Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksKipling's Jungle Book Country
Madhya Pradesh
Image: Altaipanther / Public domainWelcome to Kanha National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Book safari permits through the Madhya Pradesh forest booking portal.
Jeep safaris on maintained dirt roads. Some routes are bumpy. The Khatia gate area and interpretation center are accessible. Most resorts have ground-floor rooms. Inform the park office about mobility needs when booking permits.
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is widely regarded as one of the finest wildlife reserves in Asia. Its lush sal forests, bamboo groves, and sweeping meadows are believed to have inspired Rudyard Kipling's classic tale, The Jungle Book. Kanha is celebrated for saving the hard-ground barasingha (swamp deer) from extinction — a population that dwindled to just 66 in 1970 has recovered to over 800 today. The park's Bamni Dadar (Sunset Point) offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in any Indian national park. Kanha's well-managed tourism and exemplary conservation practices make it a model tiger reserve.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Nov - Feb) | 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM | 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Summer (Mar - Jun) | 5:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Two gates: Khatia (west) and Mukki (south). Each gate has designated routes. Full-day safaris are not available — morning and evening are separate trips. Wednesday evenings are closed.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 80 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 1,600 per person |
| Jeep Safari (Indian) | INR 4,000 - 6,000 per trip |
| Jeep Safari (Foreigner) | INR 8,000 - 10,000 per trip |
| Guide Fee | INR 500 per trip (mandatory) |
| Camera Fee | INR 200 (still), INR 500 (video) |
Online permits through MP Forest Department. Khatia gate has more zones and is more popular. Entry is strictly regulated with vehicle limits per zone. Book well in advance for peak season (March-May).
Kanha National Park, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh 481661
22.3345° N, 80.6115° E
Nearest airport is Jabalpur (175 km from Khatia gate). Nagpur (270 km from Mukki gate) is an alternative with more flight options. Raipur (250 km) also has good connectivity.
Nearest railway station is Jabalpur (175 km) on the Mumbai-Howrah main line, well-connected to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Gondia (140 km from Mukki) is another option.
Well-connected by road from Jabalpur (175 km, 4 hours) and Nagpur (270 km, 6 hours). State buses and private taxis available. The last stretch is through scenic rural Madhya Pradesh.
Safari vehicles (open-top Maruti Gypsys) are available at both gates. Most resorts provide transfers from Jabalpur or Nagpur. Auto-rickshaws available in nearby villages.
Sal-dominated forests in the highlands, mixed deciduous forests on slopes, and extensive bamboo groves. The Kanha meadows are open grasslands that are crucial habitat for the barasingha. The park also has teak, Tendu, Mahua, and Palash trees.
Approximately 100+ Bengal tigers, over 300 leopards, and the sole viable population of hard-ground barasingha (swamp deer) — saved from extinction here. Also home to dholes (wild dogs), sloth bears, gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar, jungle cats, and Indian pythons.
Kanha was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and a national park in 1955. It became a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1974. The park's most celebrated conservation achievement is the rescue of the hard-ground barasingha from the brink of extinction. By 1970, only 66 individuals remained. Through habitat management — controlled burning of grasslands and strict protection — the population has recovered to over 800. Kanha is also widely believed to have inspired the settings in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, though Kipling himself never visited the area.
