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Accommodation

The Serai

Nagarhole, India

Destinations

India

Accommodation

The Serai

Set within 70 acres of grounds on the southwestern side of the Nargahole National Park, The Serai sits on the banks of the Kabini river and offers an unbeatable spot for watching the vast herds of elephants that come here to drink and bathe.

The 20 private villas here reflect a quiet luxury, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a soft colour palette and dark wooden furniture. Each boasts a secluded terrace area, some of which overlook the serenity of the river, but all of which offer a wonderful spot for relaxing to the surrounding sounds of the jungle and under the starry skies.

An impressive restaurant caters for all guests, offering both international and regional cuisine with views of the Kabini river from every table. The wide range of facilities nestled in the grounds range from a palm-fringed outdoor pool to the Oma spa, where 5,000-year-old Indian holistic-healing approaches offer deeply relaxing and rejuvenating treatments.

What we love

We indulged in a private dining experience on the banks of the river, enjoying the crescendo of surrounding birdsong as the sun dipped slowly into the still waters of the Kabini
A unique boat safari or gentle cruise down the Kabini river in a traditional ‘coracle’ boat allows you to enjoy both the neighbouring Nargahole and Bandipur National Parks, spotting anything from grazing elephants to crocodiles along the banks
A guided walk through the verdant forest surrounding the property immerses you in the 300+ species of birds that call this place their home

Consider which season to visit in, during the wet season (from June to September) animals become harder to spot due to the density of the vegetation. However, the parks are at their most beautiful at this time of year, and the birdwatching is at its best Don’t expect jet-wash water pressure, the hotel places a strong focus on water management and conservation

Families are welcomed at the lodge, and rooms can be adjusted on request to accommodate children. The range of activities on offer at the resort, from bird trail walks to traditional coracle rides, makes it the perfect place from which to explore this beautiful region with your children

The safaris run by the lodge are minimally disruptive to the wildlife, and the welfare of the animals in the park is the top priority. Rainwater harvesting systems are in place to reduce water consumption for non-potable purposes. Solar panels make up a large part of the energy needed for the resort. The ingredients predominantly featured in the restaurant meals are locally sourced and organic. Sustainable tourism is embraced by the hotel, and guests are actively encouraged to engage with the heritage of the area and immerse themselves in the culture of the nearby villages.

The Nargahole National Park is bordered by both the Bandipur National Park and Wayanad Wild Life Sanctuary, with all three forming the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest reserves in India. The lodge is located just outside of the park on the riverside, giving it the prime location for vehicle safaris, traditional boat rides, nature walks and even bullock cart rides. The nearest domestic airport is in Mysore, which is 75 km from the lodge.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.

Roy Wood (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.

Alie C (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace

Daisy Stanton (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!

Andrew S (February 2026) Read the whole review here Trip Advisor

Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North Eat India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.

Martin Thomas (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference

Sandra Nicholson (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.

Jayant Banerji (February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.

Phil Blair ( February 2026) Read the whole review here Google

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