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-   -   Bangalore to Kabini, Help Needed!!! (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/80308-bangalore-kabini-help-needed.html)

I intend to spend a vacation at Orange County-Kabini some time in July. There are two options I am strugling with, whether to take a chauffer driven car from Bangalore to Kabini about 270 KMs or hire a self driven car for a period of 4-5 days.

The Chauffer driven car obviously is expensive with Indigo costing 9100/- and Innova costing 12,900/- for a period of 4 days.

The Self Drive option though cheaper, is something I am not very familiar with.

What kind of options are available?
What kind of security deposit would I be expected to pay?
Are there any reliable agency operator you can recommend?
What are the common pitfalls, that I should be vary of?

I am not too fussy about the make of the car, currently own a Safari and an Alto and can comfortably drive anything inbetween. I just want it to be cheap, specially considering the fact that I am forking out a fortune for the package at Orange County.

People from Banglore (oops Bengaluru) please help.

Check out these threads,

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...road-trip.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...-agencies.html

Thanks bullinb.

Will continue my quest on the thread referred by you.

The only observation I have seen is that, if you start and end at the same place, hiring a vehicle turns out to be a good deal. If you end up somewhere else, you pay double, as you get charged for vehicle's return to the source also.

Since you start and end in BLR, it would be good to hire a vehicle. Of what I have heard from others, self drive vehicles on hire in BLR are pretty costly. Please note this is not my opinion, but what I have heard others say.

Guys, Planning a trip to Kabini Jungle lodges. Wanted to understand the condition of the road currently. Also how much time does it take for the same

Drive time 4-5 hours. Drive till Mysore seamless, if you start early. Loads of hotels on the way to have food.
From Mysore hit the Hunsur road.

How to approach Hunsur road? Hit the ORR signal at Mysore on the SH17. Take right and keep driving on the ORR,
till you hit the Hunsur road exit. Its another 70 Km from the place.

You will see sign-boards that would guide to the place.

I think taking the Hunsur road will be rather roundabout. The Kabini River lodge is a short deviation from the Mysore-Mananthavady road (The direct road that leads to Bavali). Not sure about the road current road conditions though. It used to be decent except for one 8-10 km stretch in the forest.

Kala, Thanks very much. That was a typo.
Yes you need take the Mananthavady road and NOT the Hunsur road.

Pretty comprehensive directions to Cicada Kabini are given here:

Cicada – Wildlife Resorts in India: Kabini River, Bandipur, BR Hills

Thanks for the direction

I need a recent update on the Bangalore Kabini road conditions specifically the last 80 Kms stretch from Mysore.

I am planning to go to The Serai Kabini Insha Allah the coming weekend.

As per reports seen here the first 65 kms or so remains to be in very good condition, but the last stretch (the one after the deviation at the WLS entrance) would probably be a bit demanding on your vehicle. And you may also run into roadwork on this section since they were supposed to have started repair work there a couple of weeks ago.

Ok noted. Because of this I have decided to take a SUV as they tend to have better ground clearance than the sedans.

Mysore to HD Kote Junction is the first stretch. 45 kms with very good roads.
From HD Kote to the turn off to Kabini is about 25 kms through the forests, which is also in good shape. About the last 5 kms that lead to the Jungle lodges, I have no clue how they are. But a friend very recently did the in a Santro and reported no problems at all. In an SUV it should be a breeze.
Have a fun ride!