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Kanha National Park is located in the remote Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, in central India. The park offers some of India's best tiger viewing, amongst a plethora of other mammal and bird species.

Topography

Created in 1955, Kanha covers an area of 1,940 square kilometres at an altitude of between 600 and 900 metres. It consists of a horseshoe-shaped valley, with the Surpan River meandering through the grassland that covers an extensive plateau. Steep rocky escarpments created by spurs of the Mekal Hills, offer breathtaking views of the valley, and the forests of the Banjar and Halon valleys form the western and eastern halves of Kanha Tiger Reserve.

Kanha wildlife

The forests of Kanha were the setting for Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book' and the reserve has long been famous for its wildlife. Of India’s various tiger reserves, there are few places where can you see these magnificent creatures as regularly as in Kanha. The grasslands and deciduous forests supports over 25 species of mammals, such as spotted, sambar and barking deer, rhesus macaque, wild boar, golden jackal, three of India’s four lowland antelopes – nilgai, four-horned antelope (chowsingha) and blackbuck – and occasionally leopard, gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, Indian wolf and dhole (Indian wild dog). One of the book’s iconic characters, Kaa, is based on the Indian rock python which can reach lengths of up to six metres and a host of other reptiles can be found here, including the Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, fan throated lizard and Indian krait. The most striking natural feature is the grassy meadows, where you can see many of the various species of deer and antelope. It would come as no great surprise to see Mowgli himself padding barefoot along a dusty trail!

The definitive species, however, is the barasingha, or swamp deer. Kanha has the last population of hard-ground barasinghas, whose numbers exceed 350, which inhabit large tracts of grassland amidst forests of teak and bamboo. They faced extinction over 20 years ago, but a series of conservation initiatives has helped save them, and the air now fills with their rutting calls. During the cool winter, the meadows teem with barasinghas, and any tiger activity causes their husky alarm calls to ring through the jungle.

Birds of Kanha National Park

More than 220 bird species have been recorded here, delighting bird watchers including Indian roller, racket-tailed drongos, crested serpent eagles, painted partridge, shaheen falcon, golden oriole and the omnipresent red jungle fowl. Waterholes and high plateaux are excellent spots for bird watching, in addition to being quiet places to immerse one’s self in the peace of the jungle. You can also find Malabar pied hornbill, purple and pond herons, little green bee-eater, rose ringed parakeet, black rumped flameback woodpecker, spotted owlet and brown fish owls.

Wildlife watching in Kanha National Park

All wildlife viewing is by jeep, and at the park gate a local guide is allocated to accompany every game drive. Jeeps are free to follow their own route along tracks through the park, using pugmarks and alarm calls to help spot predators.

How to get to Kanha

The park is open from mid-October to June and closes during the monsoon period. The park museum is closed on Wednesday. The easiest way to reach Kanha is to fly to either Jabalpur or Nagpur, followed by a road transfer (175 kilometres or 265 kilometres respectively). Transfer times are dependent on road conditions, which vary considerably. Overnight trains run from Agra/Delhi to Jabalpur and take 15–16 hours.

View suggested itineraries

Key info

  • Ideal for viewing: Asiatic jackal, barasingha, Indian gazelle, nilgai, tiger
  • Where: Madhya Pradesh State, India

Wildlife trips

This wildlife location is featured in the following itineraries:

Tiger, Tiger

Journey into central India in search of the majestic Bengal tiger across Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks. These locations are some of the best places in the country to observe these unmistakable felines, and a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal provides the perfect culmination to any trip to the subcontinent. Find out more about Tiger, Tiger

  • Price (inc. flights): 16 days from £6,395
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • A
    • O
    • N
    • D

India’s Big Five

This wide-ranging trip provides a chance to see all five of India’s big mammal species: Asiatic lion, leopard, tiger, elephant and one-horned rhino. It visits three contrasting national parks: Sasan Gir in vibrant Gujarat, Kanha in Madhya Pradesh, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kaziranga in alluring Assam. Find out more about India’s Big Five

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £4,995
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
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India’s Tigers, Snow Leopards and Red Pandas

Visiting the forest clad hills of Singalilia National Park for red panda, the snow-capped mountains of Ladakh for snow leopard and the teak forests and grasslands of Kanha National Park for tiger, this is the ultimate wildlife trip to India and Nepal for mammal, big cat and nature enthusiasts. Find out more about India’s Tigers, Snow Leopards and Red Pandas

  • Price (inc. flights): 22 days from £8,745
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
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Jungles, Tigers & Taj

India is an ideal destination for families. Who hasn’t read The Jungle Book and not dreamed about coming across a tiger in its luxuriant jungle? Imagine seeing a sloth bear, bathing with an elephant, or canoeing down a jungle river? And, for a grand finale, there’s the majestic, unsurpassable Taj Mahal. Find out more about Jungles, Tigers & Taj

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £3,695
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
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Tigers in Luxury

Experience India’s natural jewels of Panna, Bandhavgarh and Kanha. These prolific parks and tiger reserves have the most exquisite properties, offering a personal and exclusive service, and vehicle safaris provide you with exciting encounters with some of the finest wildlife to be found in the country. Find out more about Tigers in Luxury

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £6,595
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
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Ultimate Tiger Safari

Our relaxed two-centre group tour focuses on India’s most iconic mammal – the magnificent Bengal tiger. We spend time in two national parks, offering the best chance of sighting tigers: Bandhavgarh, which reputedly has the highest density of tigers in India, and then the beautiful reserve of Kanha. Find out more about Ultimate Tiger Safari

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £4,495
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
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Kanha Photo Safari

One of the most iconic Indian reserves, Kanha, in the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is arguably the finest for encountering tiger as well as a variety of intriguing species. Kanha is home to one of the largest tiger populations in India making it the perfect setting for this photo safari. Find out more about Z) Kanha Photo Safari

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £4,095
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
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    • N
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Red Pandas & Tigers Photography

Join acclaimed wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt in search of the endearing and elusive red panda in the spectacular wilderness of Singalila National Park, on the Indian-Nepalese border, before travelling to Panna National Park to photograph iconic Indian mammals such as the majestic tiger. Find out more about Z) Red Pandas & Tigers Photography

  • Price (inc. flights): 18 days from £7,895
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • F
    • M
    • A
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Suggested accommodation options are shown below. Please contact us for further recommendations.

Banjaar Tola

Nestled on the banks of the Banjaar River, in the heart of Kanha National Park, this elegant and intimate lodge is uniquely designed in the style of the Bastar and Dogra art. Consisting of two luxury camps, each suite has its own sitting area and swimming pool, creating a very personal feel. Find Out More about Banjaar Tola

Flame of the Forest

Nestled beside the Banjar River on the Kisli side of the Kanha National Park, this intimate lodge has stunning views over the river and deep into the jungle. Four luxurious safari cottages are constructed in traditional styles with all comforts, and candlelit bush dinners will leave you with fond memories. Find Out More about Flame of the Forest

Kipling Camp

Established by a family of conservationists in 1982, Kipling Camp is one of India’s oldest wildlife camps, a truly magical environment from which to explore neighbouring Kanha National Park and its wildlife-rich waterholes. An ideal base for families, the camp is home to Tara, the world’s most famous Asian elephant. Find Out More about Kipling Camp

Shergarh Camp

Nestling on the edge of Kanha National Park, this camp is an oasis of tranquility with six spacious canvas tents set in young woodland. Overlooking a pool fed by two natural springs, you can expect to see a variety of birdlife, including kingfishers, cormorants and hundreds of egrets. Find Out More about Shergarh Camp

Singinawa Jungle Lodge

Singinawa Jungle Lodge offers unique accommodation in the heart of Kanha National Park, with 12 tastefully designed cottages, set in 40 hectares of grasslands, together with a spa and swimming pool. Enjoy jeep safaris with the in-house naturalist guides in search of India’s spectacular wildlife. Find Out More about Singinawa Jungle Lodge

Tuli Tiger Corridor

This exclusive property lies in the western region of Kanha National Park, and is perfect for any wildlife enthusiast who enjoys a touch of class. Eight elegant tents each have a king size bed, air conditioning, private dining lounge, minibar and contemporary bathroom, with superb river views from the deck. Find Out More about Tuli Tiger Corridor

Tuli Tiger Resort

Tuli Tiger Resort is conveniently located a few minutes drive from Kanha National Park’s Kisli gate. The lodge offers 26 spacious air conditioned rooms in separate village-style cottages, and twice daily game drives into the park. Resident naturalists are on hand to answer questions about the area's wildlife. Find Out More about Tuli Tiger Resort

Wild Chalet Resort

Perched on a bank of the Banjar River, on the periphery of Kanha National Park, this small lodge makes an ideal base for exploring. Accommodation consists of charming cottages with tiled roofs, and there are local naturalist guides to lead jungle safaris, nature walks and bird watching outings. Find Out More about Wild Chalet Resort