[mpksuhas]

For any wildlife enthusiast from Bangalore, Kabini is the ultimate destination. Highest concentration of big cats, large prey base, beautiful rainforest, large species of birds and less than 5 hour drive from Bangalore.

We had visited Kabini Jungle lodges and resorts couple of years back, in summer of 2013 to be precise. We were lucky to witness the famous elephant migration of Kabini that time. This was just before we booked our new drive, Optimus Prime. Had decided will come over again sometime since big cats was elusive then.


Fastforward 2016, there were reports daily in various wildlife forums about big cat sightings in Kabini. It looked like anyone and everyone was sighting cats, including a sighting of 7 per day. On top of that, news of a black panther sighting regularly made us plan a visit.

Getting booking in summer time at JLR Kabini is tough task, more so when it's on a weekend. Finally, we get room availability for a weekend about one and half month later. Along with us, couple of our friends also decide to join.

[mpksuhas]

Day 1: 14- May - 2016

We start from our home near Bellandur, Bangalore at 5.30 AM. We decide to drive through city instead of our usual route via NICE road. Not a bad decision since we were able to cross NICE road Kengeri Exit by 06.20 AM.

Traffic on Mysore road was just building up, hence we were able maintain good speed and reach Mysore by 08:00 AM, we headed directly to Kamat Madhuvan for breakfast. I am not a big fan of Kamat restaurants, I feel their quality has nose dived in past decade. However in this side of Mysore, they are the best bet.

After a break of half hour we head towards Mysore ring road and take right to join Mananthavady road.


Road condition is good once you take Mananthavady road and traffic is medium.








Road condition after Handpost especially has improved greatly since our last trip.




Soon we reach Jungle lodges entry. Time is 10:35 AM and ODO reads 230 KM's.



Check In time is 12:00 PM and rooms are just getting cleaned. Hence we decide to walk around the property.


Itinerary




We walk to river bank and spend some time. Water level is extremely low compared to that during our earlier visit.



We spend sometime around here and return to find our tents ready.

We had booked accommodation at tents, there are four categories of accommodation available.

Maharaja Cottages
Cottages
Rooms
Tents

In order of room rates. We had earlier stayed at rooms and found that tents were the most value for money option. None of the room has AC or TV.

Tents from outside




Though a tent, it has a proper bathroom at backside. In the pic, bathroom is to the left of mirror seen.




After check-in we go for lunch and go out in search of different birds in the campus.





After a short nap, at 03:15 PM we head towards 'Ghol Ghar' were all safaris start from.

We had opted for boat safari for evening and jeep safari for next day morning. Safari started around 03:30 PM, the sun is strong and water reflection from water wasn't make it easier either.

[mpksuhas]

Soon we start spotting variety of birds on river bank

[mpksuhas]

Dark clouds were starting to form over the horizon by now




We saw at least a dozen crocodiles on the bank. Strangely, there were villagers washing dishes and clothes on opposite river bank to these formidable predators.




While most of the crocodiles got into water on hearing/ seeing boat. This one didn't seem much happy about the same.




It then decides that boat required a closer inspection






Soon we spot few elephants on the bank



However, due to low water level in river we are not able to catch a closer glimpse of them as we reach nearby



This is a major disappointment for us since last time, we were able to watch large number of elephants roaming around all across the grassland.


A reference pic from our trip in 2014 of the same location. Check out the large number of elephants in background.





Soon, boat driver informed that we cannot go any further since water level is low. We are a bit disappointed at this since we felt they should have informed the same beforehand. In that case we would have opted for jeep safari for both days.

Also, since it was getting cloudy we guessed it would rain in night. Meaning chances of sightings in morning would be less.


Disappointed at this we returned to the resort. Once back we spend rest of time roaming around the resort and capturing pics of dragonfly




Just as we anticipated, it started raining heavily in sometime. To add insult to injury, jeeps safari had sightings of leopard and tiger.

[mpksuhas]

Day 2 - 15 May 2016

We are up early and ready for morning jeep safari. Thankfully it hasn't rained after yesterday evening. We are ready and at safari starting point by 06:15 AM and ours is one of the first jeeps to start.


Thanks to yesterday evening's rain the forest is covered in mist.




A Common Hoopoe sighting opens our sighting account




Stripe Necked Mongoose




Malabar Giant Squirrel






With rising sun mist lifts a bit




Lone langur in pensive mood




Jungle Cock




Serpent Eagle




Indian Guar




Elephant behind bushes




Wild hare




Peacock








White throated Kingfisher with kill




Monitor Lizard




Bee Eater (Blue tailed?)




Red Whiskered Bulbul




It's nearing 09:15 AM and we start driving out of the safari.

[mpksuhas]

We are back at resort around 09:45 AM and head directly for having breakfast. Once breakfast is done, we spend some time walking around the resort and start at 11:50 AM.

Since we are planning on going to Calicut before returning to Bangalore we head towards Bavali.


Nagarahole forest entry




Road through forest




Enroute we come across this Indian Roller pair. I feel this is one of the most beautiful bird in Indian forests. However, I am yet to get a chance to photograph them from close quarters.





We reach Bavali border around 12:35 PM and Kalpetta at 1:24 PM. After a break of 40 mins for lunch we reach Calicut at 04:10 PM.


Total ODO reading 374 KM.

[mpksuhas]

Route Link


Epilogue

• Jungle lodges Kabini rooms are difficult to find and tends to get booked early.
• Book online from JLR site to avail discount.
• Tents are the most value for money options in JLR.
• Unfortunately, in rush for spotting big cats, we felt all including jeep drivers were ignoring other birds and animals.
• JLR route information thread
• Kabini route information thread

[ampere]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[NPV]

Stunning pictures to go with an excellent travelogue, Thanks for sharing

Looks like you're on a travelogue publishing spree, probably the third one in the last week or so, may the force be with you

[redcruiser]

Originally Posted by NPV

Looks like you're on a travelogue publishing spree

Yeah even I noticed this. I guess all of the travelogues were lurking in his Assembly line section and got pushed out one by one in a very short span of time. Amazing Keep up the good work.

[earthian]

Short crisp travelogue with good pictures. We too had a good time at kabini jungle lodges. While the property is good, we found the food passable and the overall maintenance of the property just satisfactory.
Thank you for sharing.

[concorde24]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

. To add insult to injury, jeeps safari had sightings of leopard and tiger.

Excellent pictures and write-up. I have been up-to Nagarhole side (kings sanctuary) and JLR seems to be a much better choice.

Also, any luck with striped sightings on your jeep tour??

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by NPV

Looks like you're on a travelogue publishing spree, probably the third one in the last week

Originally Posted by redcruiser

Yeah even I noticed this. I guess all of the travelogues were lurking in his Assembly line

Thanks. Yes, was busy since past few months. So, when I finally got free time, completed all travelogues at one go.

Else, infact trips has come down since past year or so.

Originally Posted by earthian

While the property is good, we found the food passable and the overall maintenance of the property just satisfactory.

Thanks.
Yes, true. The resort maintanance doesn't do justice to the price they charge. However, considering the other options which are expensive by a large margin and that all safaris are conducted by JLR no matter where you stay. This becomes the only viable option.

Originally Posted by concorde24

Also, any luck with striped sightings on your jeep tour??

Thanks.

No. In the morning when we took jeep safari. Only one jeep was able to spot a leopard. Considering the earlier sigtings, due to overnight rain sightings were bad.

[nkrishnap]

Nice travelogue. The sighting in a jeep safari is much better. Afternoon safari's are better. Till date majority of sightings of the cats are during the afternoon safari.

[Grace]

Suhas,
Can you kindly share the tariff of JLR for this 2 day package?

Regards
andy