The Forest reserve has almost 250 species of avian life that flock here in large numbers. They include osprey, brown headed fishing eagle, racket tailed drongo, golden backed woodpecker, stork, peafowl, egrets, herons, ibis etc. The birds can be spotted from the watchtower at the lake.
Kabini forest reserve is known for its Asiatic elephants seen throughout the forest. The other species of wildlife includes langur, chitals, sambhar, bison, python, crocodiles, mouse deer, leopard, gaur, tiger, cobra, python etc.
One of the best ways to sightsee in the forest is on an elephant. Elephant safaris start from Sunkadakatte. A more common kind of safari is the jeep safari, which is usually done early in the morning or late in the evening. More daring and adventurous way of exploring the reserve is in a “coracle” down the river. A coracle is a circular bamboo boat lined with buffalo hide that floats down the river. For a safer option one can take a motor boat, paddle boat or a sailboat. This way one can spot the land animals and even the water animals and reptiles like crocodiles that are half hidden under the water.