Kanha Tiger Reserve
In the Satpura mountain range of Madhya Pradesh, some 170 km from Jabalpur, lies the iconic Kanha Tiger Reserve. It is the same forest that served as a source of inspiration for the famous novel ‘Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling.
Established as a national park in 1955, it was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. It is spread over a core area of 940 sq km and together with the buffer area, it covers a whopping 2,117 sq km.
Kanha is a veritable treasure trove of natural landscapes, exquisite wildlife and endemic flora. It is known for its bountiful population of tigers in India.
This reserve also takes pride in driving a successful wildlife conservation program to save an almost extinct swamp deer species (Barasingha).
Mukki, Kisli, Kanha and Sarhi are the four core zones of this tiger reserve. Though tigers are free to roam anywhere in the forest, Kanha and Mukki offers the best opportunities to sight the big cats.
Kanha National Park forest comprises of Sal (Shorea Robusta) and other mixed forest trees, supporting the rich and varied wildlife.
In our quest to catch a glimpse of the tiger, we encountered many other forms of life thriving in the jungle, including spotted deer, Indian bison, wild boar, barking deer and the mesmerizing swamp deer (Barasingha).
Kanha has the highest density of swamp deer (Barasingha) and are famously known as ‘jewels of Kanha’.
USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION AND TIPS
TOURIST ZONES
- Kanha and Mukki zones are the most popular tourist zones.
- You can easily visit Kanha and Kisli zones if you are staying near Khatia gate. Mukki gate is almost 2 hrs drive from Khatia gate. You can plan to visit Mukki zone in the evening safari, but start early in the afternoon from Khatia gate to Mukki gate.
- Check your entry gate carefully in the vehicle permit.
- Plan your travel only when you have booked confirmed permits. Permit’s status shown with ‘W’ on your permit means permit is under waiting category. if your permit waiting does not get cleared before 5 days from the date of excursion, it will get cancelled automatically. And, you wouldn’t be able to visit any of the zones without a permit.
GETTING THERE
Kanha National Park enjoys good connectivity with major cities of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
BY AIR
The nearest airport is in Jabalpur, roughly 170 km from the park. Jabalpur has direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. The other nearest airports are in Raipur (205 km) and Nagpur (263 km).
BY TRAIN
Balaghat Junction (82 km) is the nearest railhead which enjoys good connectivity with cities like Mumbai, Jabalpur and Raipur. Jabalpur junction is the other nearest railway station, almost 160 km away from the park.
BY ROAD
The park is almost 3.5 hours drive from Jabalpur, 5 hours drive from Raipur and 6 hours drive from Nagpur.
| To (Gate) | From (City) | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Khatia Gate | Jabalpur (Via Mandla) | 160 Km |
| Khatia Gate | Raipur (Via Chilpi-Mukki-Baihar) | 250 Km |
| Khatia Gate | Nagpur (Via Seoni-Nainpur_Chiraidongri) | 220 Km |
| Mukki Gate | Jabalpur (Via Mandla-Mocha-Baihar) | 200 Km |
| Mukki Gate | Raipur (Via Chilpi) | 210 Km |
| Mukki Gate | Nagpur (Via Seoni-Nainpur-Mocha-Baihar or Balaghat-Baihar) | 260 Km |
| Sarhi Gate | Jabalpur (Via Mandla) | 150 Km |
| Sarhi Gate | Raipur (Via Chilpi-Sijhora) | 220 Km |
BEST TIME TO VISIT KANHA NATIONAL PARK
The best time to visit Kanha National Park is from 15th October to 30th June. The park remains closed for the visitors in the monsoon season, from July to Mid-October.
Area of the Tiger Reserve
Core/ Critical tiger habitat : 917.43 sq. km.
National Park : 22.57 sq. km.
Buffer Zone : 1134.31 sq. km.
Total : 2074.31 sq. km.
Location
Latitudes 22o 03’ 06.8” to 22o 27’ 51.2” N
Longitudes 80o 25’ 43.6” to 81o 07’ 15.7” E
Our Email
info@mptourandtravels.com
Contact Us
9584003002
