RARE India has announced the inclusion of KAAV Safari Lodge, a boutique wildlife lodge right at the edge of Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, into its collection of boutique, owner-run lodges and experiences in the Indian subcontinent. Situated within the Greater Nilgiri Biosphere, KAAV offers Untamed Luxury – a thoughtful blend of refined comfort, ecological sensitivity, and personal hospitality.
“South has always been aspirational for me and the Nilgiri Biosphere is a stunning memory from previous trips,” said Shoba Rudra, Partner & Founder, RARE India. “To experience KAAV and include it as part of our community is truly special and a continuation towards wildlife lodges in Southern India. I couldn’t believe my eyes at the number of birds I saw just standing next to a mango tree ripe with fruit. Untamed Luxury is the vibe here and we invite wildlife lovers to experience Nagarhole and its wilderness from KAAV’s own forest.”
Founded by Sanjay, a planter and wildlife enthusiast, and Tony, an architect known for his contextual approach to design, KAAV Safari Lodge was envisioned as a forest retreat rooted in openness and a profound respect for the ecosystem. The result is a sanctuary where the rawness of the forest meets contemporary minimalism, where guests are invited to slow down and connect deeply with the land.
Managed by Rajesh and his team of naturalists, KAAV curates a diverse range of wilderness experiences-from guided birding trails, nature walks and insect spotting to twice-daily safaris in the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, where sightings of elephants, leopards, wild dogs, bison and an extraordinary variety of birds are possible. The Kabini River adds another dimension, with motorboat and coracle safaris drifting quietly between Nagarhole and Bandipur, occasionally offering glimpses of marsh crocodiles and even tigers. Guests can also explore the landscape by kayak, passing through riparian backwaters. Bicycles are available for those who prefer to explore the countryside on wheels, passing local farms and glimpses of village life along the way. For those staying longer, the Brahmagiri Hills trek is a rewarding experience, best attempted outside of the monsoon season.
KAAV derives its name from the Malayalam word ‘sacred forest’ and the lodge honours this ethos by keeping its footprint minimal. Spread over four acres, the land is alive with birds, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals – many of which reveal themselves on KAAV’s unique ‘Tiny Safari’. Even the entrance—a circle of woven dried lantana—offers a poetic introduction to what lies within. The Lodge features just a handful of rooms and luxury tents, planned to ensure privacy while maintaining a light, eco-sensitive footprint. Architecture is restrained and elegant, with muted palettes, wide glass panels and an indoor–outdoor rhythm that keeps guests attuned to the changes in light, weather and wildlife activity.
Dining at KAAV is as personal as its hosting, with meals served in carefully chosen nooks—by the pool under a canopy of trees, along the shaded verandas or by the riverbank under a starlit sky. Every meal is unhurried, seasonal, and crafted to complement the quiet rhythms of the forest.
KAAV is easily accessible, with the closest airport at Mysore, just 1.5 hours away, connected to major cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Kochi, Goa and Chennai. Mysore is also connected by Vande Bharat trains from Bengaluru and Chennai. The lodge is open year-round, and a minimum stay of three nights is recommended by RARE India, with a fourth night ideal for those wishing to add the Brahmagiri trek to their itinerary.
With its thoughtful design, intimate scale and deep reverence for the wild, KAAV Safari Lodge strengthens RARE India’s growing portfolio of boutique, sustainable properties across the subcontinent. The Lodge offers travellers a rare chance to experience the timeless rhythms of this incredibly biodiverse region in the western ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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