Image by Syed Ahmad, Unsplash
Nagarhole is very famous for its Black Leopard. Crocodile taking sun birth or the elephant mud bath is a common sight in the backwaters of the Kabini River.
Kabini forest reserve is situated in Karnataka. This place is covered with dense forests of teak trees, bamboo groves, and other vegetation types. Beautiful hills and valleys surround this place. It has a tropical climate with high rainfall throughout the year. Kabini is situated 61 km away from Mysuru City and 205 km from Bengaluru. Kabini forest is part of Nagarhole National Park. It comprises the south-eastern part of Nagarhole and lies on the bank of River Kabini. This region has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Kabini is open for tourists throughout the year. In summer, the possibility of spotting animals around Kabini backwater is very high. You can even witness the largest gathering of wild Asiatic Elephants during this time.
During rainy sessions, Kabini will surely mesmerise you with its beauty. Lush green vegetation and capturing wildlife in this vibrant background is an experience you should possess. However, considering rainfalls, December to June is the Best time to Visit Kabini Forest.
Kabini offers you a complete combination of the natural landscape, jungle beauty and wildlife experience. It's pretty rare for one to miss a wildlife sighting during a jungle safari. You can even spot a good number of animals while travelling through the national highway going inside the park.For some people, Kabini is the romantic gateway, and for some people, it's wildlife heaven. But, irrespective of your category Kabini holds full of surprises for you.
Jungle Safari of Kabini
Forest Department and Tourism Department operate separate jungle safaris. Forest Department runs canter safari only. The booking counter is available at the forest entry gate. You can book this canter safari without staying in government lodges and enjoy it as part of your day trip. However, there are no online booking options, and you need to be physically present to book the tickets. The demand is high, and the availability of tickets is limited. Hence, tourists often get disappointed. You can book the ticket one day before for the morning safari, and for the afternoon safari, you can book a ticket in the morning.
The Tourism Department has multiple options for jungle safari. Jeep, Van, Canter, and Boat are the options. Generally, an open jeep safari is available for Tourism Lodge guests only.
There are various options to stay and enjoy this magnificent forest. However, these many options and variables also may confuse travelers. Tourism Department Lodge, Resort operated by private owners but associated with Tourism Department and Resort situated outside the National Park.
Image by Sanjaysunadham, Pixabay
Wildlife of Kabini
The meaning of Nagarhole is " Hole of Snake". This place is famous for its snake population. King Cobra, Rat Snake, and various kraits are commonly found here. The major carnivores animals are Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Dhole etc. Among herbivores, Chital, Sambar, and wild boar are prominent species. Kabini is also famous for its 270 + bird species. Nagarhole is also very famous for its Black Leopard. Crocodile taking sun birth or the elephant mud bath is a common sight in the backwaters of the Kabini River.
How to Reach Kabini
The nearest airports are Mysore (70 km), Coimbatore (190 km) and Bengaluru (270 km). From there you can hire a cab to take bus to reach Kabini. In taxi it will take 5:30 hrs from Bengaluru and 1:30 hrs from Mysore. Mysore is the nearest railway station.
