Karnataka · Wildlife · Riverside

Kabini

Kabini, on the Kabini River at the edge of Nagarhole National Park, is one of Karnataka’s best-known wildlife areas. It is about 60 km from Mysuru, about 1.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. Wildlife parks follow their own seasons and may close for part of the monsoon.

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Why travellers go

Visitors come for jeep and boat safaris and riverside stays, often seeing elephants along the backwaters.

Suggested time: 1–2 days
State: Karnataka
Good for: Wildlife, Riverside

Best-known sights in Kabini

Kabini backwaters boat safari: A forest department boat safari of about 90 minutes on the Kabini river, with chances to see elephants on the banks, crocodiles, and birds such as cormorants and darters. Karnataka Tourism lists two slots, 6:30-9:15 am and 3:30-6:15 pm. Slots are limited; book ahead.
Nagarhole jeep safari: Forest department safaris into Nagarhole National Park, about 848 sq km of forest with tigers, leopards, dhole, elephants and gaur.
Kabini Dam: A dam built in 1974 near Beechanahalli in H.D. Kote taluk; its reservoir separates Nagarhole from Bandipur.
Bandipur National Park: A national park of about 1,456 sq km across the Kabini river to the south, about 80 km from Mysuru. The highways through it are closed to traffic from 9 pm to 6 am.
Nugu Dam: One of the dams near the park, listed with Kabini and Taraka as places to see.
Taraka Dam: A dam near the park, listed with Kabini and Nugu as places to see.
Balle Elephant Camp: An elephant camp on State Highway 33 near Nagarhole.
Irupu Falls: A two-tier waterfall of about 52 m in the Brahmagiri range, Kodagu, about 120 km from Mysuru, reached via Kutta Road; the Rameshwara Temple is on the way. Very crowded on Shivaratri.

How many days do you need in Kabini?

Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.

One day

Morning boat safari on the Kabini backwaters
Kabini Dam at Beechanahalli
Evening jeep safari in Nagarhole

Two days

Day 1: Evening boat safari on the Kabini backwaters, Kabini Dam at Beechanahalli
Day 2: Morning jeep safari in Nagarhole, Nugu Dam, Taraka Dam

Three days

Day 1: Evening boat safari on the Kabini backwaters, Kabini Dam at Beechanahalli
Day 2: Morning jeep safari in Nagarhole, Nugu Dam, Taraka Dam
Day 3: Balle Elephant Camp, Irupu Falls via Kutta

How to reach Kabini from Mysuru and Bengaluru

From Mysuru

By road: About 80 km, about 2 hours, via H.D. Kote (Heggadadevanakote).
By train: No railway station near Kabini. Mysuru Junction is the railhead; go on by taxi.
By bus: Many buses run from Mysuru to H.D. Kote; take a taxi from there for the last stretch.
By air: Mysuru Airport, about 8-10 km south of the city, then by road.

From Bengaluru

By road: About 240 km (Karnataka Tourism), about 5 to 6 hours, via the Bengaluru-Mysuru road (NH 275) to Mysuru, then H.D. Kote.
By train: Take a train from Bengaluru to Mysuru (about 140 km, about 3 hours), then a taxi to Kabini.
By bus: Take a bus to Mysuru, then a bus to H.D. Kote and a taxi on.
By air: Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, about 170 km from Mysuru, then by road.

Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.

Best time to visit Kabini

November to February is pleasant for Kabini, and March to May is the main wildlife season, when elephants gather along the Kabini reservoir as waterholes dry up. July to October is the monsoon; roads can be difficult and safaris may not run.

Month	Weather and what to know
Jan	Dry and pleasant, about 16-29°C
Feb	Dry and warm, about 17-31°C Elephants start gathering at the water from February.
Mar	Hot and dry, about 19-34°C Good wildlife sightings near the reservoir.
Apr	Hot, thunder showers, about 21-34°C Good wildlife sightings; boat safaris may pause if water is too low.
May	Hot with thunder showers, about 21-33°C
Jun	Monsoon begins, about 20-30°C
Jul	Monsoon, about 20-29°C Safaris may not run; boat safaris may stop if the river overflows.
Aug	Monsoon, about 20-29°C Safaris may not run.
Sep	Monsoon showers, about 20-30°C
Oct	Wet, about 20-29°C
Nov	Mild, some rain, about 19-29°C
Dec	Dry and pleasant, about 17-28°C

Tips for visiting Kabini

Safari slots are limited, so book the boat or jeep safari in advance, or ask your stay to arrange it.
On park roads, stay inside your vehicle and do not stop; elephants, tigers and gaur can be dangerous.
Carry a torch, water, snacks and a spare set of clothes, and never litter or light fires in the forest.
Boat safaris can be suspended when water is too low in summer or when the river overflows in the rains.
If you drive via Gundlupet and Bandipur, remember the 9 pm to 6 am night closure on those highways.

Photos

A leopard walking through grass in Nagarhole, near Kabini — Photo: Srikaanth Sekar, CC BY-SA 2.0

Travel Trendzz and Kabini

Travel Trendzz has no published package for Kabini yet. The team plans custom trips; ask for a quote with your dates and group. For a car with a driver from Mysuru, see taxi service in Mysore.

Questions about Kabini

When is a good time to visit Kabini?

March to May is a good time for wildlife in Kabini, when elephants gather along the reservoir as waterholes dry up. November to February has more pleasant weather, about 16-30°C. July to October is the monsoon, when roads can be difficult and safaris may not run.

How far is Kabini from Mysuru and Bengaluru?

Kabini is about 80 km from Mysuru, about 2 hours by road via H.D. Kote. From Bengaluru it is about 240 km, via the Bengaluru-Mysuru road and then H.D. Kote. There is no railway near Kabini, so the last part of the trip is always by road.

What safaris are there in Kabini?

Kabini has two kinds of safari, both run by the Karnataka Forest Department: a jeep safari in Nagarhole and a boat safari of about 90 minutes on the Kabini river. Karnataka Tourism lists boat slots of 6:30-9:15 am and 3:30-6:15 pm. Slots are limited, so book ahead.

Is Kabini good for families with children?

Yes. Kabini is a calm place for families who enjoy nature. Children usually like the boat safari, where elephants and crocodiles are often seen near the water. Everyone must stay inside vehicles on park roads, so bring snacks, water and a torch, and keep noise low.

Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Kabini?

Not a published one. The team plans custom trips to Kabini on request.

Places near Kabini

Published package

Mysuru

Palaces · 2–3 days

Published package

Wayanad

Forests · 2–3 days

Published package

Coorg

Coffee hills · 2–3 days

All Karnataka destinations · All South India destinations · See all tour packages

Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.

Plan your Kabini trip

Tell the trip planner your dates, group and budget. Nothing is booked until you confirm with the team.

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Last updated 12 November 2026