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Kanha National Park

About Kanha

Kanha National Park is one of the most well-known tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. It lies in the Maikal range of the Satpura hills. The reserve covers forests, meadows, streams and grasslands.

Kanha is famous for its Bengal tigers and hard-ground barasingha. The reserve played an important role in bringing the barasingha population back from the brink of extinction. The species now remains one of the main attractions of the park.

The forest has large stretches of sal trees along with bamboo and other mixed deciduous vegetation. Open meadows break up the forest and provide good areas for watching deer, gaur and other animals.

Kanha also has a strong connection with The Jungle Book. The forests and landscapes of this part of central India helped inspire Rudyard Kipling’s famous work.

Herd of Barasinga in Kanha

A safari in Kanha can bring sightings of tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, gaur, sambar and chital. The reserve also supports a large variety of birds and reptiles.

Kanha Tiger Reserve includes a core area of about 917 square kilometres and a buffer area of about 1,134 square kilometres. The total area covers about 2,052 square kilometres.

Kanha Safari Packages

Bengal Tiger on Big Cats Marathon

Best Seller

Big Cats Marathon

Duration : 16 Days
Destination : Nagpur › Tadoba › Pench › Kanha › Bandhavgarh › Panna › Khajuraho › Delhi

kanha national park royal bengal tiger

Golden Triangle and Tiger Tour

Duration : 15 Days
Destination : Delhi › Agra › Jaipur › Kanha › Bandhavgarh › Nagpur

Wildlife in Kanha

Kanha has a wide range of wildlife. Bengal tigers remain the main attraction, but the reserve supports many other mammals, birds and reptiles.

The open meadows are good places to watch chital, barasingha and other herbivores. Gaur often move through the forest and grasslands. Leopards usually stay more secretive and need patient tracking.

Dholes, also called Indian wild dogs, live in packs and can cover large areas while searching for prey. 

Kanha is also known for its birdlife. The forest supports raptors, waterbirds, woodland birds and many smaller species. The reserve has around 300 bird species, 43 mammal species and 26 reptile species.

Bengal Tiger Walking Through Kanha
Spotted Deer Fighting in Kanha

Mammals

  • Bengal Tiger
  • Leopard
  • Dhole
  • Sloth Bear
  • Gaur
  • Hard-ground Barasingha
  • Sambar Deer
  • Chital
  • Wild Boar
  • Golden Jackal
Yellow Necked stork Kanha

Birds

  • Indian Peafowl
  • Crested Serpent Eagle
  • Changeable Hawk-Eagle
  • Indian Roller
  • Malabar Pied Hornbill
  • Common Hoopoe
  • Indian Grey Hornbill
  • Black-hooded Oriole
  • White-bellied Drongo
  • Lesser Adjutant
Indian Rock Python

Reptiles

  • Indian Python
  • Common Cobra
  • Indian Rat Snake
  • Common Krait
  • Indian Flapshell Turtle
  • Indian Softshell Turtle
  • Bengal Monitor
  • Common Garden Lizard
  • Russell’s Viper
  • Indian Rock Python

Safari Zones in Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park has four core safari zones: Kanha, Kisli, Mukki and Sarhi. The park also allows safaris in selected buffer zones. Each zone covers a different part of the forest, so the landscape and wildlife sightings can vary between them.

Kanha Zone

Kanha Zone is one of the most popular safari zones in the park. It has open meadows, sal forests and water sources. Visitors can spot tigers, barasingha, chital, sambar and gaur in this area.

Kisli Zone

Kisli lies close to the Kanha area and has a mix of dense forest and open grasslands. The zone supports tigers, leopards, deer, gaur, wild dogs and many bird species.

Mukki Zone

Mukki is a popular entry point for Kanha safaris. The area has dense forests, bamboo patches and open stretches. It offers good chances to see tigers, gaur, sambar, chital and sloth bears.

Sarhi Zone

Sarhi offers a quieter forest setting with open meadows and dense woodland. Visitors can look for tigers, leopards, deer, gaur and other wildlife during a safari.

Buffer Zones

Kanha also has several buffer areas where visitors can take safari drives. Khatia, Khapa and Sijhora are some of the better-known buffer zones. These areas can offer wildlife sightings with fewer vehicles than some core areas.

Best Time to Visit Kanha

The best time to visit Kanha National Park is from October to June. The park remains closed for regular tourism during the monsoon. October to February: Cool weather makes safaris comfortable. The forest stays greener, and you can spot deer, gaur, birds and other wildlife. March to April: This is a good time for a tiger safari. Rising temperatures bring animals closer to water sources, which can help with tiger sightings. May to June: These are the hottest months and a good period for tiger sightings. With less water and thinner vegetation, tigers and other animals often stay near water sources.
Ant Hill in Kanha Tiger Reserve

Ideal Times for Wildlife Watching in Kanha

October and November
These months offer pleasant safari conditions after the monsoon. The forest looks green and water remains available in many areas. You can look for barasingha, chital, sambar, gaur and other herbivores.
December to February
Winter brings cool mornings and comfortable afternoons. Bird activity is good during this period. The forest also offers good opportunities to see deer, gaur and other animals during morning and afternoon safaris.
March to June
These are good months for people who want better chances of spotting tigers. Temperatures rise and animals often visit water sources. The thinning vegetation can also make wildlife easier to spot.

Kanha National Park Climate

Hanuman Langur in Kanha

Kanha has hot summers, cool winters and a monsoon season from July to September.

Summer: March to June stays hot, with temperatures reaching around 40°C to 42°C in April and May.

Winter: November to February brings cool days and cold mornings. January can see temperatures close to 1°C.

Monsoon: July to September brings heavy rainfall. Regular safari tourism remains closed during this period.

Kanha climate chart

Temperature Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min (°C) 1 10 22 30 35 25 20 19 19 12 6 3
Max (°C) 15 25 35 40 42 41 34 30 31 29 27 25

How to Reach Kanha National Park

By Air

By Air

Jabalpur Airport: Around 160 km from Kanha. It is a convenient choice for reaching the park, especially from the Khatia and Sarhi side.

Nagpur Airport: Around 300 km from Kanha. Nagpur has good flight connections with major Indian cities and works well for visitors heading towards the Mukki side.

By Road

By Road

Kanha is well connected by road with major cities in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Jabalpur, Nagpur and Raipur are the most convenient cities for reaching the park by road. Regular taxis and private vehicles can take you from these cities to Kanha.
ByRail

By Train

Jabalpur Railway Station: Around 160 km from Kanha and one of the main railway options for visitors. Nagpur Railway Station: Nagpur is a major railway junction with trains from many parts of India. From the station, you can continue to Kanha by road.
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Frequently Asked Questions