Kanha, India: travel guide
Meadows and sal forest, the setting that inspired Kipling's Jungle Book
Kanha Tiger Reserve — inspiration for Kipling's Jungle Book, with wide meadows (maidans), Barasingha deer, and one of India's highest tiger densities.
About Kanha
Kanha is a tiger reserve and national park in the Maikal hills of Madhya Pradesh, and one of central India's best-loved wildlife areas. It is a landscape of sal forest and wide grassy meadows known as maidans, said to have inspired Kipling's Jungle Book.
Safaris leave from several zones including Kisli, Mukki, Sarhi and Kanha itself, and give a chance to see tigers, barasingha swamp deer, gaur, langurs and many birds. Bamni Dadar offers a sunset viewpoint over the plains. Because the reserve is a protected core area, the experience centres on safari drives and forest lodges.
Kanha travel suits wildlife enthusiasts and families who enjoy early starts. The park closes during the monsoon, and the cooler months from November to March, and the warm dry months after, are the main safari season.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Kanha
Kanha National Park
Wildlife · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
One of India's finest tiger reserves, the sal-and-bamboo forest and grassy maidans that inspired Kipling's Jungle Book — home to tigers, leopards and the rare barasingha.
Kisli Zone
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A core safari zone entered via Khatia gate, with classic sal forest, meadows and waterholes offering excellent tiger, gaur and deer sightings.
Mukki Zone
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A quieter, scenic core zone on the southern side of Kanha, known for tiger territories, the Banjar river and dense forest — a favourite of wildlife photographers.
Bamni Dadar (Sunset Point)
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The highest point in the park, a plateau famed for golden sunsets over the forest where sambar, gaur and barasingha graze the slopes.
Kanha Meadows (Barasingha Habitat)
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The famous open maidans of Kanha where the hardground barasingha (swamp deer) — saved from near-extinction here — graze, alongside herds of chital and gaur.
Sarhi Zone
Wildlife · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A core zone on the northern side reached via Sarhi gate, with rolling forest and grasslands offering good tiger and barasingha sightings away from the crowds.
Kanha Museum
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
An interpretive museum at Khatia tracing Kanha's ecology, the barasingha conservation success and the reserve's tiger-protection story.
Shravan Tal & Shravan Chita
Nature · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene forest pool and a clearing within the park linked to the legend of Shravan Kumar, an atmospheric stop on the safari route amid the sal woods.
Khatia Buffer Zone
Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The buffer forest around Khatia gate, where buffer-zone safaris and night-drive options offer affordable wildlife encounters and birding without a core permit.
Banjar River
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A pretty forest river along the Mukki side of Kanha, a wildlife magnet where tigers, gaur and birds gather, and a scenic backdrop for safaris.
Things to do
- Kanha Tiger Safari (Jeep) Adventure · 4 h · from INR 6,000 per person
- Buffer Zone & Night Safari Nature · 3 h · from INR 4,000 per person
- Kanha Nature Walk & Birding Nature · 2.5 h · from INR 1,000 per person
- Baiga & Gond Village Experience Cultural · 3 h · from INR 1,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kanha Tiger Safari Experience 5 h · from INR 2,500
- Full-Day Two-Safari Special 12 h · from INR 5,000
- Kanha Nature & Tribal Culture Day 7 h · from INR 1,800
Where to stay in Kanha
- National Park Gateway about INR 2,500 per night
Tiger reserve entrance with eco-lodges
Hotels
- Taj Banjaar Tola Kanha 5-star · INR 28,000 to INR 55,000 per night
- Kanha Earth Lodge 4-star · INR 15,000 to INR 28,000 per night
- Chitvan Jungle Lodge 4-star · INR 9,000 to INR 16,000 per night
- Kanha Jungle Camp 3-star · INR 5,000 to INR 9,000 per night
- Tuli Tiger Resort 3-star · INR 5,500 to INR 10,000 per night
- Baiga Tribal Homestay 2-star · INR 1,500 to INR 3,000 per night
Where to eat
- Kanha Jungle Camp Restaurant North Indian, Continental, Chinese · about INR 500 per person
- Van Vihar Restaurant North Indian, Tandoor, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
- Tiger Trail Cafe Cafe, Snacks, North Indian · about INR 250 per person
- Baghira Jungle Kitchen North Indian, Continental, Chinese · about INR 500 per person
- Mukki Gate Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Bagh Dhaba North Indian, Dhaba · about INR 200 per person
- Jungle Book Restaurant North Indian, Continental, Chinese · about INR 550 per person
- Gondwana Tribal Kitchen Tribal, North Indian, Gondi · about INR 250 per person
Getting to Kanha
Nearest airport: Khajuraho (HJR), about 286 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Offroad Vehicle
- Taxi
- Walking
More in India
Frequently asked questions about Kanha
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Kanha?
- The highest-rated places in our Kanha guide are Kanha National Park, Kisli Zone, Mukki Zone, Bamni Dadar (Sunset Point), Kanha Meadows (Barasingha Habitat).
- Where should I stay in Kanha?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Kanha: National Park Gateway.
- How do I get around Kanha?
- Ways to get around Kanha covered in our guide: Off-road vehicle, Taxi, Walking.