Located in the very heart of India, Kanha National Park is doubtlessly among the most famous wildlife sanctuaries. With a good population of Bengal tigers and landscapes of beautiful stretches of greenery and varied wildlife, Kanha should be on every nature and wildlife enthusiast’s bucket list. However, despite all this, there are many unknown aspects to visiting Kanha, which are seldom spoken about. Familiarity with these facts is going to do a lot to enhance your experience. This is a blog that talks about all the lesser-known Kanha visiting facts, making up a comprehensive guide for your Kanha National Park trip.
The Real Essence of Kanha Wildlife
Tigers are instantaneous additives to people’s minds at the mention of Kanha National Park. While there is much more to the park itself, the sightings of tigers are undoubtedly its best-known feature.
The Majestic Bengal Tiger of Kanha National Park
Within this diversity, it sustains more than 300 species of birds, the Hardground Barasingha—the swamp deer—wild dogs and leopards. That intricate web of life itself is the real core of Kanha’s wildlife, where everyone plays a vital role in preserving the balance of the ecological system.
Hardground Barasingha at Kanha National Park.
Location
Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India, Kanha National Park is one of India’s largest and well-preserved national parks. It spreads across the two districts of Mandla and Balaghat. It covers the areas of 940 square kilometres and is one of the major constituents of the larger Kanha Tiger Reserve that has an extent of 1,940 square kilometres when the buffer zone is added.
How to Reach Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park
By Air
The most convenient way of reaching the Kanha National Park is by air. The nearest airports to this park include:
| Airport | Distance (from Kanha National Park) |
Time by Road | Connectivity |
| Jabalpur Airport (Dumna Airport) |
160 km | 3-4 hours | Good air connectivity to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad |
| Nagpur Airport (Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport) |
Approximately 260 km |
5-6 hours | Connected to most Indian cities and some international destinations |
| Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur | Approximately 210 km |
4-5 hours | Connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore |
By Rail
Kanha National Park is also easily accessible by train. The closest railheads from here are:
| Railway Station | Distance from the Park |
Time Taken (hours)
|
Connectivity from major cities | Travel Options from Station |
| Jabalpur Railway Station |
165 km | Approximately 4 hours |
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai | Taxi, Bus |
| Gondia Railway Station |
145 km | Approximately 3hrs | Connected to various cities | Taxi, Bus |
| Nagpur Railway | 260 km | Approximately 5 to 6 hours |
Well-connected to different cities | Taxi, Bus |
By Road
Visitors can easily reach Kanha by road also, as there are a number of routes and good connectivity.
| Form City |
Distance(km) |
Route
|
Time Taken(hours) |
Road Condition
|
| Jabalpur | 165 km | Via Mandla | 3-4 hours | Good |
| Nagpur | 145 km | Via Seoni and Mandla | 5-6 hours | Good except at some places |
| Raipur | 260 km | Via Kawardha and Mukki | 5-6 hours | Good |
| Bilaspur | 300 km | Via superb landscapes | 6-7 hours | Good |
Air, rail, and road connectivity make Kanha National Park easily accessible to wildlife and nature enthusiast visitors. There are public and private buses available from nearby cities like Jabalpur, Nagpur, and Raipur to Kanha, at quite affordable prices.
Many hotels and resorts offer pickup and drop facilities from these places as well.
Tips to Plan Your Journey
Advance Bookings
Whether by air, rail, or road, it is always an excellent idea to pre-book all your tickets and accommodations in advance, particularly so during the peak seasons for tourism – November to March.
Travel Time
Plan your journey to ensure that you get to the park during daylight hours itself, so that you can settle in comfortably in advance and prepare yourself for the safari trips.
Local Transport
In Kanha itself, local transport options are available in the form of jeeps and taxis for commuting between the park gates and your accommodation. This should be arranged through your hotel or resort to avoid inconvenience.
Safety and Comfort
Remember to carry basic needs such as water, light snacks, and a first-aid kit during your travel. See to it that the vehicle is well-conditioned to avoid breakdowns on the routes.
A little planning and preparation, and the journey to this beautiful park shall be smooth and enjoyable, thus setting the stage for an unforgettable experience amidst the rich flora and fauna of Kanha.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Kanha National Park is from November to March since the season shows pleasant weather and meliorate visibility of wild life that comes out in the sun.
Though, every season has its own charisma—Kanha safaris are closed during the monsoon, from July to mid-October. Even yet, nature lovers can visit the park for its lush green surroundings and rejuvenated environs and enjoy their stay at a jungle lodge.
Safari Experience
The wildlife safari is one of the primary activities at Kanha. However, very few people know that it is further divided into four zones: Kanha, Kisli, Mukki, and Sarhi.
Each zone presents a different kind of landscape and wild life sighting. In search of tigers, it is best to go for safaris in different zones.
Although the morning safaris are usually better for the sighting of tigers, evening safaris are very beautiful accompanied by sunset and different animal activities.
Tips on Accommodation
In Kanha National Park, lodging options vary from luxury resorts to rustic jungle lodges. But what most visitors forget to do is pick a location that will cut down on journey time by staying in the ideal zone.
Singinawa Jungle Lodge
Luxurious Room at Singinawa Jungle Lodge
Staying more towards the gates of the park, particularly near Kisli or Mukki gates, may save some hours of travel time extra and allow for more safari experiences.
Some of those staying have their own guided tours and nature walks for a more intimate experience of the Kanha wildlife.
Things to Carry
While stuffing your bags for your Kanha trip, apart from the obvious stuff like clothes and personal care products, there are a few items that can make this visit a lot more comfortable:
• Binoculars: Countless to view birds and spotting other wildlife at some distance.
• Camera: A decent camera with a zoom lens to click picturesque Kanha wildlife.
• Insect Repellent: Against mosquitoes and other bugs and insects, particularly in case of an evening safari.
• Shoes: You will need comfortable shoes for walking in nature and around your accommodation.
• Warm Clothing: It can get quite cold in the mornings and evenings. So, you must take along warm apparel, even in the summer season.
Responsible Tourism
Responsible tourism is time and again devalued, but it is very critical when traveling to Kanha National Park. This makes sure that the wildlife is conserved, the people of the community live well, and that future generations can see the park intact.
Some of the most important elements are:
• Rules and regulations of the park: This actually entailed total safari silence; completely no litter as a sign of respect to the rules of the park.
• Eco-friendly products: Avoid using plastics and other non-biodegradable materials while in nature. Use eco-friendly sustainable products like a thermo-steel water bottle for drinking water.
• Local enterprise: Hire local guides, buy local souvenirs, and interact with local to understand their life in the wild.
Very few places can offer experiences like that of visiting the Kanha National Park. It contains much more to it than the sighting of tigers. Right from knowing the different zones for safaris to understanding the importance of responsible tourism and showing respect for the living, you will love this visit all the more, and that in itself is reason enough for long-term memories.
So pack your bags, get your cameras ready, and get enthralled by the majestic beauty of the wildlife of Kanha.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get to Kanha National Park?
Ans: There is good connectivity through air, rail, and road to Kanha National Park. About 160 kilometers away, in Jabalpur, is the closest airport. The closest train stations are in Gondia and Jabalpur. Regular connections exist between these train stops and a number of significant cities. To get to the park, you can either take a bus or hire a taxi from the earlier locations.
2. What is the best time of the year to visit Kanha National Park?
Ans: The best time to visit Kanha National Park is from October to June. October to February has pleasant weather conditions with greener landscapes after the monsoons, just perfect for a safari drive. Now, while March to June does witness rising temperatures, it is the best time for sightings of wildlife, especially tigers, as animals start to concentrate more around water sources during this period. The months of June until mid-October will find the park closed during the monsoon season due to heavy rains that interrupt the terrain and make wildlife sighting very difficult.
3. How to book a safari at Kanha National Park?
Ans: Safaris in Kanha National Park are conducted in two slots: morning, from approximately 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and evening, from approximately 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. You can avail of advance booking of your safari from the website of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department or from your accommodation provider.
4. How many days trip is ideal to stay in Kanha?
Ans: A minimum of 3 to 4 days is recommended for a fulfilling experience in Kanha National Park. This duration allows you to go on multiple safaris, explore different zones, and increase the chances of witnessing various wildlife encounters.
5. What kind of outfit should I wear during a safari?
Ans: Wear comfortable clothing in neutral colours that blend with the natural surroundings. Avoid any bright-colored clothes, or even wearing perfume and deodrants to the safari, as wild animals are highly sensitive to smells and odours. Dressing in layers is certainly highly recommended for situations where temperatures may change from very hot to quite cool within a day.
6. Can I take my own vehicle for a safari?
Ans: No, private vehicles are not permitted to go for safari inside the Kanha National Park. It is necessary to hire a registered safari vehicle along with a guide through the park authorities.
