Kanha Tiger Reserve — location and key facts
Kanha Tiger Reserve is located in the Maikal ranges of the Satpuras. The landscape is dominated by lush Sal forest and mixed forest, combining hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, and meadows that support exceptional biodiversity. Kanha is one of the original reserves of Project Tiger and is among the most well-managed tiger reserves in India. The reserve is also known for the Hard Ground Barasingha.
When is Kanha Tiger Reserve open
• Open: October 15 to June 30 — all core and buffer zones operational
• Weekly closure: Wednesday evening safari closed in core zones only. Buffer zones are not affected
Wildlife in Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha supports a strong Bengal tiger population alongside the reserve's signature species — the Hard Ground Barasingha, a rare deer species found exclusively here.
Tigers and Hard Ground Barasingha in Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha supports a strong Bengal tiger population. The reserve's signature species is the Hard Ground Barasingha, a rare deer species found exclusively here — Kanha's conservation program is credited with bringing this subspecies back from the brink of extinction.
Other mammals and birds in Kanha Tiger Reserve
The reserve also supports leopards, wild dogs (dholes), sloth bears, Indian bison (gaur), Indian pythons, jackals, and hyenas. Spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, and blackbuck are present in large numbers throughout the reserve. Over 300 bird species have been recorded.
Safari zones in Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha has four core zones — Kanha, Kisli, Mukki, and Sarhi — and three buffer zones — Khatia, Khapa, and Sijhora. Each zone is accessed through a designated entry gate — the gate you reach depends on which zone you have booked. Khatia and Mukki are the two primary entry gate hubs and serve multiple zones each.
Core Zone: Kanha
The central and most iconic zone of the reserve. Contains the famous Kanha meadows — the largest open grassland areas in the reserve where barasingha are regularly sighted. Strong tiger presence. Entry via Khatia, Mukki (morning only), or Sarhi gates.
Core Zone: Kisli
Adjacent to the Kanha zone. Dense Sal forest mixed with open areas. Consistent tiger and leopard sightings. Entry via Khatia, Mukki (morning only), or Sarhi gates for single seat.
Core Zone: Mukki
The southern core zone. Diverse terrain of forest, streams, and open areas. Good gaur and dhole sightings alongside tigers. Entry via Khatia or Mukki gates.
Core Zone: Sarhi
The eastern core zone. Mixed forest and grassland terrain. Tiger and barasingha sightings reported. Entry via Khatia or Sarhi gates.
Buffer Zone: Khatia
The buffer zone adjacent to the Khatia gate area. Open terrain with good wildlife activity. Entry via Khatia gate.
Buffer Zone: Khapa
Accessible from Mukki gate. Forest and grassland terrain with tiger and large mammal sightings.
Buffer Zone: Sijhora
Accessible from Sarhi gate. Mixed forest terrain with consistent wildlife activity.
Safari types and permits at Kanha Tiger Reserve
Safari timings at Kanha Tiger Reserve
Two safari sessions operate daily — morning and evening. Each morning session runs approximately 4–5 hours and evening session runs approximately 3 hours.
Oct 1 – Mar 31
Morning safari: 6:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Evening safari: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Apr 1 – Jun 30
Morning safari: 5:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Evening safari: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Safari types at Kanha Tiger Reserve
• Jeep (Full Vehicle): 6-seat open jeep. Entire vehicle can be booked by a group.
• Jeep (Single Seat): Individual seat booking in a shared jeep with other tourists. Guide and driver shared across the vehicle.
• Canter (Single Seat): A 20-seat open vehicle with shared booking only. It is more economical per seat.
Guide is mandatory on every safari. Guide and vehicle charges are paid separately at the gate on safari day and are NOT included in the online permit fee.
How to book a Kanha Tiger Reserve safari permit
All safari permits are booked through the official Madhya Pradesh Forest Department portal. There is no authorized alternative.
• Official Booking Portal: forest.mponline.gov.in
• Advance Booking: Opens daily at 11:00 AM for the date 120 days ahead.
• Premium Tatkal: Opens 7 days before safari date at 11:00 AM.
• Foreign National ID: Passport required at booking and at the gate. The same original ID used for booking must be carried.
Kanha Tiger Reserve safari entry fees
Fees below are permit fees. Vehicle and guide charges are paid separately at the gate.
Full Vehicle — Core
• Normal date: ₹5,280 + Portal fees
• Premium date: ₹6,600 + Portal fees
Single Seat — Core
• Normal date: ₹880 + Portal fees
• Premium date: ₹1,100 + Portal fees
Full Vehicle — Buffer
₹1,320 + Portal fees
Premium dates — weekends and selected public holidays — apply to core zones only and carry a 25% surcharge. Buffer zone has no premium surcharge. Portal fees is approx. ₹50.
Kanha Tiger Reserve safari cancellation policy
Cancellation is allowed one day before safari date, before 5:00 PM. The cancellation amount is calculated as per slab on department fees plus ₹100 cancellation charge.
• Premium Tatkal: no cancellation, reschedule, or add-on permitted under any circumstances
• Reschedule: cancellation after reschedule is not permitted
• Refund: no refund applies for cancellations due to weather, rain, or natural causes
All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.
Safari rules at Kanha Tiger Reserve
Safari conduct rules at Kanha are enforced by the forest guide assigned to every vehicle and apply to all visitors regardless of nationality.
• Wear earth-toned, neutral colors — khaki, olive, brown, or grey. White, red, and bright colors are not permitted inside the park.
• Silence is mandatory on safari. No loud music, shouting, horn blowing, or musical gadgets.
• Do not get down from the vehicle unless told by the guide. Stay seated at all times.
• Firearms, cigarettes, smoking, fire, plastic, and litter are not permitted. Feeding or teasing animals and collecting forest property are also prohibited.
• Do not apply strong perfumes or deodorants inside the park.
Photography rules at Kanha Tiger Reserve
Personal photography is permitted. Flash photography is not allowed. A Single Day Photography Shoot permit requires written permission from the Field Director and is intended for dedicated or commercial photography work.
How to reach Kanha Tiger Reserve
Jabalpur is the primary access city for Kanha Tiger Reserve — Khatia gate, the main entry point. Kanha has three main entry gates at different locations. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes and transport info below.
Kanha Tiger Reserve Access City — Jabalpur
Rail Stations: Jabalpur Junction (JBP) — 140 km from Khatia gate
Airports: Jabalpur Airport (JLR) — 150 km from Khatia gate
Bus: Jabalpur Bus Stand (ISBT)
Travel to Jabalpur (JBP) by train and hire a taxi to the zone gate. If flying, Jabalpur Airport (JLR) has scheduled services — travel onward to your gate by taxi. No direct bus services connect to the park gates.
Frequently Asked Questions — Kanha Tiger Reserve
Khatia gate reaches all four core zones — Kanha, Kisli, Mukki, and Sarhi — though the in-park drive to Mukki or Sarhi takes longer from here. If you have booked Mukki or Sarhi zone specifically, entering through the matching gate is the practical choice. Mukki gate also reaches Khapa buffer zone, and Sarhi gate also reaches Sijhora buffer zone.
All safari permits are booked through the official Madhya Pradesh Forest Department portal at forest.mponline.gov.in. Advance booking opens daily at 11:00 AM for the date 120 days ahead. There is no authorized alternative booking method.
The Hard Ground Barasingha is a rare deer species found exclusively at Kanha Tiger Reserve, and is the reserve's signature species. It is regularly sighted in the Kanha core zone's famous open meadows, the largest grassland areas in the reserve.
Core zones are closed for the Wednesday evening safari only — the Wednesday morning safari operates normally. Buffer zones are not affected by this closure and operate as usual on Wednesday evenings.
Core zones (Kanha, Kisli, Mukki, Sarhi) are the original protected forest with the highest wildlife density and carry higher permit fees. Buffer zones (Khatia, Khapa, Sijhora) surround the core, cost less to enter, have no premium-date surcharge, and are not affected by the Wednesday evening closure that applies to core zones.
Cancellation is allowed up to one day before the safari date, before 5:00 PM, with the refund calculated against the department fee slab plus a ₹100 cancellation charge. Premium Tatkal bookings cannot be cancelled, rescheduled, or modified under any circumstances, and no refund applies for cancellations due to weather or natural causes.
Jabalpur is the primary access city. Jabalpur Junction (JBP) railway station is 140 km from Khatia gate, and Jabalpur Airport (JLR) is 150 km away with scheduled flight services. No direct bus services connect to the park gates — hire a taxi from Jabalpur to your zone's gate.
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