paying up front at Kabini River Lodge

mhhelle

I inquired about a reservation at Kabini River Lodge through their website:

http://www.junglelodges.com/

They sent me back an email saying that they do have openings but if I want to reserve one, I need to pay by credit card /in person/ or via a bank transfer for the entire amount. I've never been to India, but this seems suspicious to me. Do I need to be concerned or am I just worrying too much?

mhhelle

BTW, paying by credit card in person is not an option since I won't be in India until early January.

Karma Queen

i've been to kabini, and although it is quite expensive, and you have to pay up front, i thought it was worth every penny! stay in a tent if you can. o and the food there is fantastic

Apana

Yes, you have to pay up front. No problems with that; just remember that you may not get a refund if you cancel your reservation. It depends on how busy they are and every place is fully booked until the end of the first week of January.

Apana

citybell

Suggest you to pay for only one night or two and then you can extend after going there. This way you can minimise heavy upfront.

Try to check their cancellation clause or check if you can change your date incase of unforseen circumstances.
Normally Dec and Jan are the tourist season in India.

Jorge Reverter

Hi Mhhelle,

I have been two days, two weeks ago in Kali River Lodge instead of staying in Kabini..., both belongs to the Tourism Department of Karnataka and are serious and very well organized. You can give them your credit card number without doubts. The diference in price between both lodges is very important
(50 Us dol per person/100 Us dol per person) and in Kali..., you have the same activities (rafting etc) than in Kabini..., and the rooms as well as the tents and the food are good. Obviously in Kali River Lodge you are not in the resort of the former Maharahja of Mysore.

StephanieHudson

Hi, re Kabini. No problem with paying up front - BUT, I thought it was WAY too expensive. We paid $125 per night each (so $250US to share) and the room was OK - like OK for 500 rupees, definitely not OK for $250 US!!

The jeep rides were great, but the boat ride we did was rather unsafe - lots of people in boat, starts to storm and rain, and we don't turn around. Quite uncomfortable!

There is another lodge in the area - what I was told is that the other lodge is not a government lodge, which means that they will take you out at night to see wildlife (with lights) - which is great to see wildlife, but illegal!

Stephanie