About Kanha

Kanha National Park has the honor of providing the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel, The Jungle Book. It’s rich in lush saal and bamboo forests, lakes, streams and open grasslands. The park is one of the largest national parks in India, with a core area of 940 square kilometers (584 square miles) and surrounding area of 1,005 square kilometers (625 square miles). Kanha is well regarded for its research and conservation programs, and many endangered species have been saved there. As well as tigers, the park abounds with barasingha (swamp deer) and an extensive variety of other animals and birds.

Kanha Location:

In the state of Madhya Pradesh, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south east of Jabalpur. The park has two entrances at opposite ends, at Khatia- Kisli and Mukki, and it’s possible to drive between them although it takes around 4 hours. Kisli is busier, as tiger sightings are more frequent at that end of the park.

How to Get to Kanha:

Air Deccan flys directly to Jabalpur from Delhi, then it’s around 4-5 hours by road from there to the park. Alternatively, Jabalpur can also be reached by rail.

When to Visit Kahna:

March and April, when it starts getting hot and the animals come out in search of water. Try to avoid the peak months from December to January, and March during the Indian Holi festival, as it’s very busy. It can also get extremely cold during the winter.

Kanha Opening Hours:

From dawn until late morning and mid afternoon until sunset. The best time to visit the park is early in the morning or after 4 p.m. to spot the animals. The park is closed from July 1 to October 31 due to the monsoon rains.

Kanha Cost:

The entrance fee for foreigners is 2000 rupees ($45) per jeep, and Indians 600 rupees per jeep. A guide costs around 150 rupees ($3.50) per trip and the cost of a jeep and driver is 700-900 rupees ($16-18). Up to 6 passengers can be taken in one jeep.


Kanha Travel Tips:

It's well worthwhile taking a walk in the surrounding forest and exploring its natural beauty. Also, don’t miss experiencing in a sunset at Bamni Dadar (a plateau that’s also known as sunset point). It provides a mesmerizing view of the park’s grazing animals as the sun disappears down the horizon. Jeeps can be hired from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at Baghira Log Huts at the Kisli entrance, or the Kanha Safari Lodge at the Mukki entrance. Hotels also organize and run tours.

Kanha Hotels:

Baghira Log Huts, operated by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, provides rustic accommodations amidst the forest inside the park at Kisli. Although there aren’t a lot of amenities, the big attraction of this place is having wildlife right at your doorstep. For a relaxing escape, Wild Chalet Resort has tranquil cottages by the Banjar River, a short drive from Khatia. For something a little more up-market with a swimming pool, the Krishna Jungle Resort is recommended. It’s located in the surrounding forest, near the Khatia entrance gate to the park.