Madhya Pradesh · India
Kanha
The vast sal-and-bamboo tiger reserve that inspired Kipling's Jungle Book — grasslands and forest along the Banjar and Halon valleys, famed for tigers and the rare barasingha it saved from extinction.
Kanha is jungle Madhya Pradesh: jeep safaris across the Kanha, Kisli and Mukki zones, the Bamni Dadar sunset point, the swamp-deer meadows, tribal Gond and Baiga culture, and hearty Mahakoshal food.
Plan your trip
Kanha Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Kanha Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Safari permit
Bamni Dadar
- Best timeLate afternoon into sunset, when the low sun turns the forest canopy gold.
- ColorsOliveRustBrown
Medium crowdEntry Safari permit
Kanha Meadows
- Best timeEarly morning, when mist hangs over the grass and the barasingha herds graze in soft light.
- ColorsOliveKhakiBrown
Low crowdEntry Nominal
Kanha Museum
- Best timeLate morning, after the morning safari, when the galleries are quiet and you can take your time.
- ColorsOliveCreamBrown
High crowdEntry Safari permit & jeep
Kanha National Park
- Best timeEarly morning, when the forest is cool, the light is soft and animals are most active along the tracks.
- ColorsOliveKhakiBrown
Low crowdEntry Safari permit
Shravan Taal
- Best timeEarly morning, when the water is still and deer and birds come down to drink.
- ColorsOliveKhakiForest green
For the feed
Trending Wear in Kanha
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Kanha Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Kanha
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Kanha
Representative photoBanjar Valley Café
Khatia
Representative photoKanha Jungle Camp Dining
Khatia gate
Representative photoKhatia Gate Dhaba
Khatia
Representative photoMukki Gate Restaurant
Mukki
About Kanha
Kanha Tiger Reserve covers the sal and bamboo forests of the Maikal hills in eastern Madhya Pradesh, across Mandla and Balaghat districts. Kanha became a national park in 1955 and was one of India's first nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger in 1973. Wide meadows break up the forest, and they are home to the hard-ground barasingha, a deer the park saved from extinction. Only about 66 were left in 1970, and today there are close to a thousand.
Kanha is a park rather than a town, with lodges and villages spread around its gates. Most visitors enter through the Khatia gate for the Kisli and Kanha zones, or the Mukki gate for the Mukki zone, and see the forest on morning and afternoon jeep safaris. Between drives, visit the park museum, see a Gond or Baiga village with a local guide, and eat simple Madhya Pradesh food like poha jalebi and dal bafla near the gates.
Questions
Kanha — FAQ
What is Kanha famous for?
Kanha is famous for its tigers, its sal forests and meadows, and the hard-ground barasingha, which survived here after it had disappeared everywhere else. The barasingha is Madhya Pradesh's state animal and the model for the park's mascot, Bhoorsingh. Kanha is also often linked with Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.
How many days are enough for Kanha?
Plan 2–3 days, which gives you time for three or four safaris and a fair chance of good sightings. Try to book at least two different zones, and add a day if you want time for the museum or a village visit.
What is the best time to visit Kanha?
The core zones are open from October to June and close for the monsoon from July to September. November to February is cool and comfortable, though dawn safaris can be freezing, while April to June is very hot but often good for sightings near water. See the best time to visit Kanha for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Kanha?
Jabalpur, with an airport and a major railway station, is the closest city: the Khatia gate is about 160 km away by road via Mandla. Raipur is about 210 km from the Mukki gate, and Nagpur is about 220 km from the Khatia gate. The last stretch is always by road, so hire a car or ask your lodge to arrange a transfer.
How do I book a safari in Kanha?
Book your permit on the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department's official portal, forest.mponline.gov.in, choosing a zone, a date and a morning or afternoon slot. Permits are limited and can sell out early for holidays, and several private websites look official, so check the address. Carry the original ID you used when booking.