National park · India
Kanha National Park
Enter Kanha for a morning or evening Gypsy safari (₹1,200–₹2,500) and a short jungle walk; avoid July‑mid‑Oct when the park closes for monsoon.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,940 km² (749 sq mi)749 sq mi (1,940 km²)
approximate
Established
1955
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1,940 km² (749 sq mi)749 sq mi (1,940 km²)
- Park covers about 1,940 km² (≈940 km² core, rest buffer). Figures vary by source.
- Established
- 1955
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Kanha National Park, a Tiger Reserve since 1974, protects a mix of sal‑bamboo forest, grasslands and the rare swamp deer (barasingha). It offers classic Indian safaris, birdwatching and cultural visits to nearby villages.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteTiger Reserve since 1974
Size and age
1,940 km² (749 sq mi)749 sq mi (1,940 km²) · national park since 1955
Park covers about 1,940 km² (≈940 km² core, rest buffer). Figures vary by source.
Why go
- Spot Bengal tigers and the rare swamp deer (barasingha).
- Explore the horseshoe‑shaped valley and grassland savanna.
- Combine safari with cultural visits to nearby villages.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, good wildlife sightings.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarMild, early dry season.
- AprWarm, dry, high animal activity.
- MayHot, still dry.
- JunHot, start of monsoon; park still open.
- JulPark closed for monsoon (check).
- AugClosed.
- SepClosed.
- OctReopens mid‑Oct, some trails wet.
- NovCool, dry, full wildlife visibility.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TigerOct–Jun | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Barasingha (swamp deer)Oct–Jun | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Gaur, Sambar, ChitalOct–Jun | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (peacocks, kingfishers, woodpeckers)Mar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Jabalpur (airport/railway)
Bus or taxi 3 h to park gates (Khatia 165 km (103 mi), Mukki 203 km (126 mi)).Bus or taxi 3 h to park gates (Khatia 103 mi (165 km), Mukki 126 mi (203 km)).
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Mandla (nearest town)
Local bus or shared taxi to Khatia gate (≈30 km (19 mi)).Local bus or shared taxi to Khatia gate (≈19 mi (30 km)).
1 h
From Nagpur (flight)
Fly to Jabalpur then road transfer.
≈6 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Khatia Gate (Kisli) | Main entry, Gypsy safari hub, visitor centre. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Mukki Gate | Southern entry, access to Kanha zone and villages. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Kanha Zone | Premium wildlife viewing, tiger‑friendly Gypsy routes. | Guided safari only. |
| Sarai Zone | Less‑visited, good for birdwatching. | Guided safari only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates taken from park centre (Wikidata) and gate locations; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, all zones) | INR 300–500 (≈ US$4–6) | person | Check official rates; varies by Indian/foreign visitor. |
| Gypsy safari (morning or evening) | INR 1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) | vehicle | Rates from government booking site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Safari vehicle permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹300–500≈ US$4–6
- ₹1,500–2,500≈ US$18–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Gypsy safari booking
- Required for all vehicle entries; purchase at gate or online.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the core reserve; stay in nearby villages or resorts.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking areas only.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Do not approach animals; keep distance and stay in vehicle.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kanha Village Eco Resort
Eco‑lodge 2 km (1.2 mi) from Mukki gate, basic rooms, meals included.Eco‑lodge 1.2 mi (2 km) from Mukki gate, basic rooms, meals included.
Near the park
Kipling Camp
Private jungle camp near Mocha village, offers safaris.
Near the park
Hotel Kanha
Budget hotel with safari booking desk.
Safety
Heat medium
Monsoon closure high
Lost on trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entry gates reachable by car; short walks to visitor centre.
- Gypsy safaris have low steps; not suitable for wheelchair users.
Visiting lightly
- Book safaris through official government portal to support park funding.
- Avoid souvenirs made from wildlife parts; buy locally made crafts.
- Stay in eco‑lodges that use solar power and waste‑reduction practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kanha National Park?
Entry fees are ₹300–₹500 per person (Indian vs foreign rates). Safaris cost ₹1,500–₹2,500 per vehicle; book at the gate or online.
What are the best hikes in Kanha National Park?
Guided jungle walks near Chhapri village and the short nature trail from Khatia gate are the main hikes; longer treks require a park guide.
When is the best time to visit Kanha National Park?
November to June offers dry weather and wildlife activity; the park is closed July‑mid Oct for monsoon.
Can I stay inside the park?
Camping is not allowed in the core reserve. Stay in nearby eco‑lodges or villages such as Kanha Village Eco Resort.
Do I need a guide for a safari?
Yes. All Gypsy safaris require a permit and a guide; arrange at the gate or via the government booking site.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kanha National Park
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