EVOLVE BACK, KABINI

Orange County resort is located on the banks of Kabini Reservoir, about 220 kms from bangalore (roughly about 6-7hrs drive). The last 15 kms of the drive make you nervous if you are really headed to the right 'resort' having paid a ton of money for this vacation. The moment you enter the resort, the warmth of the greeting by the EVOLVE BACK, KABINI staff alleviates all your fear. With a typical Indian hospitality, you will be greeted with Sindhoor on the forehead and local musical instruments accompanying the welcome gesture. The staff understood the fact that it was pretty late for lunch and hence directly took us to the main restaurant even before we could be checked-in. Warm facial towels and a cool sugarcane juice were preceded by the lunch. Again at the restaurant, very warm greeting of hand-folded 'namashkara' were always accompanied by non-plastic smiles. The staff were quite helpful and courteous. We were accompanied to our cottage, and wow, this was a really cool place! All cottages were quite far away from others, which was completely private and this is part I liked the most. Jacuzzi, while are private and enclosed for all the rooms, our sit-out or verandah was also private for our room. The staff explained all the amenities inside the 'room', which has a living room, sit-out with very comfortable sun-bathing chairs, enclosed but spacious Jacuzzi right next to the bathroom, a huge bedroom with sufficient cupboards and a nice well-kept bathroom. The interiors of the room will definitely get anyone's attention almost instantaneously. Great pain has been taken to ensure the feel of all the furniture is similar to have a common 'theme' within the cottage. The light fixtures, hangers, cupboards and side-tables to name a few while unique in their respective designs, are common in providing a rustic but elegant atmosphere. The exterior walls are truly painted in a typical mud colour and have thatched roofs. Despite all its simplistic looks, the huts have all modern amenities inside including a refrigerator, water purifier, French-press coffee maker, enclosed air conditioner & electronic safety vault. The king-sized bed makes you feel more comfortable and cozy, and can be very inviting particularly after a very long-drive and a heavy lunch. In terms of activities, there is a kids' pool with a slide in it and also have facilities for carrom, chess & TT. Ludo, snake and ladder and other games artistically done on top of wooden tables will be something young kids would love to play. Reading lounge with complimentary cappuccino close to the river Kabini is another activity that can be enjoyed in the evenings. Elephant Meenakshi is treat to the kids and will not mind carrying them for a ride near alongside the river. In the mornings, she is given bath and food, this is again an interaction kids will immensely enjoy. Jeep & boat safaris are available for the wild life enthusiasts or nature photographers both in mornings and in the afternoons. Sightings are likely to be better in the boat in the afternoons, since wild animals will come to drink water, it seems. Boat safari is about 2.5 hours, while the Jeep safari takes almost 4 hours. There is a tribal village visit that you can go on bicycle. Alternate days in the evenings, either there is a tribal dance or wild-life movie is played in the lounge. Watching sunset while sipping coffee or having the evening snacks is one of the most precious moments in Orange County, Kabini. The sun turns pinkish-orange and the entire sky turns into a riot of colours when there are no clouds. Avid photographers can keeping clicking pictures and still feel few moments were left out. Dinners can be arranged in the barbeque restaurant as well but requires reservation and prior notice. Hotel staff were courteous enough to accommodate us, when we were merely enquiring about it. Later when we had to leave a little early, since one of us were a little sick (not due to the food), multiple staff immediately called us at the room and enquired about the food. Typical of Orange County, is the tranquility of the location and the service provided by them. The location was so calm that almost every time you took a stroll within the campus, you hear different kinds of birds chirp and nothing else. The earthen-lantern lit pathways makes you wonder, if you are really inside a village or a resort. Most of the staff were not just trying to provide what was asked for but were eagerly observing to determine what we might be looking for. That's a big differentiator. However, there were still some holes. The table covers could have been much more clean, and staff manning the tables in the restaurant although were being very courteous should be more watchful of the guest needs. Food was definitely better than average but oil can be reduced significantly. Hammocks around the huts would be a great value addition. Overall, a great place to relax and enjoy. Nagarhole National Park in the vicinity is big bonus. Definitely, like its other resort in Coorg, the package is a tad bit pricier. Given the service provided and luxury of rooms, one would not mind too much. I would definitely recommend to my friends, if asked for a recommendation.

Nice private sit out area, ample space inside and outside, big bathroom with two showers, two washbasins and a bath tub. Main highlight was the pool with Jacuzzi in the backyard, though not temperature controlled, it was very nice. They have a RO filter in the hut, so you get purified water instead of bottled water, which I liked. You also get a mini-fridge, fruit basket, electric kettle etc. Insects, snails, lizards, sparrows are part of the deal. One tennis table, couple of carom boards. Amenities were lean for rainy evenings with leaky roofs but well maintained. Buffet food in honeycomb restaurant was OK-OK, few items were not good and continental items were OK for someone who is not used to it. Freshly made jilebis, paneer dishes, homemade preserves, few juices, rasam were spot on. Overall, a curated throwback to village setting with all comforts. I would rate, 5 out of 5 for the setting, 4 out of 5 for the overall experience and service but only 3.5 out of 5 for food and 3 out of 5 for VFM.

We had a good stay and received good hospitality. Cottages and sunrise sunset and river view was good. Nature experience was also good though it was not the right season to visit. When compared to the resorts around the same area this one was very expensive and we felt the prices were not reasonable. Most of the resorts offer free food and activities for a specific package chosen but here just the stay costed so much and everything else are charged. Also the activity plan was not part of the package neither arranged properly for those who arrive. In such a short 3 or 4 day stay it's disappointing if we could not get a proper activity planned for us and we miss out on something because of unavailability of some services.
Jacuzzi did not have hot water provision. Plug points were not working fine.

The location is beautiful but the last 25km commute is laden with super bad roads. Amazing food for north indians who want to try south indian food, for south indians it's more like staple food. The kuruba grill gives a couture experience and is a must try. The pool chairs in the rooms are quite dirty it would be better if they could use a cover on it which can be changed for every customer, other than that the hygiene and safety standards are on point. All in all its a beautiful place with lush greenery, i guess the best time to enjoy the resort would be oct to feb although end of feb you see lot of dry brown leaves but you can spot more animals during this time.

The most unforgettable thing about Evolve Back, Kabini is the hospitality. Their hospitality starts way before your arrival with regular calls to direct you to their blissful property that is situated bang on the shores of the Kabini river the food and the clean air there made me a new person. My cottage had a clean private pool that I enjoyed very much the EVOLVE BACK, KABINI is generous in giving a lot of activities as complimentary such as a boat ride and a TV show on the adjacent forest. If you find yourself in the Kabini area, make sure to stay at the Kabini Evolve Back.

Excellent EVOLVE BACK, KABINI with great facilities and great hospitality how wen are not in favor that you need to pay extra for your kid. Mine is a 3 member family and fit in well in a king bed. Secondly MMT says kid below 12 is free. While the resort says it is 5. Very contradicting. Do not opt for a la carte at their restaurant opt for buffet. I was thinking as I pay more I will get to choose and eat the best. The buffet has no complaints since my first meal for disaster the management gave me a waive off which I really appreciate.

At first we are loyal guests of orange county resorts. We have been to evolve back coorg and loved the stay and experience. Never been to kabini. The first thing we experienced in kabini is “ love at first sight”. Excellent service by the employees ( particularly the food and room service ) awesome place in the middle of wild life is nothing but a blessing from nature to experience her beauty. This experience has made me to explore my wild life interest and learn more abt nature. Nothing else thank u

The property is ideally located on the banks of river kabini! the landscape is so picturesque. The staff are very courteous and go out of the way to make your stay pleasant. A special mention to the naturalists sarath ramesh, sharath abraham and vishnu. They have all the knowledge about the forests and the animal behaviour which is the most required when you are on a safari! their experience in tracking makes your safari very worthwhile. One of the best resorts to stay at kabini

Amazing and beautiful place. Great hospitality by satya and team. Refreshing and serene views. Light air. Calm mind.

Just wonderful. Great room with the Pool Reserve option. Fantastic bed and room facilities. Wonderful variety of food options through the day. Amazing Safari through the jungle. Tremendously nice and knowledgeable staff. All in all… a dream stay. Loved it. Will return in the Summer when the entire topography changes and the safari gets even more exciting!

The stay was amazing. Everything about the place - service, helpfulness of staff, location, etc were top class. The rooms were clean, and the room service was twice a day, and they made sure to do a thorough job.

Staff were lovely and always smiling and wishing good morning food was great and the huts were such a pleasure to live in.

Location is good, food is ok, s

The Kabini river in backyard of resort makes it so very nature-friendly with sighting of many different birds, besides the private pool in the room, there is family pool as well as infinite pool. Good place to relax & regroup with family/extended family. Coracle ride & bull cart ride was a thrilling experience.

The experience at the EVOLVE BACK, KABINI was worth the money & hype! They have an excellent location, attentive staff, and some practices which were delightful - for e.g., they cleaned our car while it was in their parking lot - it was a good gesture. Another thing I liked was the fact that there were no hidden costs - no additional charges for mini bar, additional cup of tea, bottle of water, etc etc!

Stay was very good. Very friendly, prompt and efficient staff and service. Love the location of the place. Was a very peaceful and rejuvenating stay.

Nature abounds all Around. Planned jungle right inside the resort. Great naturalist team.

Nice they treat next level ❤️ we will come agin soon

Amazing location with wonderful people of Orange County. Had a gala time be it relaxing or enjoying the various activities. Loved interacting with the Orange County people. Will keep on coming back. Thanks for a joyful time.

Great stay great sight great food and standards of hygiene