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Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park

Location: Madhya Pradesh

Main Wildlife Attractions: Tiger, Gaur, Sambhar, Chital, Python, leopard, Porcupine

Coverage Area: 1945 sq.kms

Established: 1955

Best Time to Visit:November to June

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Located in the centermost state of India, in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha national Park, which was established in the year 1955, is a protected land that stretches for approximately 940 km. The park is known for various wildlife conservations schemes initiated by its management, particularly regarding Barasingha and Tiger species.



How to reach Kanha National Park

By Air

The airport which is in the closest proximity to Kanha National Park is Nagpur airport, at a distance of 266 km.

By Rail

The closest railway station to Kanha National Airport is Jabalpur Railway Station at a distance of 169 km.

By Road

The National Park is well connected by roads, and can be easily reached by buses from Raipur (219 km), Jabalpur (169) and Mukki (25 km).



What is Kanha National Park known for?

Kanha National Park is known for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the park gained popularity because the famous author Rudyard Kipling used it as the location for his widely famous fictional wildlife novel, “The Jungle Book”. Apart from that, the park is known for housing endangered species of tigers. Barasinghas are another defining attribute of this park.

Best time to visit Kanha National Park

Every year the Kanha National Park is open for visitors from the 15th of October to till 30th of June. Located in Madhya Pradesh in Central India, as per the climate of the region, the peak season to visit is during winters. The best time to visit the park is between November and March. In the summers the heat is unbearable. After the rains of the monsoon have revitalized all the nature & vegetation, the wilderness becomes exciting. November brings a lot of guests in the park. A lot of migratory birds visit the park during the winter months. It is the best time to bird-watch.

During the time period from March to May most of the vegetation at Kanha National Park gets dried. It is easier for Tiger Sighting in March. Even the temperatures are bearable. However April and May provide a great and almost sure opportunity to Wildlife Photographers. Some rare photographs of the largest member of cat family can be clicked in the heated season.

What are the opening and closing hours of this National Park?

  • Morning Jeep safari: 0530 hours to 1100 hours
  • Afternoon Jeep safari: 1400 hours to 1800 hours

What are the charges inside the National Park?

  • Jeep Safari: INR 1500 for Indians and INR 3000 for foreigners
  • Child rates: INR 1000 for Indians and INR 2000 for foreigners
  • Morning tiger show: INR 200 for Indians and INR 600 for foreigners
  • Guide: INR 400 for foreigners and INR 150 for Indians
  • Jeep and Driver: INR 1800

Note: The charges are not fixed and may be changed at any time without prior information or notification. If a Jeep Safari carries a party of both foreigners and Indians, then the foreigner fee charges will be executed.

When was the National Park established?

The idea for the conservation of the forest first came up with Captain J. Forsyth classical book "The Highlands of Central India". The officer at Bengal Staff Corps laid down the ideas to protect and preserve plantations and regulations were implanted that prohibited the cutting of trees in the area by 1962. By the year 1879, the area around Kanha National Park was declared as a protected land.

The park gained huge popularity when the locations and setting of the park were used as the background for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”. The prohibitions on hunting of animals were also laid out between the years 1935 and 1955. The park was declared as a National Park by the year 1955.

By 1970s, various wildlife conservation acts were implanted by the forest officials. The reintroduction of Barasinghas in the park gave it immense popularity among tourists and approximately 500 new breeds were brought in the park.

The 1980’s National Geographic Award winning film "Land of the Tigers got wide recognition all over the world and became a cause of celebration to the wildlife Sanctuary. It also led to implementation of various tiger protection schemes in and around the park.  The Kanha National Park was awarded with the best tourism friendly national parks accolade by the Department of Tourism in the year 2000.

Where is Kanha National Park located?

Kanha National Park is situated in the Balaghat and Mandla districts in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

What are the major attractions in and around the Park?

  • Bamni Dadar: For catching the magical sight of sun setting in a forest, this is the point in the National Park which is a must go.
  • Kanha Museum: The museum inside the park is very informational if one wishes to get affiliated with knowledge regarding the topography and various other features of the park.
  • Medicinal Plantation: Medicinal Plantation Conservation Area is one of the best visits for a nature lover, situated just 2 km away from the park.

Where can I stay on a tour to Kanha National Park?

There are various budget hotels near Kanha National Park but tourists always prefer to stay in the little expensive wildlife lodges and resorts around Kanha National Park. The major reason for this is the close proximity of these resorts to the Kanha National Park. The experience of staying in these resorts is very adventurous, especially when one gets to see the wildlife walking just outside their rooms.  

All the basic facilities required by a modern day traveler are offered in these lodges and the settings here are designed to portray a life in a rustic village of India, which offers supreme fascination to tourists.

Tourists love the taste of organic food that is provided to them in these accommodation facilities. Some of the famous resorts include Kanha Jungle, Dyna Resort, Chitvan Lodge, Hiawatha Resort, Lodge, Baghira Log Huts etc.

Some useful tips before visiting the famous Kanha National Park:

Sure. Check out these very helpful travel tips:

  • Carrying any sort of sharp object or a weapon inside the park is strictly prohibited.
  • One is not allowed to take his/her private vehicle inside the park.
  • One needs to be highly patient while roaming around the forest.
  • One needs to be dressed in light colored clothes as the darker shades alert and scare away the animals.
  • Elephant Safaris are the best way to spot tigers inside the forest.
  • Keep tour cameras charged and just in case, keep a pair of extra batteries. You will regret if you do not get to click pictures.
  • Any kind of ill-behavior with animals is not tolerated and considered a major offence.