Source: Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barasingha_in_Kanha_National_Park_02.jpg
Kanha Tiger Reserve in the Maikal hills of Madhya Pradesh is one of India's best known safari parks, with sal and bamboo forest broken by wide meadows. It is the home of the hard ground barasingha, a swamp deer brought back from the edge of extinction here, as well as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, gaur and a rich bird life.
Safari essentials: the core is divided into the Kanha, Kisli, Mukki and Sarhi zones, entered through the Khatia, Mukki and Sarhi gates, with buffer zones around them. The core reopened on 1 October 2026 after the monsoon break and the season runs to 30 June. Safaris run in morning and afternoon shifts in open gypsies with a forest guide. Book only on the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department portal, forest.mponline.gov.in; the first weeks of the season were fully booked before opening, so plan early.
- Address: Kanha Tiger Reserve, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh
- Hours: Morning and afternoon shifts. Core zones open 1 October to 30 June. Gate times from 1 October 2026: October and November 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; December and January 6:20 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; February and March 6:10 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM; April to June 5:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
- How to Reach: Jabalpur is the usual railhead and airport, about 160 to 175 km from the Khatia and Mukki gates; Gondia and Raipur are other options for Mukki.
- Website: https://forest.mponline.gov.in
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