Kabini is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries of Karnataka with an ancient charm. The connection with Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur National Park makes it substantially important among the Wayanad and Mysore districts.

Therefore, consider planning your wildlife safaris near Kabini by including all these nature reserves within Karnataka to make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Let’s look at the 7 best wildlife safaris you can visit while in Kabini.

1. Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

Nagarahole Tiger Reserve is one of the chief Tiger Reserves along with Bandipur Tiger Reserve, possessing a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It became a National Park in 1983 and Tiger Reserves of India under Project Tiger and Project Elephant.

The place is 50 km from Kabini and consists of tigers, leopards, Asiatic elephants, gaur, and sambar with other carnivores and herbivores.

• Area Covered: 642.39 sq. km.
• Best Time to Visit: April to May
• Average Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
• Operational Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Distance From the Airport: 81.6 km from Mysore Airport
• Distance From Kabini: 35.6 km.
• Entry Fee:
  • Indians: ₹150 per head
  • Foreigners: ₹1500 per head
• How to Reach: You need to fly to Mysore Airport or take a train to the Mysore Railway Station. Some ample buses and cabs can help you reach this park from there.

2. Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is one of the best wildlife safaris near Kabini that comes under Project Tiger. Located at the foothills of Nilgiri and a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, it was declared a National Park in 1974 under the Wildlife Protection Act.

This park is home to almost 70 tigers, and thousands of Asian elephants, along with leopards, gaur and sloth bears.

• Area Covered: 912 sq. km
• Best Time to Visit: March to May
• Average Time to Spend: 2 to 3 hours
• Operational Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Distance From Airport: 215 km from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru
• Distance From Kabini: 76.7 km
• Entry Fee: ₹250 per head
• How to Reach: Travel to Kempegowda International Airport or Jayaprakash Nagara station to find buses or cabs to this park.

3. Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary

Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries of Karnataka, located on the banks of the Kabini River. It is a hub of diverse topography and rich vegetation that consists of around 250 different diversities, having the largest flock of Asian elephants.

During your Kabini jungle safari, you can find a spectacular range of wildlife like leopards, tigers, Sloth bears, gaurs and several species of birds.

• Area Covered: 644 sq. km
• Best Time to Visit: October to February
• Average Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
• Operational Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Distance From Airport: 64.1 km. from Mysore International Airport Bengaluru
• Distance From Kabini: 32.5 km
• Entry Fee:
  • Adults: ₹500
  • Children: ₹250
  • Foreign (adults): ₹1700
  • Foreign (children): ₹875
• How to Reach: The best way to reach this sanctuary is by taking a train to Mysore railway station. Public transport is easily available from here.

4. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a breeding and nesting ground for thousands of diverse bird species. These migratory birds come far from North America, Siberia and Australia. This sanctuary’s name came from an incarnation of Vishnu, Sri Ranganatha Swamy.

It comprises six islands on the banks of the Kaveri River. This place hosts spectacular migratory birds such as painted storks, kingfishers, herons, darters etc.

• Area Covered: 0.67 sq. km
• Best Time to Visit: June to November
• Average Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
• Operational Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Distance From Airport: 33 km from Mysore Airport and 125 km from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru
• Distance From Kabini: 96.8 km
• Entry Fee:
  • Indians: ₹50
  • Others: ₹300
• How to Reach: You can easily get buses or cabs from the airport or Srirangapatna railway station to reach this sanctuary.

5. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the wonderful wildlife safaris near Kabini located in the Western Ghats. As the name suggests, its name came from the Brahmagiri peak. This place is situated in the higher altitudes and on the border between the Kodagu district of Karnataka and the Wayanad district of Kerala.

This sanctuary has an incredible number of species such as tiger, elephant, leopard, king cobra etc.

• Area Covered: 181 sq. km
• Best Time to Visit: October to February
• Average Time to Spend: 2 to 3 hours
• Operational Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Distance From Airport: 152.8 km. from Mysore Airport
• Distance From Kabini: 42.1 km
• Entry Fee:
  • Adults: ₹50
  • Children: ₹25
• How to Reach: Fly to KempeGowda International Airport and take buses or hire cabs to this sanctuary.

6. Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary is known for the plantations of eucalyptus and sandalwood in the Mysore district. This sanctuary boasts leopards, foxes, and spotted deer along with more than 230 species of birds.

Moreover, the quarries were banned situated in the vicinity of this sanctuary making it safe for all residing floras and faunas.

• Area Covered: 13.5 sq. km.
• Best Time to Visit: December to February
• Average Time to Spend: 2 to 3 hours
• Operational Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Distance From Airport: 208 km from KempeGowda International Airport at Bangalore
• Distance From Kabini: 66.4 km
• Entry Fee: ₹200 per head
• How to Reach: You can fly to KempeGowda International Airport to find buses or cabs that travel to this sanctuary.

7. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best sanctuaries in Kerala and wildlife safaris near Kabini. It comes under the protected area of Nagarhole and Bandipur besides being an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

You can easily find here a wide range of wild animals such as Asian elephants, tigers and Gaurs.

• Area Covered: 344.44 sq. km.
• Best Time to Visit: August to February
• Average Time to Spend: 2 to 3 hours
• Operational Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Distance From the Airport: 125 km from Karipur International Airport
• Distance From Kabini: 79.2 km
• Entry Fee:
  • Adults: ₹20
  • Children: ₹10
  • Foreigners: ₹ 110
• How to Reach: Fly to Calicut International Airport. Then, you can find sufficient buses and other public transport to this region.