Summary
Kanha National Park Overview
Kanha National Park is famously the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel, The Jungle Book. This park boasts lush saal and bamboo forests, lakes, streams, and open grasslands. As one of the largest national parks in India, it has a core area of 940 square kilometers (584 square miles) and an additional area of 1,005 square kilometers (625 square miles).
Renowned for its research and conservation programs, Kanha has been instrumental in saving many endangered species. Along with tigers, you can encounter barasingha (swamp deer) and a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, offering an enriching natural experience.
Location and Entry Gates
Kanha National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh, southeast of Jabalpur. The park has three main entrances. The Khatia Gate is approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) from Jabalpur via Mandla, while Mukki is around 200 kilometers via Mandla-Mocha-Baihar. Notably, you can drive through the park’s buffer zone between Khatia and Mukki gates. Sarhi Gate is located nearly 8 kilometers from Bichhiya on National Highway 12, about 150 kilometers from Jabalpur via Mandla.
Park Zones
The Khatia Gate leads into the buffer zone, while Kisli Gate provides access to the Kanha and Kisli core zones. Kanha National Park consists of four core zones: Kanha, Kisli, Mukki, and Sarhi. Historically, Kanha was the premier zone until this designation was abolished in 2016. Mukki was the second zone opened, with Sarhi and Kisli being added more recently. Interestingly, tiger sightings, once primarily in Kanha, have become increasingly common throughout the park.
The additional buffer zones include Khatia, Motinala, Khapa, Sijhora, Samnapur, and Garhi.
How to Get There
The nearest airports are in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Travel time to Kanha is about four hours from either airport, with Raipur being closer to the Mukki zone and Jabalpur nearer to Kanha.
When to Visit
The ideal times to visit Kanha National Park are from November to December and in March and April when the weather heats up and animals venture towards water sources. It is advisable to avoid the peak months of December and January, as they tend to be crowded and extremely cold, especially in January.
Opening Hours and Safari Times
Daily safaris operate from dawn until late morning, and again in the mid-afternoon until sunset. The best opportunities for animal spotting are early mornings and after 4 p.m. The park remains closed from June 16 to September 30 each year during the monsoon season, and it also closes every Wednesday afternoon, as well as on Holi and Diwali.
Fees and Charges for Jeep Safaris
The fee structure for Kanha National Park and other national parks in Madhya Pradesh was overhauled and simplified in 2016, coming into effect from October 1 when the parks reopened for the season.
Under the new structure, fees for foreigners and Indians are the same, and there is no longer a premium charge for visiting the Kanha zone.
The cost of a safari permit at Kanha National Park includes:
- Safari permit fee: 1,500 rupees for a whole jeep (seats up to six), or 250 rupees for a single seat. Children under five years of age enter free.
- Guide fee: 360 rupees per safari.
- Vehicle hire fee: 2,200 rupees per jeep, available from Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at Khatia or Kanha Safari Lodge at Mukki.
Making a Safari Booking
Bookings for safari permits across all zones can be made online via the MP Forest Department website. Single seat bookings for core zones are available online, but it’s essential to book as early as 90 days in advance due to limitations in the number of safaris offered in each zone.
Only the permit fee is charged at the time of booking. This fee is applicable for one zone, determined at the time of booking. Other charges, such as guide and vehicle hire fees, are collected at the park before the safari.
When booking, it’s possible to see how many seats are available in each zone. Some options may display a ‘W’, indicating a waitlist status. If a confirmed permit isn’t secured at least five days prior to the safari, your booking will be canceled, and a refund will be issued.
Accommodations that have naturalists and vehicles also organize safaris into the park. Private vehicles are not permitted within the park boundaries.
Other Activities
New tourism facilities have been introduced at the park, including night jungle patrols from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for 1,750 rupees per person. Elephant bathing is available daily at the Khapa buffer zone from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with costs of 750 rupees entry plus a 250 rupees guide fee.
Nature trails in buffer zones can be explored on foot or bicycle, with the Bamhni Nature Trail being particularly popular. The captivating sunset at Bamhni Dadar offers mesmerizing views of wildlife as the sun sets.
Elephant rides have generally been discontinued, but interested visitors may apply in advance to the forest department, subject to approval.
Where to Stay
The Forest Department offers basic accommodations at rest houses in Kisli and Mukki (1,600-2,000 rupees per room) and at Khatia Jungle Camp (800-1,000 rupees per room). Many of these provide options for air-conditioning. You can contact them at +91 7642 250760 or email fdknp.mdl@mp.gov.in or fdkanha@rediffmail.com.
A variety of accommodations ranging from budget to luxury are also available near Mukki and Khatia gates.
Kipling Camp, near Khatia Gate, features its own pet elephant.
Just a short distance from Khatia Gate, Courtyard House provides a private and serene atmosphere. Wild Chalet Resort offers affordable cottages along the Banjar River, while Pug Mark Resort presents economical accommodations near Khatia Gate. For an indulgent stay, consider Pugdundee Safaris Kanha Earth Lodge. Moreover, Kanha Village Eco Resort is an award-winning responsible tourism initiative.
In the vicinity of Mukki, both Kanha Jungle Lodge and Taj Safaris Banjaar Tola are luxurious and worth the investment. For a tranquil, organic farming experience, the popular Chitvan Jungle Lodge is highly recommended.
Award-winning Singinawa Jungle Lodge near Mukki highlights the region’s tribal culture and arts, featuring its own museum.
Singinawa Jungle Lodge: A Unique Tribal Experience
Recognized as the Most Inspirational Eco Lodge of the Year at the 2016 TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards, Singinawa Jungle Lodge features its own Museum of Life and Art dedicated to tribal Gond and Baiga artisans.
The lodge is nestled on 110 acres of jungle along the Banjar River. Unlike many lodges focused solely on safaris, Singinawa Jungle Lodge provides guests with their own naturalist and various activities to connect with the wilderness.
Accommodations
The lodge offers spacious, secluded accommodations consisting of 12 rustic stone and slate cottages, a two-bedroom jungle bungalow (The Wildernest), and a four-bedroom bungalow (The Perch) with its own kitchen and chef. Each cottage is uniquely decorated with wildlife art, tribal artifacts, and comforts including king-sized beds and fireplaces, offering guests a cozy retreat.
The cost for a cottage for two people, inclusive of all meals and services from a resident naturalist, is 19,999 rupees per night. The two-bedroom bungalow costs 33,999 per night, while the four-bedroom bungalow is 67,999 rupees per night. Rooms in the bungalows can be booked separately. For rates, see here.
Additionally, safaris into the national park are available at a cost of 6,000 rupees for groups of up to four.
Museum of Life and Art
The owner, Mrs. Tulika Kedia, established the Museum of Life and Art to showcase her passion for indigenous art forms. As the founder of Must Art Gallery in Delhi, she has acquired significant indigenous artworks over the years. The museum displays various works that illustrate the culture of the Baiga and Gond tribes, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, daily items, and narratives explaining the significance of tribal art.
Village and Tribal Experiences
Guests can engage with local tribes and learn about their traditional lifestyles through village visits. The Baiga tribe, one of India’s oldest, lives simply and traditionally without electricity. At night, tribe members showcase their cultural dance around a fire to earn extra income, offering guests a firsthand glimpse into their captivating culture.
Gond tribal art lessons and visits to weekly tribal markets are also available for guests.
Other Experiences
Guests can enhance their understanding of tribal culture by inviting children from the supported tribal village along on safaris. For those seeking adventure, cycling into the reserved forest to visit a Baiga village offers breathtaking views.
Additionally, Singinawa Jungle Lodge engages in conservation efforts through its foundation, and guests can participate by visiting schools or volunteering for various projects.
Children are particularly catered for with activities tailored to different age groups, ensuring an enriching experience for families.
Other activities include excursions to Phen Wildlife Sanctuary and Tannaur river beach, mingling with a community of tribal potters, visiting organic farms, birding (recording 115 species), and nature trails.
Other Facilities
When not exploring, guests can indulge in reflexology treatments at The Meadow spa or relax by The Wallow swimming pool, surrounded by nature. The lodge features spacious outdoor terraces, dining areas, an indoor bar, and a chef specializing in a variety of Indian, pan-Asian, and Continental cuisine, particularly Tandoori dishes, with a cookbook in progress.
Before departing, don’t forget to explore the lodge’s shop for unique souvenirs!
More Information
To learn more, visit the Singinawa Jungle Lodge website.
