Kanha National Park - An Traveller's Insider Guide 2025
About Kanha National Park
One of India’s most well-known and meticulously managed wildlife sanctuaries is Kanha National Park, which lies tucked away in the center of Madhya Pradesh. Home to some of the most unusual species in India, the park spans 362 square miles and has verdant landscapes, picturesque panoramas, and a generally serene environment.
Praised by several naturalists as the best-kept park in the nation, Kanha’s comeback may be attributed to the remarkable work of the wildlife conservationists who founded it all those years ago, in 1955.
Kanha is a veritable natural gem, with plenty of room for both predators and prey to prosper. There’s also an abundance of plant life. Kanha has identified 43 species of mammals thus far. 23 kinds of reptiles, over 325 species of avifauna, and more than 900 species of uncommon aquatic and flowering plants in total.
Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” brought Kanha international recognition. His stories of jungle mythology were influenced by the National Park’s plants and animals, both in terms of language and artwork.
Despite being known as “Tiger Country” nowadays, the park offers visitors a wide range of activities in addition to wildlife excursions. Read about it from the perspective of an explorer to get an idea of how exciting the experience is and how crucial the park is to India’s environmental conservation.
Tigers in the National Park of Kanha
The number of tigers in India has surpassed 3,000 as of now. There are 42 cubs and 83 adult tigers in Kanha National Park alone. The biggest tiger subspecies, the Royal Bengal Tiger, is the main draw among the numerous tigers. These magnificent wild cats have a 500 kg weight limit and an almost three-meter circumference.
There are currently just five tigers left of the nine original subspecies. Conservation efforts witnessed instances of interspecies interbreeding as the Royal Bengal Tiger population started to decline.
Due to this process, several fairly unusual-looking huge cats have become more common. In addition to their traditional striped patterns, these cats have certain distinct birthmarks.
This has only raised Kanha’s standing in the popularity rankings and prompted comparable actions in Madhya Pradesh’s several adjacent national parks. There are several tigers to be aware of, including MV3, Umarpaani, Dhawajhandi, Umarjhola, Jamun Tola, and Dhawajhandi Cubs. Because they get along well with people, these tigers are the most well-known and often sighted. Learn more about the life of Kanha’s renowned tigers.
Wildlife species at Kanha National Park
Even while Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife reserves are still popular with tourists because of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fearless travelers still take pleasure in the diverse array of animals that cohabit with these apex predators.
Kanha National Park is home to a wide variety of animals that are steadily increasing in number. The remarkable conservation efforts have resulted in the resurgence of threatened species. This makes the national park one of the most captivating safari destinations in the Golden Triangle of India, together with the lush, evergreen Sal woods, everflowing riverbeds, and gently sloping slopes.
Here’s a quick glance at some of the animals that are most frequently seen in Kanha National Park:
INSECTS
Termites, caterpillars, spiders, and butterflies are responsible for maintaining the forest. Despite their small size, they are essential to preserving the forest’s life cycle.
INDIAN WILD DOG
Most of North-Eastern and Southern Asia are home to this fuzzy creature. Actually, Kanha is one of ten national reserves throughout the globe where groups of wild dogs may be spotted most frequently.
BIRDS
Kanha’s avifauna will welcome you in the most delightful way if you’re an early riser. You will hear the distinctive sounds of several different birds, including the Cuckoo, Coppersmith Barbet, and Rufous Tree Pie.
HARD-GROUND SWAMP DEER
The hard-ground swamp deer, which was formerly considered endangered, is now prospering due to conservation efforts and is the only species of deer found solely in Kanha.
REPTILES OF KANHA PARK
Kanha has an abundance of spooky creatures. Here, you may see reptiles including flying lizards, garden lizards, chameleons, and monitor lizards. Snakes are widespread; cobras and vipers are the most venomous, while the Indian Rock Python is the biggest.
Kinds of Safaris available at Kanha National Park
Like any other tourist site, Kanha National Park offers a variety of safari tours that allow you to experience all you could possibly want. While seeing the area, consider scheduling one of these thrilling safari experiences.
Canter Safari
A canter safari is the ideal option for exploring the inner reaches of the forest and getting up close and personal with the animals if you are visiting the park with a party of ten or more people. Among the safari alternatives, this is also the most reasonably priced.
Jeep Safari
The jeep safari provides a more intimate experience for smaller parties, particularly couples or small families. Along the nature walk, you may even reach isolated and challenging-to-get places.
Elephant Safari
Follow in the footsteps of the Royals! Climb atop this enormous, amiable beast to see the scenery from a whole different angle.
Walking Safari
A real explorer should choose to go on this, the most difficult safari trip available. There are just two zones for walking safaris in Kanha, but they provide a very beautiful and exhilarating walk across rocky and hilly terrain.
Selecting a safari type doesn’t matter; all of the experiences are available twice a day, in the early morning and late evening, and each route offers a unique experience upon completion and will want you to revisit.
Zones in Kanha National Park
Core Zones – Entrance Gates (Full Safari) – Entrance Gate (Single Seat Safari)
Kanha Zone – Khatia/Mukki / Sarhi Gate – Khatia Gate
Mukki Zone – Khatia / Mukki Gate – Mukki Gate
Kisli Zone – Khatia / Mukki / Sarhi Gate – Khatia Gate
Sarhi Zone – Khatia/Sarhi Gate – Sarhi Gate
Usually, national parks are separated into many zones to facilitate easier and more comfortable safari trips for visitors. There are three gates that lead into Kanha National Park: Khatia, Mukhi, or Sarhi.
Your adventure will often start in one of the park’s four central zones. You can access the park’s innermost areas, known as Buffer Zones, which are essentially connecting spots between the Core Zones, using Jeep Safaris and Canter Safaris.
Because of its abundance of animals, the Kanha Zone was the most sought-after destination for a time. However, as conservation efforts have boosted the populations across the park, this has altered over time.
In addition to the Core and Buffer, the Reserved Zone is another important zone. Since it primarily focuses on wildlife protection, this portion of the park is off-limits to visitors.
Ideal Time of the Year to spot Tigers in Kanha National Park
Kanha is among the selected few Indian national parks that provide exceptional safari experiences all year round. The primary cause of this is Madhya Pradesh’s climate.
November to March is the best time to make reservations for a safari excursion. There are gentle temperature changes, intermittent downpours, and the sight of blooming flowers everywhere. Packing for the latter months of the year should be considered necessary due to the region’s tropical environment, which will be extremely chilly and wet.
Kanha is at its best in the winter, when the majority of the wildlife is active and vibrant. Although it’s not a good time to visit, the intense heat of the summer months gives wildlife photographers a greater opportunity to picture wild cats in motion.
Reasons to explore Kanha National Park
Kanha is one of the best places in India for nature lovers to go because of its incredible tiger safaris, thrilling nature trails, and distinctive flora and wildlife.
You may actually experience everything this magnificent area has to offer in just six days. You would definitely not want to miss out on an extended week-long vacation. You will enter a wild paradise as soon as you land in Nagpur and begin your five-hour trip across the countryside.
Kanha has a timeless appeal. You become engrossed in the scenery and time seems to stop. You’ll get the impression that nothing has changed in a millennium from the tall Sal woods that cover the area. Kanha’s populace is kind and very inviting. The main source of inspiration for Kipling’s “Jungle Book” was the harmonious coexistence of the local population and the wildlife.
In some surprisingly thrilling ways, Kanha – which is both a concrete jungle and a natural jungle – offers a much-needed respite from the monotonous city life.
A vast Sal jungle that stretches as far as the eye can see; lots of places to get up close and personal with nature; breathtaking views that will make you take out your camera or binoculars every few minutes; close encounters with some of the most exquisite and rare wildlife species; luxurious jungle lodges and hotels that allow you to live comfortably in the middle of the wild, unpredictable nature trails that will keep you alert; if you’re still not convinced, maybe the verified first-hand accounts of visitors to Kanha National Park would.
Do's & Don'ts at Kanha National Park
Essentially, Kanha National Park is primarily a zone for the conservation of animals. This implies that to guarantee a safe and pleasurable visit, you must adhere to park procedures as a visitor. The following are some essential rules:
- To maximize your chances of seeing animals without upsetting the serenity, make sure your tour guide leads you on a leisurely and well-marked driving path during the safari.
- Respect the laws of the jungle and maintain a respectful distance as you are in the midst of animal territory and nature.
- Unless the tour leader explicitly permits it, never get off your canter or jeep.
- Take care to maintain a pollution-free park. Don’t bring packed items with you. The trip has preset pit stations where you can only grab a bite to eat and some refreshments.
- Consumption of alcohol or smoking is strictly forbidden within the national park.
Things to Do in the National Park of Kanha
- A maximum of six days would be needed to properly appreciate Kanha National Park’s charms. Bring thick clothing and overalls if you’ve decided to visit during the winter.
- It’s best to pack necessities like hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen creams if you plan to visit the park in the summer.
- Make sure the colors you choose are harmonious with the natural world, regardless of the type of clothing you are carrying for the climate. Your best bet is to go with light tones of brown, blue, and green. If you’re lucky, camo print also looks great.
- Your greatest allies for making the most of the safari are binoculars and a high-quality camera.
Luxurious Lodgings available in the National Park of Kanha
With its incredible selection of hotel alternatives, Kanha makes you comfy even while you’re away from home.
There are luxury hotels that meet your needs for urban luxuries if you enjoy them. However, several resorts around Kanha provide lodging in the middle of the forest if you’d prefer a jungle atmosphere even while you’re not on a nature walk.
We’ve put together a list of the top luxury hotels and resorts in the Kanha area, showcasing the greatest accommodations in all National Park zones.
TAJ BANJAAR TOLA
Situated on the banks of the Banjaar River, this safari lodge offers stunning views of the central region of Kanha National Park. With a view of the national park, two small campgrounds with nine tents each are constructed on the banks of a calm river.
SINGINAWA JUNGLE LODGE
Singinawa Jungle Lodge, located in Madhya Pradesh, is a blend of environmentally conscious tourism with the essence of the Kanha area, set amidst 100 acres of expansive forest land that borders the Kanha Tiger Reserve.
CHITVAN JUNGLE LODGE
Chitvan is a jungle resort next to Kanha National Park’s Mukki entrance. It offers accommodations such as nicely decorated rooms with an open patio, a minibar, and an open shower that lets guests enjoy the forest scenery while they unwind in bed.
Kanha Jungle Lodge
Kanha Jungle Lodge is situated 5 mins from the Mukki entry gate of national park. Lodge offers untouched wilderness experience in 16 cottages.
Kanha Jungle Camp
Part of Jungle Camps India brand, Kanha Jungle camp has an unique accommodation. Treehouse in Kanha make it one of the best options.
Meru Vann Safari Lodge
An accommodation offering by Nature Safari India, Meru Vann is an authentic wildlife lodge in kanha national park.
Kanha Earth Lodge Pugdundee Safaris
Kanha Earth Lodge offers an holistic wildlife escape to the jungles kanha. A lodge by Pugdundee Safaris, Earth Lodge in Earth is a must book resort.
Attractions close to Kanha National Park
You would be seriously misguided to believe that Kanha National Park is just about its wildlife. You will be even more captivated by the land’s possibilities if you take your time to explore the cities outside of the national reserve.
Kanha offers exploration opportunities for all types of travelers, from historic man-made ruins to scenic vistas that offer a bird’s-eye view of the region.
With so many hotspots, we’re trying to make your trip journal a bit simpler to read with our selection of the best places.
- Bandhavgarh National Park is Kanha’s nearest relative for a pure wildlife safari experience.
- The Kanha Museum teaches children about the rich and fascinating history of the park.
- Safari Tours offers large canter vans, private jeeps, or even the more traditional elephant ride. Select a safari excursion and begin your exploration.
- Cityscape excursions: Your jaws will drop in awe at the ethereal Amarkantak waterfalls and the transcendent Mandla!
- Bird Watching: During the winter months in Kanha, some of the most unusual species of avifauna blanket the skies. Ascertain that you have a pair of binoculars close at hand.
FAQs about a trip to Kanha National Park
How can a Tiger Safari Kanha excursion be scheduled?
You may always send us an email at info@tigersafaritoursindia.com or by completing our inquiry form to provide us with some basic information about what you need. Within a day, a member of our staff will respond with a customized tiger safari India plan.
Is it possible to visit several National Parks in one trip?
You certainly can. Our itineraries are flexible and may be altered to suit your needs and preferences. For example, you might combine this with the itinerary “Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh” to have a 10-day vacation in the heart of the Indian forest!
Does Kanha provide a fantastic chance for wildlife photographers with experience?
Yes, it does. For the wildlife photographer and enthusiast in you, Kanha is home to a multitude of species and is a hotspot for biodiversity.
How can I get to Kanha National Park?
If you book your trip with us, pick-up and drop-off at Kanha National Park Airport will be included. Fly to Raipur/Jabalpur from any city in India. After that, drive around 155 kilometers to the airport.
