I was searching for a weekend getaway for quite some time and Kabini seemed to crop up wherever I looked. After evaluating several options and facing disappointments due to unavailability of accommodation, we finally narrowed down to Jungle Lodges Resort, Kabini. This review is as much a post about the weekend as it is about the place.
JLR Kabini is located about 220+ kms from Bangalore. This place is located on the southern fringes of Nagarhole National Park and on the back waters of the Kabini dam. This place offers a great place for families to stay in peaceful natural surroundings and catch up on some wildlife action.They provide various kinds of accommodation starting from tented cottages at approx Rs 3000 to more elaborate river facing cottages at 5000 and above per person per night. These rates include lodging, boarding and 2 safaris. While the rates seem high, you need to see it yourself to know why it is worth it.
The resort is a large camp like area (owned by the Maharajas of Mysore in their hey days). While the place is surrounded by forest, the camp is very well maintained with plenty of open areas to play, benches to sit around and shaded corners to relax. We booked a river facing cottage. Excellent rooms with all amenities (no AC). Excellent river view. Clean bathrooms and decent amount of privacy. We took a 2.5 hr jeep safari in the evening and a boat safari of similar duration the next morning. Sep is a green time of the year - soothing sights but bad time for animal watching. Apart from the usual deers and monkeys, we saw a tusker and a small herd of elephants. During the boat safari we caught some excellent aquatic bird life. You can also take a small coracle ride at additional cost.
The food is good to avg. Some dishes esp the veg ones were tastier than their appearance while simple items like sambar and rasam were disappointing. The restaurant also serves snacks and all kinds of beverages and liquor at actual.
The staff is excellent - very knowledgeable and friendly. They are more than willing to talk and share experiences about wildlife. Feel free to approach them with requests - they are willing to accommodate.
Best time to visit is feb-apr. Hot weather but supposedly the best time to view elephants - Nagarhole NP is famous for them. But whether its serious wildlife viewing or just a lazy relaxing weekend, this place has it for everyone. We stayed one night but we wish we had booked one more night. Its a place worth 2 nights at least. Good place to come as a group of friends or a couple. Not ideal for kids as this is a quite place and kids get restless and noisy after a while. It will be difficult to entertain them without disturbing others.
The drive is quite ordinary. The last 15 odd kms are bad roads while rest is excellent but no great scenery. Just make sure you follow the sign boards for JLR once you reach the forest boundary.If travelling in peak monsoon, go up to Kabini dam. You will be lucky if the dam is full and they are releasing water. Otherwise nothing great there or anywhere else on the way apart from the places on Mysore highway.