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Jungle Lodges & Resorts · Wildlife

Kabini River Lodge

Nagarhole National Park, H.D. Kote, Mysuru District · 220 km from Bengaluru
🐇 Tiger Safari 🐘 Elephant Country 🐶 100+ Bird Species ⛰️ Maharaja's Legacy ⛵ Kabini Backwaters
220 km
From Bengaluru
4 Packages
To choose from
Year-round
Open season
From ₹12,136
Per person
🐇

Tiger Country

Nagarhole National Park

Kabini River at dawn
⛵

Boat Safari

Kabini backwaters
🐘

Elephant herds

Wildlife sightings
🏠

Maharaja Cottage

Heritage accommodation
🌟

Campfire evenings

Evening at Ghol Ghar
Property at a glance
Operated by
Jungle Lodges & Resorts
Govt. of Karnataka
Distance
220 km Bengaluru
80 km Mysuru
Nearest Railway
Mysuru Junction
80 km away
Nearest Airport
Mysuru Airport
~75 km away
Check-in / out
12 noon / 11 AM
Season
Year-round
Peak: Oct–May
Starts from
₹12,136
Per person, twin sharing
Single supplement
30% extra
Above twin rate

Our Perspective

Our perspective on this property

Kabini River Lodge is the crown jewel of Jungle Lodges and Resorts — and for good reason. This is not a stay you book for the room. You book it for what happens outside: the early morning jeep safari when mist still sits on the Kabini backwaters, the moment the naturalist goes quiet and points toward a tiger at the waterhole.

The property carries a rare combination — the legitimacy of a former Maharaja’s hunting lodge, the accessibility of a government-run resort, and naturalists who genuinely know their forest and love sharing it.

For families visiting Karnataka’s wildlife for the first time, this is the safest and most rewarding choice. For couples, the Maharaja Package with its river-facing private balcony is worth every rupee. For budget travellers, the Dormitory Package still gets you into the same Nagarhole forest with the same excellent naturalists.

Our honest advice: book at least 2 nights. One night barely scratches the surface. And book well in advance — October to May slots fill weeks ahead. Call us and we will help you get the right package for your group.

🔍

Jeep Safari
kabini-jeep-safari.jpg

Early morning jeep safari — Nagarhole National Park
🐇

Tiger sighting
kabini-tiger.jpg

Tiger at the waterhole
⛵

Boat safari
kabini-boat-safari.jpg

Boat safari on Kabini backwaters

📷 Jeep safari · Tiger sighting · Kabini backwaters

Packages & Accommodation

Premium
Maharaja Package
Queen bed · 42 sq m · AC · River facing · Private balcony
  • Two Jeep Safaris into Nagarhole
  • Coracle Ride
  • All meals — breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Forest entry charges
  • GST 18% included
Only package with 2 jeep safaris — highest big cat sighting probability
Heritage
Viceroy Package
Twin bed · 34 sq m · No AC · Room NB or EB · Sitout area
  • One Boat or Van Safari
  • One Jeep Safari
  • Coracle Ride
  • All meals included
  • Forest entry charges
  • GST 18% included
Heritage block with bar & the famous Ghol Ghar dining gazebo overlooking the river
Nature
Kabini Tent Package
Twin bed · 37 sq m · Air cooler · River facing · Sitout area
  • One Boat or Van Safari
  • One Jeep Safari
  • Coracle Ride
  • All meals included
  • Forest entry charges
  • GST 18% included
Closest to jungle living — tented cottage right by the river
Budget
Dormitory Package
Dormitory accommodation
  • One Boat Safari
  • One Van Safari
  • Coracle Ride
  • All meals included
  • Forest entry charges
  • GST 18% included
Same forest, same food, same JLR naturalists — most accessible way to experience Kabini
  • Tariff is per person per night on twin-sharing basis
  • Single occupancy: 30% extra above twin-sharing rate
  • Children below 5 years: complimentary  |  Children 6–12 years: 50% of adult tariff
  • Camera & lens entry fees charged separately by Forest Department
  • Transfers to and from resort are not included in tariff
Tariff is dynamic and subject to change without prior notice. Call Padaki Travel Desk at +91 97315 56663 for current rates before booking.
🐘

Elephant herd
kabini-elephants.jpg

Elephant congregation at Kabini backwaters — April
🌙

Campfire evening
kabini-campfire.jpg

Campfire at Ghol Ghar — evenings at Kabini

🐘 Elephant country · 🌙 Evenings at Ghol Ghar

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Best Time to Visit

🏖
October – February
The Ideal Season

Pleasant weather, 10–26°C. Consistent wildlife sightings. Best for bird watching from December. Soft morning light — ideal for photography. Peak demand — book 4–6 weeks ahead.

Best overall
☀️
March – May
Peak Wildlife Season

Forest dries up — animals concentrate at the river. Highest tiger and leopard sighting probability. April safaris have recorded 60+ elephants at backwaters. Hot but extremely rewarding.

Best for big cats
🌧️
June – September
The Green Season

Forest turns lush and vibrant. Excellent bird watching. Boat safaris especially enjoyable. Good deer and sambar sightings. Big cat sightings harder. Lower tariff season.

Nature & photography

Who Should Book This

Families with Children

Safaris by jeep and boat — safe and engaging for children. Patient naturalists. All-inclusive removes planning stress. Children below 5 complimentary.

Senior Travellers

Single-storey, fully accessible. No walking inside the forest. Structured, attentive environment. JLR staff consistently praised by elderly guests.

First-time Wildlife Visitors

Under 5 hours from Bengaluru. Everything is organised. Naturalists guide you through every experience from the moment you arrive.

Wildlife Photographers

Morning and evening safaris, boat safaris on backwaters, expert naturalists. October–February for best light. March–May for highest sighting frequency.

Couples & Anniversary Trips

Maharaja Package with river-facing balcony. Campfire evenings by the river. An intimacy no hill station or beach resort can match.

🏠

Maharaja Package
kabini-maharaja-room.jpg

Maharaja Package — river facing
🛡️

Viceroy Package
kabini-viceroy-room.jpg

Viceroy Block — heritage rooms
⛺️

Kabini Tent Package
kabini-tent.jpg

Tented cottage — river view
🍴

Buffet dining
kabini-food.jpg

Buffet meals — all packages

🏠 Maharaja · 🛡️ Viceroy · ⛺️ Tent · 🍴 Dining

Combine with These JLR Properties

🐘 Wildlife · Elephant Camp
Dubare Elephant Camp
Coorg · ~90 km from Kabini · Cauvery River
🐇 Wildlife · Tiger Reserve
Bandipur Safari Lodge
Bandipur · ~65 km from Kabini
🌿 Wildlife · Wilderness
K Gudi Wilderness Camp
B.R. Hills · ~95 km from Kabini
🋺 River · Adventure
Bheemeshwari Adventure Camp
Cauvery · ~120 km from Kabini

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kabini River Lodge?
Kabini River Lodge is a wildlife eco-resort operated by Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd, a Government of Karnataka company, located on the banks of the Kabini River at the edge of Nagarhole National Park. It was formerly the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore. The resort offers jeep safaris, boat safaris and coracle rides into Nagarhole. Price starts from Rs 12,136 per person on twin-sharing basis including safari and all meals, subject to change.
What packages are available at Kabini River Lodge?
Four packages are available: Maharaja Package (AC cottage, queen bed, river facing, two jeep safaris — the premium option); Viceroy Package (heritage rooms, one boat or van safari and one jeep safari); Kabini Tent Package (tented cottage, river facing, same safaris as Viceroy); Dormitory Package (one boat and one van safari — most affordable). All packages include all meals, coracle ride and forest entry charges.
What is the best time to visit Kabini River Lodge?
October to May overall. October to February for pleasant weather and consistent sightings. March to May for highest tiger and leopard sighting probability — animals concentrate at the river as water sources dry. June to September is monsoon — lush and beautiful but big cat sightings are harder. Kabini is open year-round.
How far is Kabini River Lodge from Bangalore?
220 km from Bengaluru — approximately 4.5 to 5 hours by road. Take the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway to Mysuru (140 km, about 3 hours), then Mysuru to Kabini via H.D. Kote (80 km, about 2 hours). Nearest railway station is Mysuru Junction, 80 km away. Nearest airport is Mysuru Airport, about 75 km away.
What wildlife can be seen at Kabini?
Nagarhole National Park offers tigers, leopards (including the rare melanistic black panther), Asian elephants, Indian gaur, wild dogs, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer, otters, crocodiles and over 100 bird species. April safaris have recorded 60+ elephants at the backwaters in a single afternoon. March to May offers the highest tiger and leopard sighting probability.
Is Kabini River Lodge suitable for families with children?
Yes — one of the best family wildlife experiences in South India. All safaris are by jeep or boat. Naturalists are experienced with young visitors. Children below 5 years are complimentary. Children 6 to 12 years are charged 50% of adult tariff. A minimum 2-night stay is recommended.
How many nights should I stay at Kabini River Lodge?
Minimum 2 nights is strongly recommended. This gives you 4 safaris total (2 morning + 2 evening), which significantly increases tiger and leopard sighting probability. Most guests who stay 1 night wish they had booked longer. Wildlife enthusiasts typically book 2 to 3 nights.
What should I carry for a visit to Kabini?
Neutral-coloured clothing (avoid bright colours in the forest), binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent and a torch. Warm layers for early morning safaris in winter (Oct–Feb). Waterproof gear for monsoon visits. Camera and lens entry fees are charged separately by the Forest Department. All meals are included so no need to carry food.
Is Kabini River Lodge good for senior citizens?
Yes — particularly well-suited for senior travellers. The property is single-storey and fully accessible. All safari activities are by jeep or boat — no walking in the forest required. Structured all-inclusive packages remove all planning decisions. JLR staff are consistently praised for their attentiveness to elderly guests.
How do I book Kabini River Lodge?
Call or WhatsApp Padaki Travel Desk at +91 97315 56663 or email muralidhar@karnatakatravelguide.in. We process bookings at official Jungle Lodges & Resorts rates. Book at least 4–6 weeks in advance for October to May. For Diwali and school holidays, 8 weeks advance booking is strongly advised.

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Address
No. 81, 6th Main, 18th Cross,
Malleswaram, Bangalore — 560055
Phone
+91 97315 56661
+91 97315 56663
Email
muralidhar@karnatakatravelguide.in
+91 97315 56663

Any content mismatch on this page is purely accidental and not intentional. Rates and details are subject to change and will be confirmed at the time of booking.

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