Kabini National Park, Karnataka, is one of the most beautiful and prominent national parks in India. Spanning over 400 sq km, Kabini is known for its rich biodiversity, especially the ‘Royal Bengal Tigers.’ However, you will also find many other animals here, like leopards, elephants, and avian species (over 200). Also, you will come across reptiles like mugger crocodiles here too. The dense forests, grasslands, rolling hills, and the Kabini River, separating it from Bandipur National Park, make it a truly great experience for the wildlife enthusiast. With the different wildlife safaris here like Kabini Jungle Safari (jeep) or Kabini boat safari, you get a chance to explore the diverse ecosystem under trained guides.
➔ Location: Karnataka
➔ Timings: 6.00 AM to 9 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM
➔ Distance From Bangalore: 204 km
➔ Wildlife of Kabini: Royal Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Asian Elephants, Indian Bison, Avian species, mugger crocodiles and more.
➔ Best Time to Visit: October-February
Kabini National Park offers several types of safaris, each providing a unique way to experience the region’s wildlife and natural beauty. The most popular safari types are:
➔ Kabini Jeep Safari: The most popular option is Kabini Jeep Safari, providing an intimate experience of spotting the wildlife here. In an open jeep of 4x4, you get a chance to see tigers, bird species, and even elephants.
➔ Canter Safari: This safari is conducted in larger vehicles, typically holding 12 to 20 people, and is a more group-oriented experience compared to the jeep safari. It allows a broader range of visitors to experience the park, providing views of the forest, lakes, and wildlife from a higher vantage point.
➔ Boat Safari: From a completely different perspective, the boat safari explores the tranquil waters of the Kabini River and its backwaters. It's a more relaxed way to observe wildlife, including waterfowl, crocodiles, and the occasional elephant or tiger by the riverbank.
➔ Kabini Backwater Safari: Combining boat rides with the exploration of the surrounding forest backwaters, this safari offers a serene experience of the park's ecosystem. This option is less crowded and ideal for those seeking a peaceful, nature-filled journey.
All safari types are different and except the jeep safari, other safaris are provided by resorts and lodges here. So, make sure to check out the proper packages before you book one.
The Kabini Jeep safari is one of the best and most adventurous ways to explore the rich biodiversity of Kabini National Park. The jeep safari takes place two times—one early morning and one late afternoon, as the wildlife is highly active during this time only. The duration of the safari is approximately 3-4 hours, and this adventure takes place in an open 4x4 jeep with an expert by your side, tracking the animals to show you the best of the wildlife. Kabini jeep safari booking should be done in advance to ensure a smooth exploration of the jungle. Apart from the forest department, many lodges and resorts offer several packages for jeep safaris combined with other activities. The price of a Jeep safari usually ranges between INR 2,500 and INR 2,800.
The jeep safari ensures you get to spot varied wildlife as you navigate the dense forest and the waterholes. The season increases or decreases your chances of spotting the animals, especially when it comes to the big cats. With a jeep safari in Kabini Park, you have the chance to explore the wildlife up close while giving you a great chance for intriguing wildlife photography.
If you want a communal experience in Kabini National Park, trying the new Canter safari here is a great option for all. A canter is a large and open-air vehicle accommodating at least 20 passengers. This makes it a great way to explore the park with a large group, ideal for a big family. The safari timing for a canter is 3-4 hours, but the experience of witnessing the wildlife is not as intimate as with a jeep safari. The opportunity to see tigers, leopards, elephants, and other species of birds is simply excellent. An experienced driver drives the canter, and there is a professional guide too, expertly tracking the animals and taking you a pre-designated route to ensure you spot the best animals. The price for a canter safari starts at INR 850 per person, and it changes depending on whether the resort or lodge offers the services. It is yet affordable and ideal for anyone looking for a comfortable ride across the rugged terrain.
Boat safari in Kabini is one of the best ways to explore the park. It takes the visitors through the beautiful, calming waters of the Kabini River. The unique safari is a much sought-after attraction here as it gives you a closer look at the riverine ecosystem. On a boat safari, you get a chance to witness mugger crocodiles, otters, and a beautiful variety of birds—both migratory and local. It is like a meditation, and in the evening boat safari, you also get a chance to experience a serene and beautiful sunset. The quiet, small boats navigating the small streams of water are conducted by lodges and resorts near the national park. So, the price depends on the lodge or resort you book. Usually, though, the price starts from IN 2,450 per person.
The glorious Kabini Backwater Safari takes you to some of the lesser-known and explored regions of Kabini National Park. With this forest safari in Kabini, you get a chance to experience a peaceful and unique experience. It is a unique safari, combining boat rides with exploitation of the nearby forests. It gives wildlife enthusiasts a chance to witness the diverse ecosystem of the national park from a unique perspective. With the backwater safari, you get to see not just crocodiles lying on the riverbanks but also other animals like herds of elephants crossing the water or birds flying in a flock. The calm, reflective waters of the Kabini River create a serene setting, which is beautiful to experience as it takes away the chaos of the city. The Blackwater safari is perfect for nature photographers.
Kabini Forest, situated in Karnataka, is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site spanning across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The forest’s history merges with the rich biodiversity and its royal past here. In the 19th century, it was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Mysore, who predominantly hunted tigers, deer, and other wildlife here. However, in the 1970s, due to India’s conservation movement along with implementing the Wildlife Protection Act, the forest was declared as a sanctuary. Subsequently, it became part of Nagarhole National Park, a critical piece of land, part of ‘Project Tiger.’ With the Kabini forest safari, you can explore the diverse ecosystem, including the grasslands, Kabini River, and lush forests. Kabini National Park is currently known for tigers, Asiatic elephants, avian species, and leopards, and even a sighting of a rare black panther has been reported.
The best time to visit Kabini National Park depends on what experience you are looking for. The park operates throughout the year; however, different seasons are ideal for different experiences.
➔ Winters: The colder and dry months between October and March are ideal for wildlife safaris. The months are known for their cooler weather, ideal for outdoor activities, including the Kabini jungle safari or more. Also, this time is perfect for wildlife sightings, as it is frequent due to animals heading to the waterholes.
➔ Monsoon: The rainy season from June to September is known for its lush greenery, and it is so beautiful, especially for birdwatchers. However, you need to be cautious as the monsoon season can disrupt safaris due to heavy rainfall. The trails and roads are inaccessible, and even spotting the wildlife is rare.
➔ Summers: The months from March to September are also ideal for visiting Kabini National Park, as it increases the chances of spotting the wildlife, as all animals, whether tigers, leopards, or birds, increase as they congregate near the waterholes to quench their thirst.
Kabini National Park's location is ideal, making it accessible from many cities of India, situated in the southern part of India—Karnataka. Here is how to reach here:
By Air
➔ The nearest airport is Mysore Airport, 30 km from Kabini National Park, while Bangalore International Airport is 210 km away, ideal for international tourists. Reach any of the airports and take a private taxi or rent a car to reach Kabini National Park, Karnataka.
By Rail
➔ Mysore railway station is closest to Kabini with great connectivity with many states. Also, you can take a train to Bangalore railway station and continue your journey towards Kabini via road. The ride to Kabini is scenic and will keep you engaged throughout.
By Road
➔ From Mysore, the road distance to Kabini is 50 km, which you can cover using a private cab, bus, or taxi. The distance of 50 km is covered in approximately 1.5 hours. Also, you can drive or book a cab from Bangalore as well.
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Kabini National Park is a haven for us nature and wildlife lovers. With the Kabini safari package, you can go on a jeep or boat safari along the Kabini River. We spotted a few animals here, like elephants, crocodiles, and many bird species, and were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the tiger too. It is a wildlife sanctuary, which you should definitely visit.
Like most people, we went to Kabini to spot tigers. Unfortunately, even though we went on the safari twice, we didn't spot any tigers. However, we still loved our time here as we saw many other wildlife, like elephants, bison, mugger crocodiles, and the stealthy big cat, the leopard. Will make a trip here again to spot tigers soon.
As a bird lover, I was super happy to go to Kabini. With our Kabini jungle safari booking, we went deeper into the jungles to the spot where birds are seen in high numbers. We spotted kingfishers, waterfowl, and eagles. Also, on our boat safari, we saw otters, a beautiful, peaceful experience with the chirpings of the birds keeping you company.
Kabini National Park safari packages are a bit expensive, but if you can find good prices, check a few operators. BanBanjara helped us find a cheaper package without compromising the quality of our experience. The safaris were memorable, and the guides were super knowledgeable, giving us information about all the birds.
I will recommend everyone to visit Kabini at least once. The nature and luxury here are unmatched. You can book a riverside resort or just a jungle safari as per convenience, but the memories you will make here will stay with you forever.
We visited the Kabini National Park in October; the weather conditions there were perfect. Our guide was quite good, taking us through the many routes where we spotted many deer and bird species. But we could not see any tigers or leopards.
If you are in Karnataka, heading for a safari in Kabini is a must. It is a great place to not just watch the diverse wildlife but also to enjoy some peace and calm. I went with my kids, and they loved the boat safari.
We booked the safari in Kabini in May; though it increased our chances of spotting tigers, we saw 2 tigers. But May is quite hot and humid in Karnataka, so if you are okay with this, go ahead. Otherwise, plan the safari for October-March.
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Bandipur and Kabini, two of the best national parks in Karnataka, are known for housing the big cats, especially the Royal Bengal Tigers. The wildlife roaming in their natural habitat freely makes the park quite appealing to nature and wildlife lovers. A trip to either of the places will leave you with beautiful memories. The gorgeous river Kabini separates the two national parks. Which is better—Bandipur or Kabini? Here is the answer:
To settle the question of whether Kabini is better than Bandipur, the answer is that both have something different to offer to the tourists. It is up to you to decide which one you prefer the most. Just remember, the sighting of leopards and tigers is possible in both parks.
Kabini National Park is open throughout the year; the best month depends on the reason for your visit. The months between October and February are considered the best, as it is the dry season, so the pleasant weather makes it perfect for enjoying the Kabini jungle safari and exploring the wildlife here. The summer months from March to May are also good, as they increase your chances of spotting the ‘Royal Bengal Tiger’ as all animals congregate around the waterholes for a drink. The downside is hot and humid weather, which makes safaris a bit uncomfortable.
2-3 days are enough to explore Kabini National Park. This gives you ample time to go for all safaris twice or more to increase your chances of spotting tigers and other wildlife here. You can stay in one of the nearby lodges and enjoy the beauty of Kabini and all the wildlife it has to offer.
Kabini in Karnataka is one of the most prominent national parks in India. Its natural beauty, wildlife, and adventure activities appeal to all nature and wildlife lovers. The Kabini Jungle safari via jeep or boat is one of the most attractive features about the park amongst people. The diverse wildlife here also appeals to people as they not only spot tigers but also elephants, black panthers, leopards, common langurs, wild boars, and more. It is also home to many bird species like larks, trogons, kingfishers, and hornbills. Kabini is also home to a stunning cascading waterfall, a serene retreat for all nature lovers.
Yes, Kabini National Park, Karnataka, is known to be home to a rare black panther by the name of ‘Saya.’ What is more astonishing than the black panther is the fact that his partner is a golden leopard named ‘Cleopatra.’ The famous couple of Cleopatra and Saya is something every wildlife lover comes to see here.
Yes, there are approximately 90 tigers in Kabini National Park. It is one of the best national parks in Karnataka to observe these majestic predators. Other than spotting the Royal Bengal Tigers, you can also spot leopards (100 in number) and one rare black panther.
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