Kabini Dam was built in 1974 for an irrigation project and a huge reservoir was built. The Kabini dam is 2,284 feet long and 58 Mts high. Mastigudi lake is named after the village it submerged and it became the nucleus of the reserve.

The kabini is a tributary of the cauvery which runs through nagarahole and finally drains into the reservior.

Mastigudi temple is visible when the reservior drains out during summer.

The Kabini dam at Beechanahalli village  seprates Nagarahole from Bandipur.

Kabini Dam is located on the Mysore-Manathavady Road.

Things To Do

Wildlife Safaris: An excellent home for the Asian elephant. Wildlife safaris are conducted twice a day in jeeps along pre-designated routes. Early morning safari you get to see animals and evening safari you can spot leopards. In summer safari rides are taken towards the river as the water sources dry up, to watch large elephant herds. In the morning Elephant rides are organised.

Boating is a very popular activity they run motorboat rides twice a day on the lake till the edge of the forest for wildlife spotting. You can spot aquatic birds, crocodilies basking on the banks, sambar at the edge of the water etc. Sometimes you also get a chance to see tuskers feeding on tender bamboo shoots.

They also have bamboo rafts, pedal boats, kayaks and rowboats on the lake for you to enjoy the evening sunset.

Birdwatching: If you are are a ardent birdwatcher Kabini is the place to be. There are over 350 species of birds identified here. The riverine habitat surrounded by forests, provides ample opportunities for birdwatching.

You will be able to spot grey-headed fish eagles, ospreys and nestling sites of great cormorants on the dry stumps of trees. Malabar pied hornbill, Malabarlark, Malabar trogon, Indian pitta are the main species to look out for during guided nature walks.

Other Activites

Nature walks,

Bicycle trails,

Bonfires and

Tribal village visits are organised
 

Kabini is an all year visit destination with pleasant and warm climate all through the year. Summers (March - May) have a temperature band of 10°C during nights to 36°C during daytimes. Winters (December to February) have a maximum day temperature of 26°C. The minimum during this period touches to 6°C. Monsoons are heavy during June to September

Kabini can be visited any time in a year. For a closer peek at wildlife, the best season is November to June, keeping off heavy rainy period.

Getting There Distance(s):

• 208 km South West from Bangalore
• 69 km from Mysore

Route(s) From Bangalore

• SH17 to Mysore via Maddur and Mandya
• SH17D (Mananthavady Road) to Antarasante via Chattanahalli and Hampapura
• District road to Karapur

How to Reach

Road:

Car: From Mysore’s Hand Post Circle take the Mananthavady Road till Kabini Circle. The road bifurcates here. Take the left arm to Antarasante; 5 km from here you enter the jungle. A little further down is Kabini River Lodge at Karapur. The resorts are 2 km ahead.

Bus: Daily KSRTC service to Kabini from the Central Bus Stand in Bangalore.
 

Rail:

• Rail Nearest railhead: Mysore Junction
• Best option TO Mysore Express (dep: Bangalore City 7.05 am; arr: Mysore Junction 10 am).
• Best option FROM Chennai Express (dep: Mysore Junction 6 pm; arr: Bangalore City 9 pm)
Journey Time
• Road: 5 hours
• Rail: 3 hours + 1 3/4 hours by road