Safari in Kabini 2023

Safari in Kabini, Karnataka: An Adventure of a Lifetime

After a Gap of three to four year not venturing to Forest for Wildlife Photography, Finally decided to go out to Kabini in the month of April 2023 along with my close friend Vishwanath fellow Wildlife photographer and Dr. Shrikanth Hegde and Dr. Parameshwar From Shimoga both by professional Doctors and a very good Wildlife Photographers,

Myself and Vishwanath Left Bangalore by 7-00 am on 2nd April 2023 and both Doctors from Shimoga joined together at HD Kote by 1 pm, we had booked rooms with Sri Naveen of NATWIN and he arranged the stay, safari etc

Kabini, a small town in the Indian state of Karnataka, is known worldwide for its beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife. The Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in India and is home to a vast number of rare and endangered species. One of the best ways to experience the beauty and wonder of this natural wonderland is to take a safari tour.

A safari in Kabini is an adventure of a lifetime. 

The Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of around 55 square miles and is home to a vast range of wildlife species including elephants, tigers, leopards, crocodiles, and over 250 species of birds. Taking a safari gives you the opportunity to experience the beauty of this natural wonderland, seeing wildlife up close, and capturing stunning photographs.

There are two to three types of safaris available in Kabini - jeep safari and boat safari and State Government Forest dept BUS Safari

Jeep Safari: [ only JLR ]

The jeep safari takes you deep into the forest, giving you a chance to see animals such as elephants, deer, wild boar, jackals, and foxes. The jeeps have experienced drivers who know the forest well, and they will take you to the best spots to see the wildlife. The safari lasts for around 2-3 hours and is best done in the early morning or late afternoon.

Boat Safari: [ only JLR ]

The boat safari is a unique experience that takes you through the backwaters of the Kabini River. You get to see a different side of the sanctuary and are likely to spot animals such as crocodiles, otters, and a variety of birds. The boat ride lasts for around an hour and is available in the morning and evening.

Both options offer a unique and exciting adventure for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Regardless of which safari you choose, make sure to bring your camera and binoculars to capture the stunning views and experiences.

When planning a safari in Kabini, make sure to book in advance as the sanctuary is often crowded, especially during the peak season. Additionally, follow all the rules and regulations to ensure the safety of yourself and the wildlife.

In conclusion, a safari in Kabini, Karnataka, is an experience of a lifetime. The beauty of the wildlife sanctuary, its various flora and fauna, and the opportunity to see the animals up close is an unforgettable experience. Whether you choose a jeep safari or a boat safari, you will surely soak in the beauty of the place and have an adventure-filled trip.

March and April seem to be the best months to visit Kabini to spot the big cats

Safari Ticket Bookings- [State govt owned Forest Dept]

U can book your tickets through the forest office near Dammankatte gate near Antarsanthe village or through online web 

https://tickets.nagaraholetigerreserve.com/safariDetails/3/Kakanakote%20(Kabini) 

The forest dept safari timings are 6:00 - 8:30 in the morning and 3:30-6:00 in the evening during the week days. on the weekend there will be two safaris 3 to 4-30 and 4-30 to 6pm costs about 350 per safari- Camera Charges above 200mm lens per trip 1000rs tooo heavy

For the evening safari, you need to buy tickets at 10:00 in the morning and for the morning safari, tickets are issued at 4:00 pm. Seats are limited 40+ as there are now 3-4 mini buses.

Ticket prices are 500 per head if you go through the forest dept buses. The entire ticketing process is a pain.

As it was weekend we started from evening safari on 2nd  April 2023, we had booked both safaris together, first safari started at sharp 3:30 p.m. and came to an end at sharp 6 p.m. 

After few minutes of entry into forest, we had a some sightings of Wildboar, peacocks and State Bird Indian Roller, fag end of first safari of 3 to 430pm  we spotted a tigress taking a dip in the water. All of us couldn't believe our luck for spotting such a magnificent animal  into the tour, it was such a wonderful trip where me and friends enjoyed it thoroughly. We even went for the safari in the morning and it was a great pleasure to spot the tigers on the way

Along with the tigress we also spotted a leopard, hundreds of spotted deer, Indian giant squirrel, sambars, many langurs, 3 peacocks - 2 of them opened their feathers and danced, birds, bison, wild pigs. The road is dusty. We had a nice chance of Mating of Indian Roller- 

Overall a good safari tour.

Thanks to

Sri C. Harshavardhan, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
and  JLR Staff

Sri Indresh, Joint Secy, Forest Dept, MS Building, Bangalore
Sri Siddaraju, RFO, Damanakatte 
Sri Naveen, NATWIN, Mysore

For further details contact

Deputy Conservator of Forests & Director
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Forest Campus,
Old BM Road, Hunsur – 571105.
Ph: 08222-252041
Email – dirnagarahole@aranya.gov.in