Kanha National Park belongs to the state of Madhya Pradesh. So, if you are travelling in this state, you can consider visiting this national park. This national park is otherwise called Kanha Tiger Reserve. It holds the pride of being the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh.
The Kanha National Park is proud to be the first tiger reserve to introduce a mascot. Yes, the official mascot of this tiger reserve is Bhoorsingh the Barasingha. Bhoorsingh denotes the conservation efforts of the tiger reserve to create awareness about preserving wildlife.
The Barasingha or the Swamp Deer is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh. Once, this animal population, available only in the Kanha National Park, started declining. Due to the conservation efforts of the tiger reserve, this population has grown considerably. The national park is spread across the Mandla and Balaghat districts of the Madhya Pradesh State. This deer species is different from other deer species. The reason is that its horns are three times longer than other deer varieties. This creature is called bārah-singgā in Hindi, which is translated as 12-horned.
Kanha National Park – An Introduction
This national park was declared as a reserve forest in 1879. Then, it was upgraded as a wildlife sanctuary in 1933. Following this, this region’s position was further upgraded, making it a national park in 1955. The national park is spread over an area of 940 sq km. When you combine the core and buffer zone, the total area of the tiger reserve is 1945 square km.
The landscapes in Kanha National Park along with the surrounding meadows, dense maroons and wooded strands in this region offer a satisfying sightseeing experience to visitors. The reserve area gets more beauty from its crystal-clear streams. You might have read Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. This book is said to have been written based on the inspiration gained from the Kanha National Park.
How to Reach Kanha National Park?
Kanha National Park is located in the Balaghat and Mandla Districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The national park has great train, road and air connectivity from most parts of India. There are a couple of locations to enter this national park. They are Khatia & Mukki Entrance Gates.
The Mukki Entrance gate falls in the Balaghat District, while the Khatia Entrance Gate is in the Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. From the former entrance, you can gain access to the Mukki range of the national park. From the latter, you can explore the Sarki, Kanka and Kisli zones of the national park. The former gate is connected well to the cities of Nagpur, Raipur and Jabalpur, while the latter is connected to Nagpur and Jabalpur alone. You can choose one of the following modes to reach the Kanha National Park:
By Air
If you are travelling by flight from your hometown, you can choose to reach one of the following airports:
- Jabalpur Airport: This airport is located around 130 km away from the Kanha National Park.
- Raipur Airport: From Raipur Airport, you will have to travel for around 197 km to reach the national park.
- Nagpur Airport: Around 260 km away from the national park, Nagpur Airport is one of the nearest airports.
All these airports are international airports. However, you can expect domestic flights to reach this airport as well. If you are travelling from elsewhere in India or from a foreign land, you can reach this airport. From this airport, you can reach the national park by hire a taxi.
By Train
You have the option to travel by train to reach the Kanha National Park. In this case, the nearest railway stations to this national park are Jabalpur and Gondia Railway Stations. The former is located around 165 km away from the national park, while the latter is around 145 km away. The distance from the Jabalpur Junction is to the Mukki Entrance Gate of the national park. The distance from Gondia is to the Khatia entrance gate.
By Bus
You can find regular private and state buses that connect nearby towns to the national park. Yes, you can take buses from Gondia, Mandla and Jabalpur to Kanha. You can reach one of these places possibly by bus from your hometown. Otherwise, you can choose any other mode of transportation. Public buses often drop tourists at one of the entrances of the park.
By Car
If you are from nearby cities like Raipur, Jabalpur or Nagpur, you can drive to Kanha National Park. Based on the place of your origin, it will take at least 4 hours to travel by car to reach the national park. You can expect the addition of a delightful touch to your trip by driving through attractive landscapes.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
Kanha National Park offers a wide range of activities and things to do for visitors. Read on for a more detailed knowledge in this regard:
Participate in Nature Walks
Do you know that nature trails can improve your senses? Yes, they can improve your inner well-being. You will get a truly medicinal experience through a jungle walk at the national park. If you wish to explore wildlife and nature from close quarters, you will love nature walks at Kanha.
When you take guided walks through the lush landscapes, you can expect some unique surprises. With the tranquil wilderness present in this reserved area, you will get a different experience for sure.
Cycling Trails
Do you love cycling? If so, you can choose to travel by cycle via the cycling trails of Kanha National Park. Different lodges in the region provide the opportunity for cycling expeditions. A few names include Kanha Jungle Camp, Kanha Earth Lodge, Cycle Safari Kanha and BLive Electric Bike Tours.
During the cycling expedition, you can spend some time exploring a few small lakes. Above all, the cycling trails will help you immerse in the moments of isolation by the Banjaar River.
Participate in the Khatia Trail Walk
Nature lovers walk at the Khatia Buffer zone of the Kanha National Park and it is referred to as the Khatia Trail Walk. It is conducted for two hours. You will have to obtain a permit from the forest department for this walk. To begin this trail walk, you will have to get down at the Khatia Gate when travelling in the Pugdundee Safari Vehicles.
Take a Historical Journey To the Kanha Museum
Kanha Museum is located inside the Kanha National Park. It is set on a colonial building that houses some halls. You can understand the history and splendour of the park with its fascinating display of different wildlife.
The forest department impeccably manages the Kanha Museum. It stands as an example of the sustainability moves that safeguard the local art and culture. You will be allowed to visit the museum if you have valid tickets to the Kanha Core Zone. You can do this during your breakfast break in between the safari ride.
Take A Sunset Walk To the Scenic Hilltop
One of the activities to do in Kanha National Park is to walk through the natural forests of the buffer zone of the park. Starting close to the Kanha Earth Lodge, you will pass through mud settlements and villages. On this path, you will reach a scenic hilltop with expansive and flat plateaus and stunning views. You will be stunned by the bird’s eye view of the sprawling park. This will be an immersive experience.
Visit the Vibrant Tribal Bazaars
The tribal market is locally called haat. It is the ideal spot to soak yourself in the local flavours. This market is bustling with a combination of colours. You can see a wide range of products in this market. These include fresh organic greens, tribal jewellery, pottery and local artefacts. This market is a popular spot to get the fresh catch of the day. You can access these bazaars on a bicycle ride. Otherwise, you can also request your lodge to take you to the market and drop you back.
Visit The Picturesque Villages
You can plan a visit to the adjoining tribal villages. This can be a fascinating experience. Most settlements here are adorned with tribal paintings. It is a delight for photographers. At these villages, you can experience the rustic flavours of village life. You can talk to the locals to gain insights into their livelihood.
Would you like to hone your crafty and artistic skills? You can visit the bamboo craft and pottery villages. If you would like to learn painting, you can take lessons from Gond Painters. You can take home some tangible memories.
With a prior request, you can visit the local Narma Village School. Pugdundee Safaris conduct educating workshops. You can volunteer here. Otherwise, you can simply spend some precious moments interacting with local children.
Sight The Crimson Sunset From Bamni Dadar
You can see colours merging in the broad sky from Bamni Dadar. I should say that this is one of the most beautiful spots in the tiger reserve area. You can get an excellent view of the national park from Bamni Dadar. The reason is that it is 275 m above the park. From this height, you will be stunned by the excellent sunset views.
Jungle Safari in Kanha
A trip to Kanha Reserve will take you to the lush habitat of wild animals and birds. With jeep and elephant safari, you can expect to encounter wild animals and bird species. With jungle safari trips, you can get a closer look at wild animals. In addition to the jeep safari, you can also take an elephant safari at this national park.
Best Time & Season To Visit
Kanha National Park remains open for visitors every year from the 15th of October to the 30th of June. The best time to visit the park is between October and March. During this winter season in this region, the weather becomes pleasant.
Most people choose the winter season to visit Kanha National Park between November and February. The temperature will be cool during this season to make wildlife exploration enjoyable. This season is best for spotting animals and different bird species within the national park.
Summer
The summer season in this region is between March and May. During this season, the park gets dry vegetation. However, this season is ideal for jungle safari trips as against the winter season. This season is the ideal season for photographers, who wish to capture some rare photographs of tigers in their natural habitat.
Duration to See
You will be interested in knowing how many days to spend in the national park. It purely relies on your preferences. However, most visitors recommend that you ideally spend 2-3 days in this national park. If you have three days, you can follow the itinerary given below:
- Day 1: You will arrive at Kanha and you can take a safari trip in the evening.
- Day 2: You can take both morning and evening safari trips on this day and you can also visit the Kanha Museum.
- Day 3: You can engage in village tours, and nature walks and depart.
With three days, you can explore the diverse offerings of the park at a comfortable pace.
Where To Stay? Best Resorts
Thankfully, you can find many resorts that officially belong to Kanha National Park. Accordingly, here are some options:
- Luxury Resorts
- Kanha Earth Lodge
- Kanha Jungle Lodge
- The Baagh Resort
- Deluxe Resorts
- Wild Chalet Resort
- Krishna Jungle Resort
- Celebration Van Villas
- Tuli Tiger Resort
- Standard Resorts
- MK Resort Kanha
- Grand Tiger Resort
- Kanha Meadows Retreat
- Satya Ashoka Resort
- High-End Resorts
- Singinawa Jungle Lodge
- Shergarh Tented Camp
- Tuli Tiger Corridor
- Banjaar Tola
Entry Fee and Ticket Prices
To explore the Kanha National Park, you will have to take safari trips. When you enter the core gate during weekends, the jeep safari charges will be Rs. 8000 for Indians. When you enter the core gate on weekends, the jeep safari charges will be Rs. 9000. The number of people a jeep can accommodate per trip is 6.
When you enter the national park through the buffer gate on weekdays, the jeep safari charges will be Rs.7000. When you travel on weekends via the buffer gates, the jeep safari will cost you Rs.8000.
FAQ
1. Is It Possible to Book a Safari Trip online?
Yes, you can book safari trips online via the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department website. Otherwise, you can book online through the website of authorized travel agents.
When does the Kanha National Park Safari Begin every day?
Every day, the safari trips begin at sunrise and will last until 10 am or 11 am. In the afternoon, the safari trips begin either at 2 pm or 3 pm and end at sunset.
Also, check out my other posts on Madhya Pradesh
Unveiling the Heart of India: A 11-Day Madhya Pradesh Itinerary
Madhya Pradesh: Land of opportunities for Adventure Tourists
Khajuraho Temple – All you need to know about Khajuraho
Satpura National Park, MP – A Tiger reserve, off the tourist grid