"A Kuruba village, rebuilt at the water's edge"
Evolve Back built this one as a village. The plan follows a hadi, the settlement pattern of the Kadu Kuruba, the forest people of this part of Karnataka, and the craft in it is theirs. The result is a lodge that looks like nowhere else in Indian wildlife.
The Kabini river runs along two sides. Nagarhole is across the water. Safaris here run on the government's own system, in a morning slot and an evening one, which is how Karnataka does it and is not something any lodge can vary.
Three grades, all of them huts rather than rooms. The Safari Hut takes its colours from the landscape outside it. The Pool Hut adds a private pool and is the one the lodge describes as an ode to privacy. Above both sits the Pool Reserve, about which Evolve Back say only: "There is luxury and then there is the Pool Reserve. Period."
There is an Ayurveda village on site, an infinity pool, a family pool, a reading lounge and a bar. Wi-Fi is complimentary. Drivers get their own accommodation and meals, which matters if you are arriving from Bangalore or Mysore by car.
Evolve Back run four resorts in India. This is the wildlife one. The others are a coffee estate at Coorg, a palace at Hampi, and a fort at Mandu in Madhya Pradesh opening in 2027.
Some facilities and experiences may be chargeable.
Kabini, Karnataka, with the river on two sides of the lodge. Evolve Back publish no distances; we confirm transfers when we quote.
Nagarhole safaris without giving up a pool of your own
Three grades of hut: Safari Hut, Pool Hut with its own pool, and the Pool Reserve above both
The top grade. Evolve Back describe it only as: there is luxury, and then there is the Pool Reserve.
A hut on the Kuruba pattern with a private pool, which the lodge calls its ode to privacy.
A hut that takes its colours and textures from the landscape around it.
New A ten room lodge on the fringes of Nagarhole at Kabini, with signature rooms, tents and a pool villa. Safaris, treks and river kayaking go out for tiger, elephant and leopard country.
Rates on request, usually back within the hour
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