Karapura in the eastern fringe of the sanctuary housed the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore, and was later used by the Viceroys. Jungle Lodges and Resorts, an undertaking of Government of Karnataka, has developed this lodge and its surrounding property as the world famous Kabini River Lodge.

Nagarahole is located between the latitudes 11.45' - 12.15' North and longitudes 76 - 76.15 East The Nagarahole National Park encompasses gentle slopes and shallow valleys, the altitude ranging from 600m to 900m, the highest point being the Masalabetta Peak (957m). The largest and the most important river draining the park is the Kabini in the southern part of the park. Other rivers include Lakshmanateertha, Nagarahole, Taraka, Hebballa and Sarathi.