The Serai Kabini

The Serai is located in a village called Karapura, 220 kms away from Bangalore, near the Rajiv Gandhi National Park and is adjacent to the Kabini River Lodge property. The resort is strategically located on the banks of the magnificent Kabini River and serves as a wonderful gallery for viewing wildlife.

The Kabini River runs between Bandipur and Nagarahole, two of the richest National Parks at the foothills of the Western Ghats in Southern India. These forests cover around 1500 sq. km (580 sq. miles) and are a mix of tropical moist and dry deciduous types. The region around Kabini river supports tree species like Teak, Mathi, Dindla, Sandalwood, Rosewood and many more along with bamboo and other grasses.

The fauna boasts more than 300 species of birds, including the endemic Malabar Trogon and Malabar Pied Hornbill, the Crested Hawk-eagle as well as an impressive assemblage of herbivores like the Asiatic Elephant, the Gaur (Indian Bison) and the Sambar. This in turn, supports a large and thriving population of predators like the Tiger (incidentally, the Nagarahole region is said to have the highest density of Tigers in India), the Leopard and the Indian Wild Dog.

The backwaters of the Kabini reservoir are now an important perennial water source where one can witness the largest and most spectacular congregations of Asiatic Elephants during peak summers.

The Serai Kabini has 8 Waterfront Verandahs, 11 Waterfront Villas and 1 stand-alone private Villa called the Residence, all deliberately placed to afford a clear view of the river. Here again the balance that is The Serai Kabini is clearly manifest. Luxurious, yet natural!

Waterfront Verandahs
Best described as intimate luxury, these tastefully appointed living spaces are packed with quite a few trappings of convenience and comfort. For those who prefer a quick refreshing shower, let the cool sprinkling water revitalize you when you bathe under the separate open sky shower.

Waterfront Villas
Aesthetically designed to resemble forest outposts that blend in with the surrounding vegetation,
wooden-beamed sloping roofs, stone-clad walls and all, these independent, luxuriously appointed cottages come with private sit out overlooking the river.

The Residence
This stand-alone, private villa is at the very edge of the property, reclusive and exclusive at the same time. While the bedroom has its own private sit out and hammock, the living room opens out to the private Jacuzzi.

Huddle (Conference Hall):
Facilities Provided:
Air-conditioned Hall, LCD TV, Projector Screen, Flip Chart, White Board, Writing pads with pencils, Cordless collar and hand mikes, DVD player, PC connectivity, DTH and Tea / coffee / cookies will be served twice a day

Wildlife Library:
If you would like to delve a little deeper into the secrets of the the surrounding forests and eco-system, this is the place to start. With a fine collection of books, films and documentaries, puzzles and board games, it makes for an interesting and intriguing virtual journey into wildlife and history.

Wild Grass - The Restaurant:

As the centerpiece of the resort, the Wild Grass restaurant is where the guests congregate to satiate the cravings of the palate, in a luxurious, comfortable and friendly ambience. And the chefs don’t disappoint, conjuring up delectable buffet spreads of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies.

Breakfast is a combination of Continental and Indian cuisine, lunch and dinner having a varied taste of the Indian cuisine with a few dishes from the local cuisine.

The Outpost - The Bar:
Everything mixes well with water! Here, in this wooden-beamed, wooden-countered, log-cabin-like bar with its terrace deck to look out over the river, and indulging your favourite alcoholic beverage, you will realize how true that adage is!

Turquoise - The Gift Shop
?While your stay here will always seem over too quick, you can always take a piece of The Serai with you. Not literally of course, but in the form of a souvenir for yourself or a gift for a dear one! Choose a quaint piece or an elaborate one, but rest assured memories are made of these.

Swimming pool:
Offers a magnificent view of the Kabini River. Open from 5 AM to 11PM.

Gym:
Gym Equipments: Multi-gym, Weights, Upright Cycle, Treadmill.

Oma Spa:
With a unique blend of Indian and International treatments and approaches, the therapists devote themselves entirely to your physical and spiritual well being, making OMA the ideal place for physical, mental and spiritual rejuvenation. There are a number of Massages, Scrubs, Wraps, Facials and Therapies offered to revitalize and energize your mind, body and soul.

Jungle safari: Land or water safaris (by jeep / boat) into the tourism zone of the National Park. A qualified naturalist accompanies you on every trip to help you interpret the exotic flora and fauna of the region.

Note- Children of age three and below are not allowed for Jungle Safaris.

Nature walks: Learn everything about the flora and fauna of the region from our naturalists who will lead you on the trail.

Bird Watching: Bird watching in Kabini is an excellent pastime with over 300 species of birds being recorded here. The backwaters of the Kabini act as a huge water body attracting a wide variety of water birds. Even when the river recedes, it leaves isolated pools of water that attract a multitude of birds as fish are trapped in them.

Boat Rides: During the hot summer months it tries to hide (unsuccessfully though) between rocks and sand bars and during the monsoon it gushes effusively. A rowboat, kayak or a pedal boat would be a good way to explore the exciting birdlife on the edge of the water.

Bicycle Trails: The resort is located on acres of swaying palm trees and lush, tall grass (home to dozens of different birds) and a good way to explore it would be on a bicycle.

Star Gazing: They provide a telescope and with the help of our trained naturalists, you can embark on a cosmic trip and discover the mysteries that lie beyond our planet. 

Bonfires: They have bonfires at our resort every evening where you can huddle round and let our naturalists entertain you with jungle yarns.

Mythology Safari: Explore the spots featuring in three different stories of Hindu mythology, now sites for famous temples and festivities.

Kabini plays host to over 300 species of birds including the Malabar trogon, Malabar whistling thrush, Malabar pied-hornbill, crested serpent-eagle, crested hawk-eagle, common hawk cuckoo, changeable hawk eagle, Indian Roller, Indian reed, woodpeckers, warblers, grey jungle fowl, water fowl, scarlet minivet, ospreys, ducks, herons, red vented bulbul, ring dove, common babbler, red whiskered bulbul and more.  It has a healthy population of the predators - tiger, the leopard and wild dogs - due to the high prey density of the park. Main herbivores of the park are the Asiatic elephant, gaur (Indian bison), chital (spotted deer); Sambar. Kabini is also famous for the largest congregation of Asiatic elephants in the world during the dry summer months.

By Road

• Just before entering Mysore from Bangalore, turn right off the main highway onto the new Outer Ring Road.
• Approximately 20 kilometers down the Ring Road take the exit to the right leading to H D Kote village.
• 45 kilometers later is the HD Kote Hand-Post at the intersection of two roads, a few kilometers ahead of which you will see the Kabini Dam signboard.
• Avoid the left turn, which leads to the dam, and turn right turn to reach Antarasante village. Drive through the village, proceed past the check post and turn left at the Rajiv Gandhi National Park entrance.
• Just 9 kilometers straight ahead is Jungle Lodges. A left turn here and a short drive of a kilometer will bring you to The Serai Kabini.

By Rail

• Mysore city is the nearest railway station to Serai Kabini.

By Air

• Mysore is the nearest airport. Airport at Bangalore can be used as an alternative.