Kabini Tiger Reserve

Kabini Tiger Reserve a perfect wilderness, and is amongst the best National Parks in India which is spread in district of Mysore and Coorg of Karnatka. The Kabini National park is ultimately a part of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve nestled on the banks of Kabini River and has a total area of 55 Acres and has two tourism zones where game viewing by tourists is permitted. Tour to Kabini national park can be experienced throughout the year unlike the other tiger reserves in India. On the south-western side of the Park lies the Sunkadakatte Tourism Zone which includes a stretch of the Kabini River. Kabini is a Massive place to sight Tigers, black panthers, birds and a lot more interesting wild animals. Kabini is mostly visited for Black Panther or Melanistic Leopard, a rarely found wild and unique creature. Kabini Tiger Reserve is also the heaven for the endangered Asian elephant and Black panther as well as the home to a vast wildlife population . Many jungle sutras can be explored here in Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary and Dr. Shashank is the one who owes the jungle sutras. Kabini National Park consist of 350 species of birds can be spotted during safari of kabini. A number of herbivores dwell in their natural habitat at Kabini Forest Reserve.

Safari Zones in Kabini:

Dammana Katta Gate in Kabini is located in the distance of 1.5 kms from kabini. Safari in Kabini is via 26 seater Canter. The duration of safari is approx 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs. Veerahosanhalli Gate in Kabini entry gate comes on the side of Hansur which is located on the northern side. Veeranahosahalli gate is less crowded than Nanachi gate. This is because most of the accommodations are situated in the vicinity of Kutta. Nananchi Gate in Kabini is near kutta which is situated on the western side the safari starts from Veerahosanhalli Gate and Nananchi Gate in Kabini. Though the tourists cannot decide on booking the entry zone in Kabini, as this is allotted by forest department.

History of Kabini Tiger Reserve

Earlier, Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary was actually declared as a sanctuary in the year 1955, and it covers the totals area of 258 sq. kms. It was an exclusive hunting ground for the kings of Mysore. Eventually this land was converted into Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary which became the home to black panther, leopard, gaur, antelope, crocodile, tiger, cobra and python. Besides this there are a number of birds residing in the park which is an addition to the beauty of Kabini national park like osprey, brown-headed fishing eagle, racket tailed drongos, golden backed woodpecker, stork and peafowl. Kabini River is one of the major attractions of Kabini which is spread over an area of 55 acres on its banks well known as kabana and kapila and this supports the ecosystem of Kabini forest reserve.

Flora

Flora in Kabini is very distinct which comprises of trees laden with effervescent flowers, flame of the forest, Indian coral tree, Red silk cotton, Indian laburnum and the padri that makes an addition to glamorous shades of colour to the park during the tour of safari to kabini. The park consists of a rich variety of flora in Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary and because of this it’s a varied topography which makes it the desired destination of tourists. Kabini consists of dry-deciduous forests where there is lesser rainfall and moist-deciduous forests and has minimum range of rainfall. Hadlus having shallow clayey valley bottoms in the family of plants which contains swamp savannas as well as short grass clearings or view lines give improvement to the tourists in the safari tour of Kabini.

Funna

Kabini consists of a charming ecosystem which has 108 species of animals. However, this is the reason why it is known to be a supporter of the highest density of herbivorous one can find anywhere within Asia. Plan a safari in Kabini or a boat cruise through the dense forests of Kabini you may get a chance to spot the mammals like black Panther, leopard, gaur, antelope, crocodile, tiger, cobra and python. Muntjak, chitas, sambar, Four-horned antelope, gaur, wild pig, Asian elephant, common langur and the bonnet macaque are some of the large herbivores found in Kabini. Hence, accordingly the kabini national park has a rich and varied fauna in Kabini which forces the tourists to visit this destination at least once in a life span. Some of the Herbivores like the chital, sambar, gaur, wild pig, muntjak and common Langur often become prey to the tiger, leopard and wild dog. During safari to kabini one may see a joyful herd of elephants or a leopard prowling behind the thickly forested terrains of Kabini forests. Hench, this is famous for the huge availability of carnivore population in Kabini.

Kabini reserve is also rich in avifauna and has almost 350 species of Birds in Kabini forest. This attracts the birdwatchers and is said to be ornithologist paradise.

Jungle Safari In Kabini Tiger Reserve

There is no online booking for the Safari at Kabini. One has to go in person if want to book boat safari in kabini or jeep safari in kabini from Dammanakatte Forest Department Office in Antharsanthe situated within the distance of 1 km from the kabini entry gate. tourists have to book with the tourism department lodges which comes with the safari in Kabini known as JLR i.e government accommodation in Kabini. Kabini park is open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., throughout the year.

The park is segregated into two separate safari zones: Zone A is a wooded area and Zone B is close to the Kabini backwaters. The Jungle Lodges & Resorts jeep safaris in Kabini can cover only one of the zones at a time, while the canter safaris can enter both zones unrestricted Bird watchers paradise.

Bird watching in Kabini:

Kabini is home to over 350 species of Birds, that can be seen while on the safari tour to Kabini reserve. This is said to be the ecstasy for Photographers and bird watchers. Grey-headed fish eagles and ospreys, great cormorants nest on the dry stumps of trees, Malabar Lark, Malabar trogon, Indian Pitta and the glorious Malabar pied hornbill are often seen while of the trip to Kabini.

Safari timing in Kabini:

Morning Safari Time in Kabini: 6:30am to 9:30pm

Evening Safari time in Kabini: 4:00pm to 6:45pm

Places to explore in Kabini Tiger Reserve

Boating down in Kabini River is one of the best experiences during the visit to Kabini and one should not miss at all while on the black panther safari tour of kabini as it is a pleasure in itself that is put forth on such a ride. The river Kabini originates in the Wayanad district of Kerala. Flowing of this river separates Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks. Along with the dense forests, various animals can be seen in their natural habitat while boating. The next is Kabini Dam which is located on river kabini and distances 78 kms from kabini national park known to be the major tributary of River Cauvery in Southern India. On the other hand is Rameshwara Temple amongst the best places to visit in Kabini. The temple idolizes Lord Shiva and situated on the banks of the Lakshmana Tirtha River. A huge number of devotees in locality as well as tourist visit here on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. City shopping in kabini will leave you awestruck where you will explore some stalls and shops which are settled across the village where the locals sell handicraft items like wall hangings, coin pouches, wooden cutlery etc. You may take the handicrafts made by tribals to the home after the tour of Kabini.

Types of Jungle Safari in Kabini Tiger Reserve

Jeep Safari in Kabini:

Jeep safaris, booked through hotels and are operated by Jungle Lodges & Resorts in Kabini . The hotel booking will get the safari booking of Kabini. The jeep safaris depart from Kabini in the morning at 6.30 a.m. and in the afternoon at 3.30 p.m. There will usually be four to six people in a jeep.

Canter Safari in Kabini:

Noisy 26-seater minibus (canter) safaris, operated by the Forest Department. These run twice per day, early in the morning from 6.30 a.m to 9 a.m., and again in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Boat safari/ ride in Kabini:

Government-operated boat trips to Kabini river also depart at the same time. The motorboat rides are conducted two times a day in the morning and evening. The boat rides bequeath with a diverse and inimitable perspective of the woodland. Crocodiles can be noticed on the banks.

How to reach Kabini Tiger Reserve

By Road to Kabini: The distance is about 220 kilometers away from Bangalore. Buses are easily available from different points and at regular intervals. Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is about 80 kilometers along the Mysore-Mananthavadi road.

By Air to Kabini: The nearest airport of Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is Bangalore which is a 245 kilometers away from kabini.

By Rail to Kabini: The nearest railway station to Kabini is Mysore. It is 64kms from kabini.

Distance between major cities and Kabini Tiger Reserve

Distance from Mumbai to Kabini wildlife sanctuary – 1065 km
Distance from Ahmedabad to Kabini wildlife sanctuary – 1567 km
Distance from Kochi (Cochin) to Kabini wildlife sanctuary – 301 km
Distance from Bangalore to Kabini wildlife sanctuary – 210 km
Distance from Nagpur to Kabini wildlife sanctuary –1260 km
Distance from Kolkata to Kabini wildlife sanctuary –2039 km
Distance from Delhi to Kabini wildlife sanctuary – 2292 km
Distance from Pune to Kabini wildlife sanctuary – 956 km
Distance from Chennai to Kabini wildlife sanctuary – 493 km

Best Season to Visit Kabini Tiger Reserve

Winters in Kabini: Winters have a maximum temperature around 32°C that can also reach to a range of about 6°C. From November to January, sightseeing at Kabini is simply beautiful as the entire place almost comes to life. This is an ideal time for wildlife safari at Kabini.

Monsoon in Kabini: The area receives heavy to moderate rainfall. Kabini can be visited all year around but there are two main seasons when Kabini looks its best. For nature enthusiast this is a good time to enjoy its natural panorama.

Summers in Kabini: The climate in Kabini Forests is mostly warm and temperate. During the summers, the climate is quite hot and the mercury rises to 35 degrees Celsius. Temperature is around 10°C -37°C with favorable weather conditions it is the best time to enjoy game drive at Kabini.

Visit to Nagarhole :

Kabini is a part of Nagrhole National park, the range of Nagarhole National Park is close to Kabini reserve. Visit to nagarhole national park is recommended to explore the larger part of wildlife of South. Under Nagarhole national park there are few conserved wilderness areas which includes Kabini wildlife sanctuary, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. The Nagarhole River is the lifeline of the expanse and congregates the Kabini River to form a widespread riverine region.

Packages in Kabini

Various companies and wildlife experts offers multiple options of tour packages in Kabini, Book Wild Safari is an online single window platform, which presents the different packages from numerous tour operators, to assist the traveler and eases the process of booking Kabini safari tour package. Hence it is one of the most trusted platform among the wildlife tourism industry.