Saturday, May 14, 2016

Photography at Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, Kabini, Karnataka

TRIP 2: January 2024

Summary:

Day 1: Drive from Hyderabad to Bangalore (Overnight stay at Taj Bangalore) 
            Driving time of 6 hr 50 min from 5-00 AM till 11-48 AM, 554 km. 
Day 2: Drive from Bangalore to Kabini (Stay at Evolve Back Kabini)
            Driving time of 4 hr 30 min from 8-40 AM till 1-15 PM, 270 KM
Day 3: Stay at Evolve Back Kabini (1 Boat safari)
Day 4: Stay at Evolve Back Kabini (2 Jeep Safari)
Day 5: Stay at Evolve Back Kabini (1 Jeep Safari)
Day 6: Drive from Kabini To Bangalore (Overnight stay at Taj Yeshwantpur)
            Driving time of 3 hr 45 min from 9-30 AM till 1-15 PM, 240 KM
Day 7: Drive from Bangalore to Hyderabad 
            Driving time of 7 hours from 9-40 AM till 04-40 AM, 580 km

Jeep Safari Route covering both Zone A and B 

In the above image, the dark green area is Kabini National Forest, out of which the blue lines are the route for Jeep safari. Just imagine, how big is the forest and how small is the area that we covered. No wonder it is so difficult to spot wildlife. One really has to be lucky to spot them in the safaris. In a way, it is better, as the wildlife isn't disturbed much.  

Some points to note: 
  • Saaya (The Black Panther) is not being sighted since last 7 months or so. So either he is injured or might have gone inside the core forest area. 
  • Mr. Kabini (The elephant with the longest tusk) also passed away last year. 
  • I booked my stay in Evolve Back because they guaranteed jeep safari bookings, unfortunately Serai told me that they cannot confirm the bookings for jeep safari as it is controlled by JLR. In a way they were correct, but if I'm making a booking 3 months in advance and if I'm going to Kabini, I would like the confirmation for jeep safari. So I went ahead and booked Evolve Back even though they charged more than Serai. 
  • Evolve Back is a gem of a property. JLR and Serai stand nowhere close to it. From my first visit to JLR I can easily say, that it is not well maintained, food is average, stay is also average. Naturalists are good there in JLR, however Evolve Back is an ultimate luxury experience, with best of the amenities. This was my second property that I visited by Evolve Back after Coorg, and it was equally beautiful. 
  • In Evolve Back Kabini, the naturalists are not that great for advanced birders like me, but for beginner wildlife enthusiasts, they would do just fine. 
  • I took 3 Jeep safaris this time and 1 Boat Safari. 
I will list down the mammal sightings first, followed by the bird sightings. 

Tigress

She was guarding her 2 cubs which were inside the bush

Finally one of the cubs came out

The second cub was more shy 

Wild Dog - Dhole

Wild Dog - Dhole

Wild Dog - Dhole

Indian Gaur Male and Female

Elephant Male

Sambar Deer

Spotted Deer

Ruddy Mongoose

Stripe-necked Mongoose

Indian Grey Mongoose

Monitor Lizard

Monitor Lizard

Turtle

Wild Boar
Although Kabini is not in Western Ghats, however because of its proximity to Western Ghats, you could find a few species in Kabini that are essentially endemic to Western Ghats. For eg., the beautiful Malabar Giant Squirrel. 
 
Malabar Giant Squirrel

Malabar Giant Squirrel

Indian Grey Langur

Smooth-coated Otter

Smooth-coated Otter

Some bird sightings that I could manage. 

Small Pratincole

Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Male

Common Greenshank

Pied Bushchat

Crested Serpent Eagle

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Black-headed Cuckooshrike Male

Common Hoopoe

Green Imperial Pigeon

Crested Hawk Eagle

Great Cormorant

Grey-headed Fish Eagle

Red-naped Ibis

Asian Openbill

Purple Heron

Darter

Great Egret

Grey Heron

Intermediate Egret

Lesser Goldenback

At the end it was a decent trip with some wonderful sightings of wildlife, combine that with the luxurious stay at Evolve Back, and you finish a near perfect vacation. Why do I call it near perfect? Because I got a little disappointed with the naturalists in Evolve Back Kabini. When I was checking out, a senior naturalist nicknamed Shyam (the one who keeps pushing his insta ID to all guests) told me that next time when i come, he will help me take a walk tot he nearby village where i can spot much better bird life. Apparently, he claimed he was writing a book on birdlife in Kabini. I was so shocked and disappointed to hear that, as he chose the last minute to tell me about that. I stayed there for 4 nights and 5 days and yet he never approached me with that offer, until the time of my checkout. This shows that the man was all about talks and no action. If he was really concerned to make my stay more enhanced, he should have told me this on day 1, when they all could see that I was roaming around in the property with my binocular and camera for all those 5 days. This is where I believe, Evolve Back Kabini has better naturalists, who actually help you out if they see you birding in their property. 
Any which ways, besides this one incident, everything else was absolutely perfect and the vacation was really memorable. 
One must enjoy the dinner packages that they have, like Cruise dinner and Dinner by the Kabini, both are extremely beautiful. Some guests are lucky to have an amazing wildlife sighting even in the boat safari, but jeep safari is always the best. 


TRIP 1: May 2016 

After an almost perfect wildlife trip in Bandipur, we headed to Nagarhole. On the banks of river Kabini,Jungle Lodges and Resort was a treat. We came here with the least expectation about wildlife sighting - only to realize by end of the trip that it became one of the most memorable.

The resort was undoubtedly serene and relaxing. We only had one night stay here which included only one jeep safari, little we knew that one jeep safari will become the experience of a lifetime. It was absolute wallpaper stuff. For any wildlife enthusiast, it would take years and scores of safaris to get to see the moments that I saw this time around - Outright Breathtaking.

I might have to write a separate post on my experience to spot the Tiger from a distance of 15 feet, that moment was incredible and it deserves its space. For now, enjoy the pics below.


We spotted it sitting near a bush - in that hot afternoon

But then it decided something else

And it started walking

Crossed the road - right in front of our jeep

Started going towards a small water body

Kept walking

Far inside the jungle

finally found its own natural jacuzi

We thought it got aware about our presence

But she enjoyed the pool like anything

Posed for us from every possible angle

Started yawning and the big grunt can be heard from miles away

Time out!

15 minutes was all we got

End of show!

Elephant sighting with calf




Common Hawk Cuckoo

Black-hooded Oriole

Orange-headed Thrush

Little Cormorant

Darter

Brahminy Kite

Black-crowned Night Heron

Wooly-necked Stork

Wooly-necked Stork

Jungle Crow

Coppersmith Barbet

Crocodile

Crocodile

White Hibiscus


15 comments:

  1. Sumeet these are just AWESOME. LOVED each and every picture.. It's a treat for our eyes to see them. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Yes indeed, I was super lucky to spot these. Couldn't sleep that night with the excitement!

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  2. Sumeet - I can imagine what a wonderful experience it would have been. Wish I too was there...

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    1. Undoubtedly, it was like a dream - still feels like it.

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  3. Awsome pics Sumeet. Seeing such pics make me feel so much unexplored or lesser explored beauty lies in our country. Keep exploring, clicking and sharing!:)

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    1. Hey Ankush, thanks a lot! Even I feel there is so much to see and there is so little time.

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  4. Excellent bhaiya!!! Its so great that you take time to visit nature.. Meet such wonderful animals click pictures and share your experiences! Its a great effort and always look forward to your email :)

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    1. Hey Maggie! Thanks a lot. How's life otherwise - how are the tigers of London doing?

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  5. So beautiful pictures and great stuff thank you for sharing us.

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  6. Dear Sumit
    Went through each of your trip reports since 2006. Chanced upon your blog while searching for Rann of Kutch. I was surprised to find the similarities between you and me but for the age. I am in my mid fifties, birder and love long drives. I have been all over Rajasthan from Jamnagar twice but missed Ajmer. When I came to Kolkata I was told Ajmer requires a bulawa. So drove from Kolkata to Bikaner with Allhabad, Agra, Ajmer, Bikaner, Sikar, Jaipur, Kanpur, Gaya as stopovers.
    Went to Bhutan twice from Kolkata by road.These are the major ones.
    Due to my age and work pressure ( I work on saturdays also) unable to make many trips but planning for post retirement all India tour which is 3 years away but keep gathering every bit of info.
    I can't agree more with the description page of birder page of yours. Every point is true.
    I am a fanatic although the hobby is only 2 years old.
    Unfortunately there is no site which give road conditions in this country to plan a road trip. So whatever inputs come in is beneficial.
    Thanks a lot. Keep posting so that people with identical mindset can take advantage of the valuable inputs.
    Regards
    Soumya Choudhury

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    1. Dear Soumya,
      I can only say, "You made my day today". More so because it is my birthday today and it has been an immense pleasure to read what you have written.
      I always keep thinking that i may not be able to continue my passion for very long. Since it is both time consuming and it takes a lot of effort as well for both birding and driving. But your words have given me a big boost of motivation that i can still manage my passion after my retirement as well.
      Thanks for the encouraging words - it was a pleasure to receive it from you today.

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    2. Many belated happy returns of the day. I have started my blog after seeing your effort : https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8616306916530462385#editor/target=post;postID=3806947280524275410

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    3. Wow, great to hear that, I will check it out. Thanks.

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  7. Very nice post about your experience in Nagarhole. Thanks for sharing about this place. This is one of the best places for the best weekend. Love to visit this place during my weekend. If anyone wants to explore the same, then book bus tickets in bus ticket booking portal to enjoy the trip.

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