Famous for its breathtaking wildlife, captivating green landscapes, and abundant forests, Kabini is an ideal destination for a weekend retreat or a brief holiday escape. Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Karnataka, this mesmerizing wonderland offers a special chance to witness elephants, leopards, tigers, and various other inhabitants of the wilderness in their natural environment, all while enjoying the magnificent views of the lush forest.
"How to reach Kabini?" is a commonly requested question. The answer isn't always simple. You may easily drive down to Kabini from Bangalore, Mysore, and other nearby cities for a long weekend and experience stunning sunsets and sunrises over the backwaters, as well as the region's attractive animals.
You will not have a dull moment in Kabini because there are several activities available, ranging from an exhilarating Jungle Safari to a calm stroll beside the Kabini Dam.
How to reach Kabini River Lodge and where is it?
River Kabini Lodge, located on the southern border of Rajiv Gandhi National Park (also known as Nagarahole National Park), is one of the greatest places to stay in the area. It was once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, but it has since been converted into a large resort located in the midst of elephant country. What more? You can easily get to this destination by car, plane, or train. Continue reading to learn the best way to get to Kabini and have a wonderful vacation there.
Reaching Kabini by Air
If you are staying abroad or in an Indian state far from Kabini, plane travel is the best alternative for you. However, because Kabini does not have its own airport, you will need to arrange a flight to Coimbatore or Bangalore and then drive to this magnificent holiday destination. Taxis, rental cars, and buses operate from both Coimbatore and Bangalore, providing a variety of transportation alternatives for getting to Kabini.
Coimbatore to Kabini
Coimbatore International Airport is one of India's major airports, with both domestic and international planes arriving often. The distance between Coimbatore and Kabini is essentially 187 kilometers. From here, you can take a rental car, taxi, or bus to Kabini.
Bus: The journey from Coimbatore to Kabini takes approximately 11 hours and 28 minutes. The bus rates might range between Rs. 1607 and Rs. 2182. This is the most cost-effective way to get to Kabini from Coimbatore. However, we do not advocate this alternative unless you have a limited budget and cannot go in any other way of transportation.
Taxi: Take a taxi from Coimbatore to Kabini, which takes around 3-4 hours. Taxi fares might range between Rs. 3000 and Rs. 3700, depending on the automobile you choose.
Rental Car: Driving to Kabini will take 3-4 hours. Depending on the type of automobile, you may be charged anywhere between Rs. 8 and Rs. 19 per kilometre. Renting a car is an excellent idea for families or groups with seniors and children because it allows you to take breaks anytime you like during the drive.
You can even take the train from Coimbatore to Mysore and then drive to Kabini.
Bangalore to Kabini
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru: Although Coimbatore airport is closer to Kabini, this one is better connected. Kempegowda International Airport is located approximately 272 kilometers from Kabini Bangalore. This airport is well connected to most of India's major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Flights from many foreign cities also land here. After arriving at Kempegowda International Airport, you can easily get to Kabini by renting a car, taxi, or taking the bus.
Bus: The journey from Bangalore to Kabini takes roughly 8 hours and 24 minutes. The bus rates might range from Rs. 2484 and Rs. 3274. If you have a lot of free time or a limited travel budget, using the bus is a wonderful option for you.
Taxi: The journey from Bangalore to Kabini takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. Taxi fares here might range between Rs. 5500 and Rs. 7000.
Rental Car: Choose from a range of rental cars departing Kabini from Bangalore, based on your group size and budget. These automobiles normally cost between Rs.6500 and Rs.7000.
Rather than travelling from Bangalore to Kabini, you may even opt to take a train to Mysore and then drive down from Mysore to Kabini. However, this would involve quite a bit of unnecessary travel, and hence should be avoided, unless necessary.
Mysore to Kabini
Mysore Airport: You can fly to Mysore and then drive to Kabini. While the Mysore airport is smaller than those in Coimbatore and Bangalore, it receives frequent flights to and from Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Goa. After arriving at Mysore Airport, you will be able to travel to Kabini via bus or cab.
Reaching Kabini by train
Kabini doesn't have its own train station. As a result, you must first take a train to Mysore or Bangalore before traveling by road to Kabini.
The Mysore railroad station is the closest train station to Kabini. The distance between Kabini and Mysore is around 70 kilometers. Mysore is a popular tourist destination in Karnataka, with various trains arriving from all around India. This scenic train route is great for creating the holiday atmosphere, as you will be able to enjoy a variety of scenic vistas from your train window.
After arriving at the Mysore railway station, take a taxi to Kabini. The travel from the Mysore railroad station to Kabini takes around an hour and a half. A private cab will cost you roughly Rs.1500 to reach your destination.
The Mysore train station is the fastest and most convenient route to reach Kabini by rail, although the Bangalore Railway station is also an option. It is approximately 215 kilometers from Kabini, and you must take a bus, taxi, or rental car to get there.
Reaching Kabini by road
Kabini is quite well connected via roadways from all regions of Karnataka, so you will have no trouble getting there. If you are on a limited budget, you can take any of the commercial or government buses that run between Kabini and Karnataka's major urban centres, such as Bangalore and Mysore. However, if you want to have a more pleasant travel or are short on time, renting a cab to Kabini would be a much better option.
For those who own a private automobile or a bike, a long drive to Kabini will be an ideal decision. The beautiful foliage along the roads leading to Kabini makes for a fantastic excursion. Furthermore, you may always pause to shoot a few stunning images in transit for your social media feed.
Taking a bus
KSRTC offers buses on a regular basis from Karnataka's major cities, including Mysore and Bangalore, to Kabini.
● A private deluxe air-conditioned bus from Bangalore (Central Bus Stand) to Kabini costs approximately Rs. 800, while a state bus costs between Rs. 300 and Rs. 400.
● A luxurious bus from Mysore to Kabini costs approximately Rs 300, while a state bus costs Rs 125.
Driving down to Kabini
Driving from Bangalore to Kabini:
How far is Kabini from Bangalore?: 210 kms
Driving to Kabini from Bangalore would take roughly 4 to 5 hours. The best road from Bangalore to Kabini is through Ramanagara, Maddur, Mandya, Mysore, and Anthare Santhe. To ensure a pleasant and hassle-free journey, utilize the NICE route connecting Bangalore to the Bangalore-Mysore highway. The Kabini River Lodge is located in Karapur, roughly 220 kilometers from Bangalore.
Driving From Mysore to Kabini:
How far is Kabini from Mysore?: 70 kms
To reach Kabini, take SH-33 from Mysore and follow the signs for Karnataka Tourism and Jungle Lodge. This entire trek will take you approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The Kabini River Lodge is located 80 kilometers from Mysore along the Mysore-Mananthavadi Road.
Driving from Coorg to Kabini:
How far is Kabini from Coorg?: 150 km
The driving time from Coorg to Kabini is approximately 2-3 hours. Coorg is one of Karnataka's most prominent hill stations, with attractions such as Madikeri Fort, Raja Seat viewpoint, Omkareshwar Temple, and Abbey Falls. As a result, if you want to spend a long vacation, you may simply visit Coorg once you finish your Kabini tour.
The roads to Kabini are well-developed, so you can expect a smooth drive. Throughout the journey, you'll be guided by proper signposts and friendly locals. The last 10 kilometers heading to the Kabini River Lodge are underdeveloped, so drive carefully.
If you're driving from Ooty to Kabini, you can take the Bandipur, Gundlupet, Begur (don't miss the left turn), Nugu Dam, and Hand Post Circle route. While this approach may be bumpy, it will allow you to read Kabini more quickly. Because Kabini is a forested region, several of the roads leading there are prone to landslides or rock falls, particularly during the monsoon season. Wild animals may also cause blockages there. As a result, you should be properly prepared for it.
Summary
The answer to this commonly asked question is dependent on several things. It depends on where you are coming from. It depends on how you want to travel and how much money you have available for travel possibilities. We have listed the most common ways to access Kabini.
If you are from northern India or an overseas traveler connecting from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, or anyplace else in India, we recommend arriving at Bengaluru overseas Airport as early as feasible. Because it takes almost five hours to go to Kabini, you should there by lunchtime at the latest, as most lodges allow you to check in about noon and leave after breakfast.
So it would be wiser to plan your travel in such a way that you arrive for lunch and you check out after breakfast on the day of your departure. While you can book your stay at any of the lodges in Kabini on your own through the lodge or resort's website, we strongly advise you to speak with us if this trip is more than simply a vacation for you.
How to reach other resorts and lodges in Kabini?
If you are driving to any of the other lodges in Kabini, except Evolve Back, which is a deviation from the route discussed above, you can follow this guide to reach the Dammankatte Safari gate and then Karapura Village or Belathur Village to arrive at lodges such as KAAV, Serai, Bison, Water Woods, and so on. To get to Evolve Back, you must first travel to Beechanahalli Dam and then over the Kabini Reservoir to the other side. Please follow the highway instructions once you arrive at the HD Kote handpost. Contact us if you need any assistance.
