The open forests in Karnataka offer a different experience for visitors and among them Kabini forest reserve is noted for its rich wildlife. Kabini is located 80 km from Mysuru and 205 km from Bengaluru. It is also easily accessible from Kerala, being a mere 27 km off Wayanad.
The thick forest at Kabini is a part of the Nagarhole national park. Extending to an area of 55 acres, the Kabini forest was once the favourite hunting ground of the maharajas of Mysore.
A feast of sights awaits travellers at the forest and the Beechanahalli Dam built across the Kabini river in 1974 is notable among them. The area has several resorts and other accommodations offering a comfortable stay for families. In short, Kabini is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway.
There are a number of other interesting sights also nearby. Travellers from Kerala can head to Mananthawady in Wayanad district and drive to Nagerhole National Park. After enjoying the forests scenes there, travel along the Hunsur-Gundlupet route where chances of spotting wildlife sightings are high. Then you can stay at a resort in Gundlupet, where life in a village bordering the forest can be experienced. The nearby areas have fields where sunflower is cultivated and the flowers in bloom are a sight to behold.
A bus safari is available at a place called Antharasanthe. Visitors can book tickets at the office of the Forest Department there and the safari would take them to the banks of the Kabini reservoir. Wild elephants and tigers can be sighted during the trip.
Another place of interest in the vicinity is the Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, which is home to thousands of winged beauties. Travellers can then spend the night at Paschimavahini, a small town, and start for Mysuru next morning.
