Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Serene and tranquil through the day yet exciting and stimulating at night; the Bison, a boutique tented camp, the first of its kind in India, offers luxury at the very of adventure. "The Bison" is situated at the confluence of the Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, on the shores of the exotic Kabini River in Karnataka (west of Mysore), which offers you the perfect wildlife adventure. It is the only resort in the area which directly overlooks the national park. Elephants and other wildlife are regularly spotted from the resort. The decor and ambiance of the camp recreates the adventurous decadence of a bygone era. Wooden floors, elegant linen, beautiful artifacts, old cabin trunks and other original antiques seek to enhance the rustic setting of the camp site. Each tent is lavishly furnished with double beds, writing and dressing tables, full length mirror and arm chairs. En-suite bathrooms with expansive showers are a virtual treat.
I spent 6D/5N at The Bison for a tiger safari trip. Have to say this was a wonderful experience for my first stay in India!
This secluded property is situated along a lake that provides beautiful sunsets each night.
I stayed in a private bush tent, which reminded me of my time in Africa on safari. Tents are VERY spacious and come with all the amenities you could want. Large rainfall shower, a full-length mirror, a separate seating area, a desk, a floor fan, and an air conditioning unit, which came very handy as I'm not used to humidity.
The staff was amazing. They're always helpful and very courteous! The food here was fantastic as well. Always buffet style, and you never go hungry! The lounge area and office/game room are beautifully decorated by photographic prints taken by the talented owner Shaaz.
The Backwater Sanctuary, which is also on-site, has beautiful horses, dogs, donkeys, and even camels.
It all comes together for a wonderful, relaxing stay in Kabini.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Bring bug spray for the evenings. Mosquitoes love bare skin!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I have stayed at The Bison twice now and each time our stay has been more special than the other. From the time you check in (which is always welcoming and smooth) till the time you check out (which has always left my heart wanting more) the entire experience with the Bison team is top notch!! On our first visit we had an issue with the placement of our tent due to noisy guests and the management made sure we were moved to a more private tent. The food has always been delicious and feels like a home cooked meal. Each and every staff member greets you with a warm smile everyday and are very helpful. The tents are similar to the luxury tents found on safari in Africa. We found them to be very clean and comfortable with a very cosy layout. We really appreciated some of the eco-sensitive policies put in place at the resort, for example the hot water boilers are only fired up twice a day for the guests to have hot showers. The location of the resort is wonderful, as it is on the bank of the Kabini river which gave us a great view of the river. Every afternoon we saw some raptors fishing right on the edge of the river. When we stayed at The Bison in the winter, when the water had receded a bit, the grassy bank had the horses, ponies and donkeys let loose for grazing. The resort also offered boat rides around the river (different from the boat safari which goes further downstream into the wildlife sanctuary) which we took a few times, once getting very lucky with a long sighting of a family of Otters. Other times we enjoyed viewing kingfishers, fishing eagles, cormorants, egrets in their natural habitat. The naturalist at the Bison, Vinod is very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area. He accompanied us on several safaris and his presence made it more enjoyable each time, he is a true asset to the Bison.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The location is beautiful, the tents are really good too. We stayed in the little bison tents for my birthday, and the space and experience were simply wonderful!
The staff, specially Vijay, were very attentive and made sure every little thing was taken care of. Everyone in the team is so well trained, it’s like a well oiled machine. Boat rides, coracle rides, meals at the personal lounge area, even a bubble bath in our outdoor bathroom was setup at exactly the pre arranged time!
My husband had requested for a birthday cake, and the team not only arranged for a cake but did the entire setup so beautifully, I was floored.. thanks to the team for making the day so special
One of the best parts is unlike a lot of hyper manicured resorts, there are areas kept natural for several rescue horses.. That says a lot about the owners and management.
Awesome place, highly recommend it
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Bison Resort, General Manager at The Bison
Responded 11 Sept 2022
Dear Mrs. Shetty, Thank you for choosing The Bison and for taking the time to write a review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay and the whole experience. Our resort aims to provide a truly unique experience and work hard to exceed your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back to our resort. Warm Regards, The Bison Team
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We booked only 1 night, because the reviews were mixed and I'm glad we did so. Positives: 1.common spaces like observation deck etc are beautifully done up and luxurious. 2.In house naturalists provide an excellent experience on the nature walks 3.Great books on wildlife and travel all of which add to the safari experience 4. property is very scenic, with a good access to the waterfront and good warm staff.
Negatives: 1. the meal times are incredibly late. 9/9.20 am for breakfast, 1.30pm and 8.30pm for lunch and dinner is a deal breaker for early risers. 2. The rooms look great and are done up well, but aren't very comfortable. there were nails poking out from the wooden floorboards that impaled me when barefoot. 3. Some common spaces, swings, poolside etc. are not maintained well.
overall, it wasn't worth the price. They could lower the room rates (by a lot) and charge for meals separately IMO
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Bison Resort, General Manager at The Bison
Responded 2 Sept 2022
Dear Poorva, Thank you for your feedback. Having gone through all the details mentioned we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during your holiday with us. We will look into all factors mentioned and make the necessary changes. Thank you once again for sharing your experience with us. Warm Regards, The Bison Team
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Terribly disappointed I came with lot of expectations paying so much. Climate is a big turn off without AC..cooler to save electricity doesn't serve the purpose. Felt very unsafe couldn't sleep in the night since i had to put my 3 children alone in the second tent . There is nobody at the reception and no contact number to get in touch if any untoward incident in the night. The so called manager is not interested in the job or he is paid less to do the job.He can be seen only during check in and check out. Boat ride /coracle ride cancelled due to a vehicle problem and he gives a night ride to see the bloody stars in the sky as if he is doing a big favour. Sofas have ants and cat fur and cleanliness is a problem. Safari 2300 here was booked for RS.460 directly from Kakanakote. Bush dinner setting was good but the food was served cold..utter waste of RS.500 per head. Horses camels are a big turn off in the forest setting. Terribly disappointed with overall experience. I don't recommend this place..
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Bison Resort in Kabini was truly memorable. The resort is nestled in a calm and beautiful setting right next to the tranquil River Kabini, offering an unparalleled connection to nature. Its 20-minute drive from the nearest town, making it an ideal getaway for those seeking peace and serenity.
The twin tents were the luxurious retreat we were after—spacious, well-appointed, and blending comfort with a touch of wilderness. The safaris to the nearby forest, held in the morning and afternoon, were a highlight of our trip. These excursions brought us closer to nature and offered us a chance to immerse ourselves in the region's natural beauty and wildlife.
While the food was not exactly to our liking as we’re not very much into Indian cuisine, the resort manager and chef went out of their way to prepare some continental dishes for us. If you prefer non-Indian food, it’s advisable to coordinate with the resort in advance to finalise your menu.
The nature walks were refreshing and gave us an intimate view of the area’s flora and fauna, while river boating added a delightful flavor to our stay.
Bison Resort is perfect for anyone looking to relax, reconnect with nature, and enjoy an off-the-grid luxury experience.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â A quick tip: There are two resorts with the same name in the area, so be sure to double-check...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
With fatigue setting in thanks to the lockdown, we finally mustered the courage to set out to Kabini on a 4D getaway. We stayed at the Luxurious Waterfront Tents at The Bison which gave us the perfect opportunity to unwind and getaway from the humdrum of the city life, what with the backwaters of the Kabini River making for the perfect backdrop. All protocols and safety measures were taken by the management and staff at all points during our stay and the property and tents are held to a very high standard of cleanliness and hygiene. Evenings spent around the bonfire while star gazing added to the serenity of the place. What particularly stood out was the warmth and hospitality extended by the management and staff, a special shout-out to Robin, Shan and Shashank who made for great conversationalists through the stay. It felt like we were catching up with old friends! :)
The highlight of our stay were the jungles safaris and we were in for a treat since we got to sight tigers on almost all the safaris we went on. No amount of words can do justice to seeing these magical creatures in their natural habitat. Add to that Shashank’s passion and knowledge on wildlife is just what you need to keep yourself engaged through the course of those safaris. All in all, if you are looking to drive down to Kabini, the Bison makes for the perfect getaway location and you will not be left disappointed! I know I’m definitely going to be visiting more often ! :)
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The place has the best view easily. I've been to the other resorts at kabini and the bison is situated at the best location. Lies very close to the heart of the jungle. You can sometimes find wildlife at your doorstep. Great place for birding, so keep your eyes and ears wide open. SERVICE: The service they provide is just too good makes you feel like you're at home. Everytime you enter the common areas there is someone to greet you with a smiling face,be it the manager/naturalists or even the staff members, they make you feel very comfortable and homely. Both Shashank and Vinod who are the managers and in house naturalists make sure that there is a lack of nothing. They are at your service 24/7. They are just one call away and will fulfill all your needs. Their knowledge about wildlife is truly amazing and use can sense their passion in the air. A Big Thank you to the bison and its team. You guys were amazing.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Bison Resort, General Manager at The Bison
Responded 25 May 2022
Dear Naidu, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are glad you had a good time and liked our lovely little rustic camp. It was lovely having you at camp. We would love for you to visit us again. Warm Regards, The Bison Team
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It was a wonderful stay with all amenities provided. The entire general area was spaciously laid out on decking with all kinds of benches and seating areas. Our "tent" was extremely luxurious, spacious and tastefully decorated. The nice and large shower was also a huge plus. The atmosphere was always pleasant and the staff was very friendly. We also made a lot of use of the lovely swimming pool with a distant view of elephants (you need binoculars for that). The food was also very good and varied. We said that we liked the fruit so much and immediately that evening we had a whole fruit salad on the table! You could easily book all safaris and the accommodation also offered a bird watching walk that was included in the stay. The guide managed to spot 38 different bird species!! The safaris were great too. With us the boat safari was the absolute highlight, where we saw as many as 80 elephants, many deer, otters, boars, bison, beautiful water birds and a crocodile. It was a great experience to admire all these animals up close! Had a really great time here. I would recommend it to everyone!
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Bison provides a unique glamping experience with a boutique resort type feel. We stayed in one of the five waterfront tents with a breathtaking view of the river with the national park as a backdrop. The tent style room was tastefully decorated with artifacts and antique style furniture along with a sit out to enjoy the view. The rest of the hotel comprises of a comfortable observatory, common sit out deck, lounge, dining space and infinity style pool. The simple buffet style meal was very tasty with a home cooked feel. A good variety of veg and non veg food was served. We were accompanied on our safaris by Vinod who is the resident naturalist at The Bison. Vinod had great knowledge about the forest and it's animals and provided us with many interesting facts about the same, making the experience more exciting ! The resort manager -Shashank also took us for a novel spider walk experience at night where we saw an amazing array of spiders and learnt about these fascinating creatures. All in all The Bison is an amazing place to stay at if you are coming for the safaris and Kabini as it provides the ultimate luxury camping experience.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Bison Resort, General Manager at The Bison
Responded 8 Feb 2022
Dear Rashna, Thank you your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time out to share your experience with us. It was a pleasure serving you. We hope you'll come and see us again soon! Warm Regards, The Bison team.
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Chennai (Madras), India26 contributions5 helpful votes
The best way to reach would be by train (Shatabdi Express) from Bangalore City station.
Reach there by lunch and have a pick up arranged by Th Bison or take a cab takes about a hour and a half tops!
I guess saw this question too late. Property is 200M off the excellent main road. Those 200M are gravel. Drive your car slowly and you reach. No issues at all.
Brighton, United Kingdom101 contributions30 helpful votes
"No AC, but 2 fans kept us cool. There's no fridge and they don't serve alcohol, so if you bring beers ask for a cooler box. WiFi in lounge only if that's important to you."
There are more places to choose from in the Nagarhole National Park area.
LOCATION
IndiaKarnatakaKodagu (Coorg)Nagarhole National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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