The Indian safari model prohibits the entry of private vehicles into national game parks. Even highways cutting through the large parks are sealed from 6pm to 6am. While we spied several vehicles piled up at the barricades across the main road through Nagarhole National Park well past six, and are certain that a few of the drivers huddled around the rangers trying to buy their way across did get through, it was heartening to note that the rules are enforced to a large extent.
Morning and evening safaris are conducted on a set number of government vehicles staggered across several zones. The vehicles – allotted randomly to lodges depending on the number of people – sometimes arrive late, shaving off a precious quarter to half an hour from the three hour safaris, and resulting in a mad dash to hunt down big cats and elephants. Which is a pity. For the adage of the journey being the destination holds good as much for safaris as for any other kind of travel.
On our second visit to Kabini, we were acutely aware of what we were missing. Our day long safaris in Africa had honed our understanding and appreciation of the jungle landscape. And having sighted our first tiger on our first game drive of the trip, we were relaxed enough to take in the beauty of our surroundings. That more tigers crossed our paths over ensuing game drives was an exhilarating bonus.
The Urge To Wander 
Wonderful Pictures. thorough writing.. Loved it..
You captured glowing warm light beautifully. I love all the critters but your landscapes are just as wonderful. Are you ready for Thursday?
Not quite, but will get something up right away. R had to undergo a minor surgical procedure and I have been on hospital duty. Back home and all fine now 🙂 Had to rush to B’lore for a day in between all this because son-in-law’s dad was seriously ill!
Oh dear 😦 Shall we postpone it? It’s really not a problem to put it off Madhu.
No, Paula. That will not be fair to your readers who might have posts planned. I’ll have something ready for you by tomorrow.
mmm peaceful
Simply gorgeous, Madhu. As usual. Coming here always means uplifted spirits!
A great collection of postcards 🙂
What beautiful sights.
Beautiful shots Madhu, magnificent light!
Soothing scenes, Madhu, I can only imagine the pleasure of being there in person. 🙂
Nice shot of the crested serpent eagle. The lake-side photos look lovely. Are they all taken next to the reservoir?
Beautiful postcards Madhu – I especially like the palette of colours that runs through them.
These are some fascinating shots Madhu ~ the first two really being quite surreal with the lighting ~ beautiful work!
What a gorgeous place, Madhu. I’m glad that the government is working hard to preserve those areas, even if it makes it inconvenient at times for drivers.
Beautiful, beautiful, beeeauuuutiful captures!
nice light and cool dry look 🙂
Wonderfully evocative photos, Madhu 🙂
Reblogged this on taniaswordplay.
“. And having sighted our first tiger on our first game drive of the trip, we were relaxed enough to take in the beauty of our surroundings. That more tigers crossed our paths over ensuing game drives was an exhilarating bonus.”
You just described my best case scenario for any dream during any point in my life. Must have been a beautiful feeling. I’d imagine that I would ball uncontrollably until I make things weird and awkward for everyone. Psssst I still haven’t seen a cat in the wild.
Another great post, madhu!
That was a treat! Thank you for posting those.
Beautiful pictures Madhu…
will be going there next week….almost after 5 years…:-)
Lot more bg cats on the move right now Sriram. I can’t wait to see the stunning images you will surely be returning with. Have fun 🙂
Hope I get to see them😃thank you madhu
Gorgeous captures from Kabini.
Thank you Niranjan. Were able to spot big cats as well?
Wonderful postcards, great to know that the wildlife in India is looked after this way.
Where exactly is Kabini? Enlighten a pakistani here .. 🙂
Welcome Ibrahim! And thank you very much.
We could look after our wildlife better, but we have come a long way 🙂 Kabini is in my home state of Karnataka in the South. Accessible from Bangalore and Mysore by road. Hope you can visit someday….visa Gods willing 😉
Thanks, yeah hopefully .. 🙂
This is indeed nostalgic. I have been there and stayed at Orange County, and it is lovely experience and yes, the boat ride on the river dividing both the forest in the evening with the sunset is beautiful…you can spot the elephants and dears and many more on both side of the river bank. Wonderful site to witness…
Loved the way you have captured in your lens.
I skipped the boat ride for another game drive Nihar. Hubby went with our friend though and enjoyed it.
You should have gone through, it was lovely experience, yes you must heard from your hubby…Orange County Coorg has a different theme.
Beautiful Madhu!
Thank you! Your park shots were amazing!
Those photos are absolutely amazing; so atmospheric.
Thank you Lee.
Beautiful postcards, Madhu! Love that last one, especially 😀
Me too. Thanks Sue.
Now this appears to be a wonderful way to spend the day!
It is Frank. I envy some of our friends who own coffee estates on the periphery!
The landscape is enough, never mind the wildlife 🙂
Have to confess I went for the tigers Gilly! 🙂 But I did wish we could spend longer driving through the beautiful landscape. The vehicles aren’t as comfortable as the African ones though. But at a miniscule fraction of the price, they do just fine 🙂
Beautiful pictures of this wild nature
Thank you Pat. It was beautiful inside the jungle.
Beautifully captured…
Thanks Sally. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
You show us some truly beautiful postcards, Madhu! How many have you kept to yourself – 350? 🙂 500 🙂
He he,a lot fewer this time Dina! I am consciously trying to minimise clutter in my gadgets as much as around my house 😀 Appreciate your stopping by.
Beautiful Madhu. Kabini seems to be an exciting forest sanctuary.
Especially with al those tigers on the move Dilip 🙂
great snaps! thanks.
Thank you for reading Raghu. Have a great day!
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
Wow! Such pretty landscapes! 😊 loved the photo post!
Glad you did. Thank you Divsi 🙂
The essence of the place has been well captured!
Awesome pictures…thanks for sharing Madhu 🙂
Thanks Sabina. Next time you are in India, we’ll all go together 🙂
One of your best series of photographs Madhu – simply stunning scenes that words can’t match. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful adventure.
Most welcome Mary. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
Picturesque…the images remind me of autumn, I suppose it’s the hues of brown and yellow. Kabini is located in which part of India?
Karnataka. Its about five hours by road from Bangalore. Am guessing the colouirs change dramatically after the monsoons.
Gorgeous postcards from Kabini, Madhu. I see that you also have the beautiful Coral tree in India. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia. I believe they are two different species. We do have an Indian Coral tree. But this is called the Flame of the Forest. Different generic names as well.
Lovely name for it. 🙂
Lovely postcards, Madhu. Quiet solitude, animal prints in the sand and sun through the trees capture the moment of your jungle landscape. Like you said, early sightings allowed you to relax for the rest of the experience.
Thanks Lynne. Yes, the early sighting helped. We particularly loved the stillness of the early morning drives.
Hey…I missed visiting Kabini a few years back – seeing this, I regret it. Anyhow, next time, fingers crossed 😉
Hope you do. Our friend wants us to go again this month, but I think I have had an overdose of safaris for now 🙂
Beautiful! A wild is always enjoyable!
It sure is. Thank you for stopping by to comment.
Alluring postcards …. Kabini is on my list now.
Good! I think it is grossly underrated.
Well compiled my friend Madhu
Thank you very much Ashwin.
I wish me too would tag like you ..gungho
Reblogged this on anetrabyle and commented:
Good one
Oh, Madhu, gorgeous postcards!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Happy Tuesday, my dear! 🙂
Thank you dear Marina. To you too 🙂