Origin:
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary in the south of India was established in 1955 and became a National Park in 1988. The name Kabini is derived from the famous Kabini River that flows from Pakramthalam Hills in Wayanad District of Kerala via the Nagarhole National Park. Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as the ‘Land of Leopards’ because of the highest density of cat population within the reserve.
About the Place:
Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is currently part of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve with an area of 643.39 Sq Kms. Back in the days, the area used to be the hunting grounds for the Royal Maharaja Families, and currently is home to many endangered species including the famous ‘Black Panther’ which is none other than a melanistic leopard. Kabini has the highest density of leopards in the nation, thus got the tag of ‘Land of Leopards’. According to my experience, Kabini should have been retagged ‘Land of Cats’ as it has equal or more number of tigers across the reserve, making the place one of the best habitats to sight big cats through out the season. It is the only Tiger Reserve across India which only Tiger Reserve across India which remains open 12 months a year for game drives within the forest, compared to all others which remains closed during monsoons. The whole forest is divided into 2 zones: Zone-A & Zone-B, Zone-A records the highest sighting of cat movements including the Black Panther (Melanistic Leopard) where as Zone-B is adjoining the Kabini Dam Backwaters, home for some breath-taking landscapes. Some of the rare bird sighting and the famous tusker from India, Mr. Kabini or Bhogeshwar can be sighted within Zone-B.
Activities:
Wildlife Safaris: The park conducts 2 different kind of safaris, one through the Karnataka Forest Dept via Canters and another through the Jungle Lodges & Resorts via Jeeps & Small Vans. Jungle Lodges & Resorts also arrange Boat Safaris along the Kabini Backwaters home for cute Oaters, fresh water Crocodiles, some amazing species of birds, elephants and breath-taking views of landscape. The safaris are conducted twice a day, morning 06:00 – 09:00 Hrs and evening 15:30 – 18:30 Hrs. To avail the Forest Department safari, one needs to stand in the queue to buy the tickets at 10:00 Hrs for the same day evening game drive and one needs to stand in the queue to buy tickets at 16:00 Hrs for the next day morning game drives. When it comes to Jungle Lodges & resorts, one either needs to have a reservation for stay with Jungle Lodges & Resorts or needs to have reservations with nearing Resorts like Kaav, The Serai, Water Woods, Evolve Back & The Bison.
Coracle Rides / Boat Rides: Get in touch with your respective resorts, most of them are tied up with the local Coracle Boatmen’s who can take you for a spin. The high-end resorts does have their own motor boats to take you for a package ride.
Bicycle Ride / Local Tribal Village Visit: One can quickly paddle down to the nearby tribal village to get some traditional and cultural experiences. One can even experience their local spices from the adjoining farms.
Nature Walk: Reach out to your respective resort’s activity desk for an early morning nature walk on the banks of the river, this can be done only in winter or before the rains. Post rain the water level rises and is not safe at all for the activity. On this Nature Walk, one can sight some amazing bird species, family of cute oaters, fresh water crocodiles, if lucky you can even sight big cats on foot or elephants.
Different Moods across Seasons:
The best time to visit Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is between October to March when the sightings are at it’s peak. If you love Monsoon and want to enjoy the lush green belt of the nature, don’t miss between July – September. I can guarantee you, she will glow like a bride soothing your eyes…!
My Experience past 12 Years:
Well, it’s been a while that I have been visiting Kabini and can claim to be my 2nd home. As based out of Bangalore, I had seen many transformations over the past many years but when I look back to my experiences with Kabini, I see not many changes. Probably took the right decision in claiming Kabini my 2nd Home.
I have travelled the length and breadth of India visiting most of the Wildlife Sanctuaries, Kabini still remains my all-time favourite. One of the reasons could be, it never disappoints. I had experienced the jungle across all seasons and have frozen in time. Known for its highest density of cats across the nation, it is unique to see most of the tiger families sharing same territories & water holes without any conflicts. Generally, cats are territorial animals and don’t entertain outsiders into their territory. Because of the high density, most of the times the big cats (both Tigers & Leopards) venture out of the reserve targeting the local cattle & dogs as easy prey. One such moment I have experienced, when I was on foot walking on the road capturing birds early in the morning, I got a shock of my life sighting one of the boldest leopards from the reserve looking at me head-on, sight tightly locked on me from one of the tree’s outside the National Park. If you are a cat lover, Kabini will never disappoint you by any form. This forest has a magical landscape and gives you most of the amazing habitat frames of the Leopards on the Trees or Tigers on the grassland.
Kabini is blessed with one of its kind of Leopard ‘The Bagheera’, a Black Panther (Melanistic Leopard) which is the rarest of all. We have only one of them in the entire park. I had waited for more than a decade to get my first sighting of him. I kept wondering when my photographer friends used to talk about their magical experiences encountering him till I had my share of the occasion.
How to Reach:
Flight: Kabini is about 80 Kms away from the closest airport that is Mysore. Next main destination is Bangalore, approx. 230 Kms away. One can either connect via flight till Bangalore / Mysore and take a road trip.
Train: The closest railway station is Mysore, approx. 80Kms from Kabini.
Road: Being located centrally, Kabini is well connected across most of the nearby cities with good roads. Mysore, Calicut, Coorg, Bangalore are the common destinations to reach out to.
