Kanha National Park India

Kanha National Park is a beautiful haven for wildlife lovers, located in Madhya Pradesh’s Madla and Balaghat districts. The national park is spread across the Maikal Ranges of the Satpuras. The total area of Kanha National Park is 2051.791 sq. km. and is home to a wide variety of animals, birds and trees. The national park is renowned for its lush forests, expansive grasslands, and a diverse array of wildlife, particularly the rare Barasingha deer. Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts visit Kanha National Park India from across the globe. It was declared a national park in 1955 and became part of the Project Tiger initiative in 1973, thereby strengthening efforts to protect its rich wildlife. Due to its location, visitors can also explore nearby attractions apart from the popular Kanha safari India experiences.

In order to explore the forest and wildlife of Kanha National Park, tourists need to book jeeps in advance. Prior booking is strongly advised, as jeep safaris are the most exciting way to experience Kanha safari India. The open jeeps can accommodate up to 6 people and a driver, and a guide. Taking a driver and a guide is mandatory to ensure the safety of the visitors. Also the guide provides interesting information about the wildlife of Kanha National Park. Please note that no private vehicles are allowed to enter the Kanha safari zones. Entry is permitted only through authorised jeep safari booking India systems. There is a certain set of rules and regulations imposed by the forest department that have to be strictly followed by the tourists, as well as the driver and the guide. Violating any instructions is a punishable offence and is subject to a penalty. The jeeps traverse across the various safari zones that are marked by the forest department. The Kanha safari zones are divided into core and buffer areas. The number of jeeps allowed in each zone is limited, so Kanha jeep safari India slots often sell out early, especially during peak tourist months.

Tourists should also note that Kanha jeep safaris are conducted in the morning and evening hours and there are fixed time slots. The safari timings are not altered in case of any delay from the tourists’ end. It is required to reach the safari entry gate at least 30 minutes before the safari time.
• Morning Safari: 6:00 am - 11:30 am
• Evening Safari: 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The timings vary slightly with the seasons. Visitors must book their jeep safaris online to avoid any last-minute unavailability.

Flora: The sal trees primarily dominate the flora species of Kanha National Park. Other well-known plants found in the area include Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, Achar, and Bamboo. In addition, various types of climbing plants, herbs, and grasses are also present. The grass species in Kanha are crucial for the survival of the Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi) in the reserve. Additionally, some aquatic plants located in the numerous lakes provide essential support for migratory birds and wetland species.

Fauna: Kanha National Park is a safe abode of about 300 species of Birds, 43 species of Mammals, 26 species of Reptiles and more than 500 species of Insects. The major animals found are the Tiger, Leopard, Bear, hard ground Barasingha (swamp deer), Dhole, Gaur and Indian Python, etc.

Core Zones
• Kanha -The Kanha zone is known for its wide open meadows, grassy plains, and thick bamboo patches. These landscapes offer good chances of wildlife sightings during a Kanha safari India. A key attraction here is Shravan Taal, a place linked to mythology, where King Dashrath is believed to have accidentally killed Shravan Kumar, mistaking him for a deer.
• Kisli - Kisli Zone stands out for its beautiful sal forests mixed with open grasslands and bamboo growth. The scenery here feels calm and scenic, offering a rich forest experience for visitors.
• Mukki - Mukki is one of the most popular zones for spotting wildlife in Kanha. The area has a mix of dense sal trees, bamboo forests, and large grasslands, which together support a wide range of animals and birds.
• Sarhi - Sarhi is another well-known core zone of Kanha. It features dry deciduous forests along with large open meadows. The route to Sarhi passes through the Kisli zone, allowing visitors to enjoy tall sal forests along the way.

Buffer Zones
• Khapa - Located southwest of Kanha Tiger Reserve and close to the Mukki core zone, Khapa is a good choice for travellers staying near the Mukki gate. The zone is easy to reach from nearby resorts and is usually less crowded. With its water bodies and marshy areas, Khapa is especially popular among bird lovers.
• Khatia - The Khatia Zone lies on the western side of Kanha Tiger Reserve, near the Khatia entrance gate. It includes forest areas as well as the nearby village landscapes. This zone is useful for tourists who arrive without advance bookings, especially when core zone safaris are fully booked.
• Phen - The Phen buffer zone is located near the Mukki entrance gate in the southern part of Kanha Tiger Reserve, close to the Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh border. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1983, Phen is connected to Kanha through the Motinala buffer range and plays an important role as a natural wildlife corridor.
• Sijora - Sijora Zone is located northeast of Kanha Tiger Reserve, next to the Sarhi core zone. There is no clear boundary between the core and buffer areas here. Visitors enter Sijora through the Sarhi gate, which is also used for accessing the Sarhi core zone.

Kanha Museum - One of the key attractions near Kanha is the Kanha Museum, managed by the Forest Department. It's a great spot to learn about the park’s landscape and interesting facts. The museum showcases the history of the reserve and features skeletons of various carnivores, reptiles, and herbivores. To help visitors understand wildlife habitats better, the museum also displays specimens, charts, photographs, and models that provide detailed information about the food chain and the animals living in the forest. A highlight of the museum is the evening sound show, which is a must-see.

Mandla - Mandla is a popular tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh and it dates back to the era of the Gond Kingdom. The place is famous for its tall forts and sacred temples, located quite close to the Kanha National Park. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Rangrez Ghat and Rapta Ghat, which include the peaceful Narmada River and its tributaries that flow through Mandla. The Sahastradhara River surrounds the area, offering beautiful scenery that adds to its charm.

Kawardha Palace - The impressive Kawardha Palace is a luxurious retreat that covers 11 acres and is surrounded by lush greenery. Constructed with imported Italian marble and stone, this two-story palace provides stunning views of the Maikal Hill Range. An interesting aspect of the palace is that it has been transformed into a heritage hotel.

Amarkantak - Amarkantak is rich in cultural heritage and boasts a variety of plants with medicinal properties. The area is famous for its Dudhdhara Waterfalls, where the water churns and looks like milk. While exploring, visitors can also check out nearby attractions such as the Narmada Udgam Temple and the Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple from the Kalachuri Era, both showcasing stunning architecture.

Jabalpur - Jabalpur is known for its colourful marble rocks that attract many visitors. The city offers a range of captivating experiences, from the famous misty Dhuandhar Falls and the historic Madan Mahal Fort to nature walks in Dumna and Bhedaghat. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the marble cliffs rising 100 feet above the River Narmada flowing through them. Jabalpur is also home to the ancient Chausath Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva and the Kanchnar Temple.

Bamni Dadar - Bamni Dadar, also known as Sunset Point, is the most scenic spot in Kanha Tiger Reserve. Located at the park’s highest point, it offers stunning sunset views and dense forest surroundings. Visitors often spot animals like barking deer, sambar, gaur, and four-horned antelope in this peaceful area.