[nkrishnap]

Last trip to Kabini was in June 2016. Monsoon rains and the madness at office ensured I could not go out exploring the forests again.

Sunday night my bhpian friend mohanKV messaged me on Whatsapp enquiring if we can go on a drive to Nagarahole. I reluctantly agreed knowing that there will be huge crowds and a confirmed ticket for the safari at Kabini . We debated which car to take, after a lot of to and fro messages, I agreed to let Mohan get his Audi Q3.

He came and picked me up at 1.50 am and we headed off to pick one of his colleagues Dheeraj. A straight dash was planned, however I had nauseating feeling thanks to the perfume and the new car smell in the Q3 Invariably I threw up. Relaxed a bit, post that I took the wheel to ensure the nausea feeling doesn't come up again. A quick break in CCD where these guys had a coffee & snack, I managed to get a power-nap for about 30 mins. Being refreshed, drove at decent speeds to reach the Nagarahole Check-post from the Veeranahosahalli side by 5.50 am. Surprisingly they were letting cars in before 6 am sighting the rush that can build up. It was still dark and we could spot load of spotted deer and huge herd of Guars (a size of around 30 odd). Reached the forest office by 6.50 am. Two buses were already leaving by then and the third bus almost full. It had rained for about 3 hours from 3 am and this ensured that the sightings will be almost nil. We still went ahead with the Safari, the fresh atmosphere around the forests after a rain is worth experiencing.

Forest Atmosphere being good, something had to go wrong. This time it was the people inside the bus. A drunk guy was shouting and hurling abuses to the driver after seeing some water on the seat. Even after the seat wiped, this guy was going on and on. Not surprisingly he had drunk. He did not shop until one of us asked him to shut up. We managed to spot regulars like spotted deer, sambar deer, Kingfisher and serpent eagle.









Returned back from the Safari and started off towards the Damankatte Office as we wanted to reach there before 10.30 to confirm our tickets for the safari. Had brief stop over at Kutta for breakfast and we were off. Took the Kutta - Kattikulam - Bavali - Balle - Damankatte route. Mohan drove from here while I relaxed in the rear seat with the fresh air of the forests. Sunroof did help here.

View from the rear seat



Reach Damankatte office at 10.10 am. First thing I did was to ensure the the amount is paid and the tickets confirmed for the 2nd Safari. Tried to get hold of tickets for the 1st Safari, but it was sold out not surprising as it was a holiday.

[nkrishnap]

Post confirming the tickets we were debating if we need to drive through the forests again on this route. However, the road conditions being pretty bad, we decided against it. Mohan and his colleague had a nap in the forest office bench while a cool breeze made it comfortable. Woke up around 12.30 and headed off for lunch. Post lunch another round of nap. We headed to have tea at 3.15 pm. We were back at the forest office by 3.45 pm. Now the agonizing wait for the safari bus continued till 4.15 pm.

Meanwhile this monkey was in deep thoughts wondering what was the commotion with the bus arriving and the people moving briskly to select their seats in the bus.



A random shot



We started off at 4.30 pm for the safari. This time we avoided the Tiger tank as we would be held up with only one zone.

Somewhere near the backwaters this shy elephant was spotted.





This one was real shy and immediately backed off into the bushes and was making sounds as if to communicate "Please get off my territory and don't block my way". Soon moved on and it cross the road. Communication helps you see



Now we were round about near the back waters to maximize what ever could see.

Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer and Wild boars.











Brahmini Kite doing a survey



Crested Serpent Eagle



We came across a herd of Elephants and Guars.

Guars











Elephants. One these charged at the safari bus and stopped about 10-12 ft from the bus.

















Sunset at the back waters.



As it was getting our driver was in rally mode. Reached the Damankatte forest office by 6.35 pm. We made a quick dash to Bangalore with a stop of over for Dinner on the Outskirts of Mysore. Reached home by 11.30 pm.

Route map

[ampere]

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

[Ddrive]

Awesome is the word. Nice sightings and nice photographs.
Please inform how much is the fare for the safari.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by Ddrive

Awesome is the word. Nice sightings and nice photographs.
Please inform how much is the fare for the safari.

Safari in the department vehicle is 300 bucks per person. But its next to impossible to get the tickets booked. You need to be in person to get the tickets.