Tiger & Black Panther Safari in Kabini (6N/7D)
From $1,260£950€1,130A$1,810C$1,780
Prices are per person, twin share, private departure, and are rounded. They are estimates and vary with the accommodation you choose and the season. Contact us for a final price.
This itinerary is completely customisable, including accommodation that is not on our list. Speak to our safari specialists and they will design a fully bespoke journey around a romantic dinner in the forest, a family adventure or a serious wildlife photography expedition.
About This Kabini Safari
This Kabini safari takes you to the southern edge of Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, where teak forest meets the wide backwaters of the Kabini River. Kabini is one of the finest places in Asia to see wild elephants, and its tigers, leopards and packs of dhole are seen often. It is also famed for its "black panther", which is not a separate species but an Indian leopard with melanism, a rare genetic condition that produces excess dark pigment in its skin and coat. Its appearances have drawn wildlife photographers from around the world.
You explore Nagarhole by jeep into the forest and by boat on the backwaters, where elephant herds gather to graze along the shore. The journey then crosses into Kerala for two nights in Wayanad, where the forest is explored on foot in search of the Malabar trogon, hornbills and the Nilgiri langur. It begins and ends in Bengaluru, the Garden City. A VIP welcome at Bengaluru airport, chauffeur-driven private SUVs and a short domestic flight make every transfer effortless.
Every journey is curated for you alone. Choose any hotel on our list in each destination, and your programme stays the same while the lodges change to suit the way you like to travel. Each journey contributes to TOFTigers, winner of a Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award in 2025, supporting responsible tiger tourism and the communities beside the forest. Kabini can be visited for most of the year, and every departure is private and bespoke.
Destinations Covered
Bengaluru (1 night), Kabini and Nagarhole National Park (3 nights) and Wayanad (2 nights), with Kannur for your flight back to Bengaluru.
What You Will Experience
- Nagarhole National Park, one of India's finest reserves for tigers, leopards, dhole and Asian elephants.
- The chance of Kabini's famous black panther, a leopard whose coat is darkened by melanism, a rare genetic condition, looked for on morning jeep safaris.
- Boat safaris on the Kabini backwaters, where elephant herds gather at the water's edge, especially in the dry months.
- Guided forest walks in Wayanad, on the edge of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, in search of Western Ghats endemics.
- Endemic wildlife of the Western Ghats, including the Malabar trogon, Malabar grey hornbill and Nilgiri langur.
- A choice of handpicked stays in every destination, from a relaxed wilderness lodge on the Kabini to thatched huts with private pools on the riverbank.
Design your journey with a safari specialist
Every journey is private, bespoke and curated around you: share a few details and one of our safari specialists will be in touch within 24 hours.
Thank you
Your enquiry is with our safari specialists, who will be in touch within 24 hours to begin shaping your bespoke, curated journey.
Kabini & Wayanad Itinerary: Day by Day
Safaris included: four safaris in Nagarhole with an expert naturalist, one a day, alternating between morning and afternoon: an afternoon jeep safari on Day 2, a morning jeep safari on Day 3, an afternoon boat safari on the Kabini backwaters on Day 4 and a final morning jeep safari on Day 5. The journey also includes guided forest walks in Wayanad on Days 5 to 7. If time allows during the day and park tickets are available, we can add further safaris at an additional cost.
Day 1: Arrival in Bengaluru
A VIP representative meets you as you leave the aircraft at Kempegowda International Airport and guides you through immigration, baggage reclaim and customs. Your chauffeur drives you to your hotel, about an hour away. Spend the day at rest, then, if you have the energy, take a gentle walk in Lalbagh Botanical Garden, where birds are surprisingly plentiful for the heart of a city.
Day 2: Bengaluru to Kabini
Drive: about 4 to 5 hours (210 km)
Drive: about 4 to 5 hours (210 km). After breakfast, drive south-west, past the royal city of Mysuru and into the farmland and forest of the Kabini valley. Your lodge stands on the southern edge of Nagarhole National Park. After lunch, set out on your first safari, by jeep into the forest.
Day 3: Nagarhole National Park
A morning jeep safari explores Nagarhole's teak and rosewood forest, bamboo thickets and open swamps. Chital, sambar and gaur are plentiful, and your naturalist listens for the alarm calls that betray a tiger or leopard on the move. Dhole hunt in packs here, and Kabini is one of the very few places on earth where a so-called black panther has been seen and photographed in the wild. It is not a separate species but a leopard with melanism, a rare genetic condition that darkens its skin and coat, and in the right light its rosettes still show through. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 4: Nagarhole National Park
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the lodge, then spend the afternoon on the water. A boat safari on the Kabini backwaters brings you close to elephant herds grazing along the shore, with mugger crocodiles, smooth-coated otters and islands crowded with river terns. Ospreys and grey-headed fish eagles perch in the drowned trees. In the evening, gather outdoors beneath the great trees for dinner.
Day 5: Kabini to Wayanad
Drive: about 3 hours
Drive: about 3 hours. Enjoy a final morning safari in Nagarhole and a leisurely breakfast, then drive west into the hills of Kerala. Wayanad's moist forests join Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai in one of the largest continuous forest landscapes in southern India. In the late afternoon, take your first walk in the forest with your naturalist, listening for hornbills and langurs in the canopy.
Day 6: Wayanad
Today is spent on foot. Trails lead through the forest, along streams and up to a ridge, and your naturalist chooses those that best suit your pace. Watch for Nilgiri langurs and Malabar giant squirrels in the canopy, and for endemic birds such as the Malabar trogon, Malabar grey hornbill and vernal hanging parrot. Elephants and gaur also move through these forests, and your naturalist may reveal them from a respectful distance.
Day 7: Departure
Drive: about 2.5 to 3 hours to Kannur, then a flight of about 1 hour to Bengaluru
Drive: about 2.5 to 3 hours to Kannur, then a flight of about 1 hour to Bengaluru. After a final early walk in search of the Malabar trogon, your chauffeur drives you to Kannur for your flight to Bengaluru and your onward journey.
A note from our planners: Nagarhole's safaris follow routes and timings set by the forest department, and at least one of your safaris will be by boat on the Kabini backwaters, as park rules require. Safaris at Kabini run in your lodge's own vehicles with its naturalists, and we request a jeep for your party alone wherever permits allow.
Where You Stay
Every hotel and lodge for this journey is listed below by destination, each with a label that describes its style. There are no fixed packages: you may choose any hotel in each destination, and our safari specialists will gladly arrange a stay that is not on this list. Every property is handpicked and has been used by us over many years.
Bengaluru (Day 1)
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Taj Yeshwantpur (Luxury).
A modern hotel in the north of Bengaluru, with a spa, a pool and several restaurants. It is a polished, convenient first or last night on the way to or from the airport and the forests of the south.
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ITC Windsor (Luxury).
A Tudor-inspired hotel set in landscaped gardens near the Golf Course, with spacious rooms, a spa and restaurants known for their regional Indian cooking.
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The Leela Palace Bengaluru (Luxury).
A palace-style hotel on the Old Airport Road, inspired by the Mysore Palace and the architecture of the Vijayanagara empire. It has landscaped gardens, a spa, a pool and several restaurants.
Kabini (Days 2 to 4)
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Machaan Wilderness Lodge (Eco-Luxury).
A lodge in a working coffee plantation beside Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, with forest-facing verandas and views over a stream. Its earth-toned cottages use natural materials, with rainwater harvesting and slow-cooked meals made from local produce.
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RedEarth Kabini (Eco-Luxury).
Cottages built from red mud and rammed earth, with handcrafted floor tiles, on the backwaters of the Kabini reservoir. About 95 per cent of the team come from nearby villages, and guests can take coracle rides on the water.
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Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge (Luxury).
A lodge on the bank of the Kabini river, designed after the hamlets of the local Kuruba people. Its villas have private courtyards with a plunge pool or a Jacuzzi, and an infinity pool overlooks the lake.
Wayanad (Days 5 and 6)
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Wayanad Wild (Eco-Luxury).
A boutique retreat among the forested hills of the Western Ghats, built on sustainable principles from local materials. Rooms have private balconies, and there is an outdoor pool, with traditional Kerala dishes made from local produce and fresh spices.
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Taj Wayanad (Luxury).
A resort in the hills of Wayanad, with a spa, a pool and views across the forested slopes. A comfortable, well-run base for walks in the rainforest and visits to the spice and coffee estates.
Prices
| Two guests sharing, per person | $1,260£950€1,130A$1,810C$1,780 |
|---|---|
| Two guests sharing, total for two | $2,520£1,900€2,260A$3,620C$3,560 |
| Solo traveller | $2,030£1,530€1,820A$2,910C$2,870 |
| Single supplement | $770£580€690A$1,100C$1,090 |
Estimated prices, per person, based on two guests sharing one room, one safari vehicle and one car. A solo traveller pays the per-person price plus the single supplement. Prices vary with the accommodation you choose and the season, and are rounded. Contact us for a final price. See what is included
Tailored Leisure & In-Lodge Experiences
- Coracle Ride on the Kabini: drift along the river in a traditional round coracle as the evening light settles on the water.
- Ayurvedic Wellness: restore body and mind between safaris with traditional Ayurvedic treatments at your lodge.
- Evenings by the Stream: gather around a bonfire in the Wayanad hills, beneath forested peaks.
- Garden Walk in Bengaluru: stroll through Lalbagh Botanical Garden and its century-old trees with a local guide.
Something Else in Mind? Our safari specialists can arrange any activity you would like, depending on the destination and your accommodation, such as a dawn birding walk in search of Western Ghats endemics, an afternoon learning to read tracks and alarm calls with your naturalist, or a one-to-one wildlife photography session on the backwaters.
Dining & Reservations: in Bengaluru, our private concierge secures reservations at the finest restaurants the city has to offer, including hard-to-book tables, and arranges private dinners for special occasions. Share your tastes, whether a celebrated tasting menu or the flavours of South India, and we will arrange every detail.
Popular Fauna
- Mammals: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard (including the rare melanistic leopard known as the black panther), Asian elephant, dhole, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri langur, Malabar giant squirrel, smooth-coated otter, chital and sambar
- Reptiles: mugger crocodile
- Birds: Malabar trogon, Malabar grey hornbill, grey-headed fish eagle, Indian paradise flycatcher and river tern
Sightings vary by season and are never guaranteed.
Birds of Kabini and Wayanad: Species Checklist
Nagarhole has more than 250 recorded bird species, and the forests of Wayanad add many found only in the Western Ghats. These are among the birds our naturalists see most often; sightings vary with the season.
- Raptors and owls: Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Osprey, Red-headed Vulture, Shikra, Brown Fish Owl, Jungle Owlet
- On the Kabini backwaters: River Tern, Small Pratincole, Oriental Darter, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher
- Forest birds of Nagarhole: Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Peafowl, Grey Junglefowl, Red Spurfowl, White-bellied Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback, Coppersmith Barbet, White-cheeked Barbet, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Indian Pitta, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Rufous Treepie, Plum-headed Parakeet, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Black-hooded Oriole
- Western Ghats specialities in Wayanad: Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Parakeet, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, White-bellied Treepie, Southern Hill Myna, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Orange-headed Thrush, Grey-headed Bulbul, Flame-throated Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Rufous Babbler
National Parks & Wildlife Reserves
- Nagarhole National Park: covering about 643 sq km of Karnataka's Kodagu and Mysuru districts, Nagarhole takes its name from the snake-like streams that wind through its forests. Declared a tiger reserve in 1999, it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and the Kabini reservoir separates it from neighbouring Bandipur.
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: set in the hills of northern Kerala, Wayanad joins Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai to form one of the largest continuous forest landscapes in southern India. Its moist forests shelter elephants, tigers and gaur alongside many species found only in the Western Ghats.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Six nights of handpicked accommodation, with breakfast in Bengaluru and full board at Kabini and Wayanad
- VIP meet and greet on arrival at Bengaluru Airport
- All transfers in comfortable, chauffeur-driven private SUVs
- Domestic flight: Kannur to Bengaluru
- Four jeep and boat safaris in Nagarhole National Park, one a day, with expert naturalists
- Guided forest walks in Wayanad
- All park entry fees, permits and conservation levies
Not included: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal gratuities, premium alcoholic beverages, camera fees in Nagarhole, additional safaris beyond those listed (arranged on request, subject to park ticket availability), and experiences marked “on request”.
Possible Extensions
Keoladeo Birding: fly north for two nights in Bharatpur, where Keoladeo National Park draws thousands of migratory waterbirds and raptors each winter.
Golden Triangle: begin or end your journey with Delhi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the palaces of Jaipur.
Kabini Tiger & Black Panther Safari FAQs
Can I see the black panther in Kabini?
Kabini's "black panther" is not a separate species but an Indian leopard with melanism, a rare genetic condition that darkens its skin and coat; look closely and its rosettes still show. It is one of the rarest sights in Indian wildlife, and a sighting can never be promised. Kabini is one of the very few places in the world where one has been seen and photographed in the wild, and four safaris over three nights give you a genuine chance, alongside excellent odds of elephants, leopards and dhole.
When is the best time for a Kabini safari?
Kabini can be visited for most of the year. October to February brings green forest and pleasant weather, while March to June, when the backwaters recede, is the classic season for elephant herds and predator sightings.
How do I get to Kabini?
Kabini lies about 210 km from Bengaluru, a drive of four to five hours with your chauffeur. This itinerary begins with a night in Bengaluru to rest after your international flight and ends with a short flight from Kannur back to Bengaluru.
Is this Kabini safari suitable for families?
Yes. Jeep and boat safaris suit most ages, and the forest walks in Wayanad are paced to your group. Our safari specialists will advise on the best rooms and activities for younger travellers as we plan your journey.
How do I book a private Kabini safari?
Speak with our safari specialists, who will curate this itinerary around your dates, interests and pace. Every journey is private and bespoke, and we recommend booking six to nine months ahead, especially for the popular months from March to June.