KAAV Safari Lodge, Kabini

Karnataka, India

Wildlife

Wild at heart, untamed luxury in the Nilgiri Biosphere.

Set along the edge of Karnataka where she flows down from the Wayanad hills and pools into a vast, shimmering reservoir, Kabini feels both wild and alive. Around here were once the hunting grounds of Mysore’s kings, now part of the Nagarhole National Park and the greater Nilgiri Biosphere—a stretch of forest where elephants gather in great herds, tigers move like shadows, and bird calls echo through wide tree canopies. The terrain shifts from thick forest to open meadows and sunlit riverbanks, each turn offering the unexpected. And though it feels far from the world, Kabini is surprisingly close—just about 80 km from Mysore and a four-to-five-hour drive from Bangalore.

Hugging the relenting boundary of the national park is KAAV Safari Lodge. KAAV takes its name from the Malayalam word for ‘sacred forest.’ Spread across four acres, the land is raw and scattered with forest litter, termite mounds, and unseen animal trails. It’s alive with birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, many of which you’ll encounter on the lodge’s guided ‘Tiny Safari.’ From the moment you step in through the gates, the wild takes over. Even the entrance—a circular arch woven from dried lantana—feels like a quiet gesture of welcome, especially under a lit night sky.

Operational Period

Open throughout the Year

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Bar

For Kids

Pool

Credit Cards

Doctor

Restaurant

Laundry

Connectivity

What you would love

Wildlife lovers, birders and nature enthusiasts travelling solo, with families or in small groups. KAAV is for those who seek a jungle adventure. Photographers and those with no other agenda than to experience the forest, especially those who love the wild - big, small or tiny.

The Gallery

Your Stay at KAAV Safari Lodge, Kabini, Karnataka

The stay at KAAV has its own quiet rhythm. The rooms are spacious, lit and open —each looking out to the Kabini horizon, with large sit-out decks that make it easy to pause and take in the forest. Birds, insects, moths and other small mammals can enliven your day, all you need is a pair of binoculars and curiosity. The wild world unravels right around you. The four rooms share a central lounge and coffee station; with stairs leading upto a rooftop viewing deck, the perfect spot to watch the many moods of the jungle. Not far away the tents sit closer to the wilderness and offer glamping at its finest. A little closer to the forest —canvas walls, natural light, and bathtubs under the forest light. And for those looking for something more private, the Kariya (Pool Villa) offers enough room to spread out—ideal for couples seeking privacy or small families to be together.

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ROOMS & GUESTS

Superior Room

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Luxury Tent

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Luxury Pool Villa

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Perfectly RARE

KAAV is an owner-run wildlife lodge where sustainability shapes every detail. Locally sourced food, minimal waste, biogas-powered cooking, and a team drawn mostly from nearby communities create a earthy, thoughtful experience. Beyond safaris, guests are invited to slow down and connect with the land and its people. Through the KAAV Foundation, the lodge supports conservation and helps protect the ecosystem it calls home.

Destination

Set along Karnataka's edge where waters from the Wayanad hills flow into Kabini's vast reservoir, this region is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Once, the hunting grounds of Mysore's kings, it is now a part of Nagarhole National Park. Just 80km from Mysore and four to five hours from Bangalore, Kabini is well-accessible for a well-deserved getaway in nature.

Nagarhole is derived from local words—Naga meaning serpent and Hole meaning stream—describing the winding streams inside the park. Kabini and Nagarhole are closely linked regions of a singular forest in Karnataka, India. Nagarhole National Park (also called Rajiv Gandhi National Park) is a protected forest, and Kabini is its southeastern region alongside the Kabini River. Both are famous for high-density tiger and leopard populations, Asian elephants, often seen from boat or jeep safaris. Kabini features a unique river-and-backwater micro-habitat that attracts large herds of animals during the dry summer months when water levels receed from the shore.

Design & Concept

KAAV is an intimate, design-forward lodge with just a handful of rooms and luxury tents, planned at a scale that protects privacy and keeps the built footprint light. Architecture is contemporary but intentionally restrained—clean lines, minimal design and large open windows that keep views of the forest at the center of the experience. Interiors follow a modern, minimalist language yet stay grounded to its space in the forest through natural textures, muted palettes, and an easy indoor–outdoor flow that keeps you aware of light, night, weather, and wildlife activity. Materials and detailing are chosen for an artsy reminder of nature, low impact and durability, reflecting KAAV’s broader sustainability ethos.

Hosts

KAAV Safari Lodge is the vision by two close friends, Tony Joseph and Sanjay Pothen, who built it out of a shared love for nature, design, and quiet, meaningful experiences. Tony is one of India’s leading architects, known for creating some of the country’s most iconic hospitality spaces. For him, KAAV was a personal project—his first small-scale lodge, designed with care and restraint, where every detail was shaped by the forest around it. Sanjay comes from a long line of planters and manages his family’s agricultural estates in Kerala and Karnataka. Over the years, he has shifted away from conventional farming to focus on polyculture. He also runs Purple Patch Farms, a hydroponic venture that grows strawberries and leafy greens with minimal impact on the environmental. When Tony and Sanjay came across a simple riverside guest house on the edge of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, once run by Mr. Tiger Ramesh, they saw an opportunity to create something personal. Today, KAAV remains intentionally small for low-impact, with the founder-owners closely involved in every part of the experience.

Facilities

Amenities include a bright, welcoming common lounge, perfect for relaxing or connecting with fellow guests. A raised viewing deck offers uninterrupted views of the forest canopy, ideal for quiet birdwatching and those surprises one expects when you are in the forest - a leopard beckoning her cubs or a tiger marking his territory. The partly open to sky veranda with its open kitchen and attached outdoor dining, overlooks huge banyan trees perfect for alfresco meals, with the pool glinting an invitation. The infinity pool is up a few steps with deck chairs promising tranquillity under the trees. The kitchen at KAAV serves farm fresh seasonal pan-indian, global and regional dishes including comforting favourites. On request, barbecue and camp evenings surrounded by trees add warmth, flavour, and a touch of the wild.

Dining

Dining at KAAV is unhurried and personal, with meals served in inviting corners across the property—by the pool, along the veranda, under dense tree canopies, or occasionally by the riverside. The menu celebrates local and regional flavors, prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients—many sourced from Sanjay’s own plantations and farms. Alongside this, the kitchen offers a thoughtful selection of continental-inspired dishes, including grills, soups, noodles, and pastas. While grounded in regional tradition, the dining experience is flexible and warm—if there’s something you’re in the mood for, the chef is always happy to make it just for you.

JEEP SAFARI

BOATING

CORACLE RIDE

KAYAKING

CYCLING

VILLAGE WALK

TREKKING

WATERFRONT PICNICS

NATURE WALKS WITH NATURALIST

Explore Around

Nagarhole National Park

This region is Karnataka's wildlife destination—and the main reason travellers from around the world come here. A UNESCO-listed Tiger Reserve, Nagarhole is home to elephants, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, Malabar giant squirrels, and over 300 species of birds.

Brahmagiri Hills

Located near the Kerala border, Brahmagiri offers panoramic views and a cooler, elevated landscape that contrasts with the forests of Kabini. It's a great option for nature lovers and trekkers, though access is seasonal and closed during the monsoons. On clear days, the drive itself is scenic and quiet, with chances to spot wildlife along the way.

Mysore

Just under two hours from Kabini, Mysore offers a dose of culture, architecture, and history. Highlights include the iconic Mysore Palace, the lively Devaraja Market, Chamundi Hill, and the peaceful Brindavan Gardens. It’s ideal for a full-day trip if you’re looking to combine your nature stay exploring Mysore’s heritage, markets and cuisine.