Kabini - The call of the wild

ashphil · 12th May 2018, 18:50

Two hours with a tiger! Wow! What a wonderful experience! Lovely photographs! Thank you for sharing!
Regards,
Ashok

Stryker · 13th May 2018, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKavuri

How does one book the safari? Is it run by Government or private operators? Can it be booked on the spot?

Thanks SKavuri. If you want to book a stay at Jungle Lodges, you can check their official site. This comes with two safaris per day included. Most resorts in the Kabini area usually include safaris in the package, but they all go thru JLR.

Online booking for safaris are not possible in Nagarhole (or anywhere else in Karnataka I think, the Forest Department seems to be living under a rock in this regard), so you have to go to that Dammanakatte office and book directly. No private operators are allowed, it is all government everywhere in Karnataka.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashphil

Two hours with a tiger! Wow!

Thanks, Ashok.

itwasntme · 13th May 2018, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stryker

No private operators are allowed, it is all government everywhere in Karnataka

Thanks, very useful information. Although sometimes I think because it is still GoK everywhere, KA still has a pretty well managed wilderness and nature tourist circuit inside the designated protected areas. Had it been private, it would have been crassly commercialised by now.

Stryker · 14th May 2018, 07:43

I agree. Since the number of vehicles entering the forest at any one time is also strictly controlled, there is no mad rush at the entrance gates unlike at other parks in various states. Surprisingly, the forest department seems to be doing a good job, except for the unreasonable "lens charge" of 500/- for any lens over 200mm at Kabini.

sudev · 14th May 2018, 08:18

That last picture is a class in itself. Nice camera work.

Stryker · 14th May 2018, 09:44

Thanks sudev. That last one was shot at ISO 4000 to counter the fast fading light, as it was nearly 6:30 pm. I was scrunched down in the van in a very uncomfortable position between seats to see if I could get an eye level shot. Fortunately, it worked. The Nikon D7200 is a great wildlife camera as the noise control even at such high ISOs is pretty good. Very minimal processing on this one and no cropping.

vsathyap · 31st May 2018, 15:10

Stryker strikes again! Brilliant pictures - looks like your lucky streak at Kabini continues! The last picture of the close of up the tiger is simply stunning!

Meanwhile, I was laughing - reading the adventures of your lens hood. It only confirms one thing - the 200-500 hood isn't all that secure! We may have to do some jugaad to fix it up nicely. Any future plans to get back on the Safari trail in search of the Black Panther? If so, pls PM me!

Stryker · 31st May 2018, 17:29

Thanks, Vishwas. Yes, I agree with you about the 200-500 lens hood. Some jugaad definitely necessary to ensure it is secure.

As of now, I don't have any plan to go to Kabini in the near future. The bug isn't biting that hard yet! If I do, I'll certainly let you know.

12th May 2018, 18:50	#16
ashphil BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chennai/ KSA Posts: 249 Thanked: 110 Times	Re: Kabini - The call of the wild Two hours with a tiger! Wow! What a wonderful experience! Lovely photographs! Thank you for sharing! Regards, Ashok
	() Thanks

14th May 2018, 07:43	#19
Stryker BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 493 Thanked: 2,884 Times	Re: Kabini - The call of the wild I agree. Since the number of vehicles entering the forest at any one time is also strictly controlled, there is no mad rush at the entrance gates unlike at other parks in various states. Surprisingly, the forest department seems to be doing a good job, except for the unreasonable "lens charge" of 500/- for any lens over 200mm at Kabini.
	() Thanks

14th May 2018, 08:18	#20
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	Re: Kabini - The call of the wild That last picture is a class in itself. Nice camera work.
	(1) Thanks

14th May 2018, 09:44	#21
Stryker BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 493 Thanked: 2,884 Times	Re: Kabini - The call of the wild Thanks sudev. That last one was shot at ISO 4000 to counter the fast fading light, as it was nearly 6:30 pm. I was scrunched down in the van in a very uncomfortable position between seats to see if I could get an eye level shot. Fortunately, it worked. The Nikon D7200 is a great wildlife camera as the noise control even at such high ISOs is pretty good. Very minimal processing on this one and no cropping.
	() Thanks

31st May 2018, 15:10	#22
vsathyap BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: BengaLuru Posts: 422 Thanked: 1,647 Times	Re: Kabini - The call of the wild Stryker strikes again! Brilliant pictures - looks like your lucky streak at Kabini continues! The last picture of the close of up the tiger is simply stunning! Meanwhile, I was laughing - reading the adventures of your lens hood. It only confirms one thing - the 200-500 hood isn't all that secure! We may have to do some jugaad to fix it up nicely. Any future plans to get back on the Safari trail in search of the Black Panther? If so, pls PM me!
	(1) Thanks

31st May 2018, 17:29	#23
Stryker BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 493 Thanked: 2,884 Times	Re: Kabini - The call of the wild Thanks, Vishwas. Yes, I agree with you about the 200-500 lens hood. Some jugaad definitely necessary to ensure it is secure. As of now, I don't have any plan to go to Kabini in the near future. The bug isn't biting that hard yet! If I do, I'll certainly let you know.
	() Thanks