

Coordinates: 12⁰5'?N 76⁰15'0?E

Language(s) spoken:  Kannada, Hindi & English

Climate/ Weather: Summers 22⁰ - 40⁰C. Winter 10⁰ - 32⁰ C.

Getting There: 

Nearest airport: Bangalore

Nearest train station: Mysore railway junction.

Main Road Highways:NH 212

Best time to visit: October- April.

Tourism Info 

KSTDC, Badami House

Opposite City Corporation, Office NR Square,

Bangalore - 560 002

Ph: +91-80-2275869, 2275883, 2212098