Call Of The Kabini

On the trail of the river—and a black panther—near the Kuruba Safari Lodge in Karnataka

- Kalyani Prasher

Last summer, I learnt of the buzz around sightings of a black panther in Kabini, Karnataka. In reality, the black panther is any big cat (in this case, a leopard) with a melanistic gene, that gives it a dark colour. I saw several fantastic photos of the lithe, ink-black cat, peering out of frames with a quiet air of nobility. Its home—the region of Kabini, named after the river—is located right between Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks. I had put it on my wish list immediately, but it was only in March this year that I finally checked into the Kuruba Safari Lodge, located on the banks of the river.

Evolve Back’s Kuruba Safari Lodge is named after the local Kuruba people. Its location is its strongest pull: The stunning panorama of the Kabini cutting through the two forests can be seen about 20 steps away from the hotel’s living area. Nature’s drama unfolds all day long; there are orange and-yellow sunrises, sunsets pink and purple; clouds rolling in paint the blue skies with brushstrokes of grey and black. Watching the skies, the calm river and the thick forests in the distance is a satisfying holiday in itself.