One of the core experiences at our resort in Kabini is the safari. Whether by boat or by land, the multitude of wildlife in Nagarhole is what makes it one of the most special places in Karnataka. Nagarhole was a core Project Tiger reserve having gotten its recognition in the early 20th century. Our resort at Kabini is within close proximity to the Nagarhole National Park. And being a resort on the backwaters of Kabini means that we also have a lot of wildlife right at our doorstep! Red Earth Kabini is fortunate to be located on a peninsula of the Kabini, giving us unhindered access to the backwaters during summers and a host of aquatic and bird life even when the water levels rapidly rise.
This post will cover what exactly you can expect to see on a safari in Kabini and some information to help you make bookings as well.
What You Can Expect To See:
The forests of Kabini and Nagarhole collectively provide a safe haven for over 300 species of birds, 50-60 species of small and large mammals, 74 species of reptiles, and innumerable insects and critters within.
By the backwaters, you may see a herd of gentle giants drinking their fill of freshwater. These elephants will make Kabini backwaters their home for a while having arrived from the surrounding forests of Bandipur and Nagarhole. The elephants share the backwaters with Smooth Coated Otters, crocodiles, and a variety of birds. Ospreys will divebomb from their perch and return with a fresh fish for lunch.
As you drive along on the hardy jeep trail on your Nagarhole safari, get a feel for the silence of the forest at first. The only thing that might pierce through the air is the call of a Crested Serpent Eagle or the alarm of a Chital deer running away from a predator.
It goes without saying that the flagship species of Nagarhole is the tiger. 127 of these royal big cats roam the landscape. Tigers roughly require around 60 sq km of land for their own territorial purposes, therefore the count is spread out. They relish the cool waters of the artificial tanks during summers and stick to their haunts during the colder days. But tigers aren’t the only big cat around. You may just find a leopard lazing in one of the many large trees, sunning itself. Numbering nearly 100-200, leopards are the forest’s most elusive big cat, more so than the tiger itself.
Booking a safari at Nagarhole:
When it comes to safaris at Nagarhole, you have a few choices. The jeep safari closest to Red Earth starts from Damanakatte, where the booking office is located. Guests also have the option of booking tickets online on the Nagarhole Reserve web portal here: http://www.nagaraholetigerreserve.com/
You have the choice of two vehicles for your Nagarhole safari, the jeep canter, and a minibus. The former is more convenient for wildlife photographers with wider windows and easier support for cameras. Safaris for both happen from 6:15 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:15 PM to 6:15 PM respectively. You can also book tickets at the booking counter but do be advised that capacity is limited and booking in advance with our resort in Kabini is advised.
Being located near the Kabini backwater gives you the opportunity to experience a river safari coupled with the jeep safari on land. The river safari has similar timings to that of the jeep safari and is an excellent way to see how a river ecosystem works. Bookings for the river safari can also be done at the office or online.
First-hand experience:
A guest and their family recount their recent safari experience at our resort in Kabini:
“One misty morning, the three of us coupled with the in-house naturalist at Red Earth Kabini set off to enjoy a safari in the minibus. We all got on board the buses at the Damanakatte booking office and soon set off on the jungle trail, off the main road. Our excitement already knew no bounds when we started noticing an abundance of birdlife everywhere, and the sun was just starting to rise. The warm yellow glow soon engulfed Kabini completely, giving us a vista that photos cannot do justice to. While tigers were certainly on our wish list, we were content just to be listening and seeing what a forest feels like. We got to witness large herds of Spotted Deer throughout the entire safari, at peace with the jungle. And a herd of gaur graced us with their presence, one nonchalantly grazing just 10m from us. A male tusker in musth was also ambling along our path and we were extremely fortunate to see a Brown Fish Owl peering at us from inside the tree canopy.”
