Kanha National Park: Safari Guide 2021

by Natue Safari India Tiger Safari and Wildlife Tours in India

Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendor which form the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). This is the original Kipling country of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book.

The forests of the Banjar valley and Halon valley, respectively forming 's western and eastern halves. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since then, a string of stringent conservation program have been launched, for the overall protection of the park's fauna and flora. boasts of about 38 species of mammals. Some of the inhabitants of this park are the gaur, the largest of the world's cattle; the sambar, the largest Indian deer; and the Chausingha, the only four-horned antelope in the world. Other frequent visitors include the Nilgai antelope, the sloth bear, the dhole, or Indian wild dog, and an occasional Leopard. Some 300 species of birds inhabit the park, that includes the storks, egrets, black ibis, raptors, owls, and the red-wattled lapwings.

Typically, every National Park is divided into 3 kinds of zones: Core, Buffer, and Reserved.

The core zone is the protected area of the jungle. It acts as a referral point on the natural state of the ecosystems represented by the biosphere reserves. Wildlife and natural resources are strictly protected by the forest department. Here’s a runthrough of all the zones at the Kanha tiger reserve.

KANHA CORE SAFARI ZONES
Core Zones	Entrance Gates (Full Safari)	Entrance Gate (Single Seat Safari)
Kanha Zone	Khatia / Mukki / Sarhi Gate	Khatia Gate
Mukki Zone	Khatia / Mukki Gate	Mukki Gate
Kisli Zone	Khatia / Mukki / Sarhi Gate	Khatia Gate
Sarhi Zone	Khatia / Sarhi Gate	Sarhi Gate

While the first three are the most visited zones by tourists, Kanha is termed as the premium zone by the forest Department, fees for which is also higher by 50%. The other three zones too, are known for excellent tiger sightings. This beast co-exists beautifully with two other large predators- the leopard and wild dogs, which are an absolute treat to watch if sighted.

25% of the Core area is open to tourists. This gives us a lot to view and explore. On a typical day, you’d go out on a safari at sunrise with a picnic breakfast, come back to the lodge for lunch and head back out for the afternoon game drive.

Clothing Tips:

DO NOT carry shiny/bright colored clothing. Instead, carry earthy colors like shades of dull green or olive green, beige, and grey. Black is also avoidable as it attracts mosquitos.
Carry comfortable, breathable clothes (cotton) in summer.
Carry layers (4-5) of thin woolen clothes rather than one heavy jacket for winter. Layers are a lot more helpful through the varying temperatures during the day.
Carry a wind cheater/rain coat just in case there is a light shower.
Carry a Cap/Hat during summer.
Avoid wearing strong perfume while on safari. Animals have a strong sense of smell and it may distract them.

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