On a recent visit to The Serai Kabini, I enjoyed the experience of a water safari that had quite a few thrills despite the fact that it was raining.
This is one of the tiger reserves that offers a water wildlife safari on boats run by the state government-run Jungle Lodges and Resorts. These safaris happen in the morning and afternoon, and what makes the river safari special is the varied sightings you can see.
The safari offers something different in each season. If you are here in the summer months (typically March to May) when the river recedes, you will see the largest congregation of Asian elephants on the banks of the river. The number of elephants easily runs into several hundreds, and it is a sight that is wonderful. If you look carefully, you will also see baby elephants jostling their way among their parents, a sight that is heartwarming as well. This is because the elephants come from Bandipur (Karnataka), Wayanad (Kerala), and Madhumalai (Tamil Nadu) in search of food and water, and the backwaters here are home to fresh grass that is perfect for these pachyderms.
The safari initially passes through agricultural land and then moves deep into the forest, where the stillness is only punctuated by the sound of waves and birdsong.
And while that felt like a full circle, the landscaped had changed too. A cloud of mist had settled on the greenery giving the forest an almost mystical look. And perhaps that is where the charm of this boat safari is in. It gives you an experience that you never knew you would cherish much after the trip ended.
Tips
- The boat safari can only be booked through a resort where you are staying. The Serai Kabini is a good option, as they also arrange transport to the Jungle Lodges where the safari starts.
- The safari takes between 2.5 and 3 hours, and it is a good idea to carry binoculars, camera, raincoats (in monsoons), and hats and sunscreen (in summer).
Read the full story that first appeared in The New Indian Express dated Sep 13, 2026 here:
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