Kanha is one of the more celebrated national parks in Madhya Pradesh, well-connected by road to Bandhavgarh and Pench and an ETG favourite. It is large and sprawling, mostly consisting of sal forest and open grasslands. Scenic qualities of this area are particularly difficult to capture in words, which is why we highly recommend you see it for yourself. Kanha is the only park in India where barasingha or swamp deer live, having been revived from being near to extinction. There is also a thriving tiger population as well as leopards and sloth bears, although they are slightly more elusive.
Cycling trips of various durations have recently been developed to enhance the park safari experience. These trips also benefit the local community by visiting villages in the buffer zone, with overnight camping available. There are some good accommodation options on offer and this is a very special chance to get a truly unique insight into tribal communities and village life around the park. With an extended stay of 5 nights, you will have a great amount of time to take in the beauty, wildlife and local village life, including a visit to the off-the-beaten-track Phen National Park, too.
Madhya Pradesh has experienced an increase in regulatory conditions for the national park regions over the last few years. These mean jeep vehicle numbers are now restricted and therefore booking as far in advance as possible is highly recommended. The best time to visit is between November and May and mid-October to mid-March, when temperatures are milder, though the middle of December through till the end of January should be avoided due to cold, misty mornings. For the real wildlife enthusiasts, the prime time to visit from March to the end of May when the weather is extremely hot, drying up watering holes and making wildlife sightings more common.
