In the heart of Madhya Pradesh lies Kanha, a pristine wilderness that once inspired Rudyard Kipling’s timeless “The Jungle Book”. Here, lush meadows, towering sal forests, and misty mornings set the stage for unforgettable encounters with the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. Explore the vast 940 sq. km Kanha National Park in ultimate comfort — whether on a private jeep safari led by expert naturalists or with the charm of a traditional elephant-back ride.
With Flying Squirrel Holidays’ bespoke Kanha tour itineraries from the UAE, enjoy luxury jungle lodges, curated gourmet dining, and personalised experiences that turn your safari into a story worth telling.
One of India’s largest and most celebrated reserves, Kanha National Park is a living masterpiece, a tapestry of emerald sal forests, whispering grasslands, and crystal-clear streams. Across its 940 sq. km expanse thrives an astonishing diversity of life, including herds of graceful spotted and barking deer, elusive leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, honey badgers, and the unrivaled majesty of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
From the comfort of a private luxury jeep or the regal sway of an elephant-back safari, witness nature unfold in her most unguarded moments. Observe tigers on a morning prowl, swamp deer grazing in golden meadows, and rare birds silhouetted against Kanha’s vermillion sunsets at Bamni Dadar. Each excursion is a curated encounter, blending adventure with elegance.
Beyond its wildlife, Kanha is an ode to conservation. It played a pivotal role in reviving the near-extinct Barasingha, or Swamp Deer. Explore its four distinctive zones, Kanha, Kisli, Mukki, and Sarhi, each offering unique landscapes and intimate wildlife encounters. Between safaris, enjoy private museum tours, guided nature walks, and elegant al fresco dining under a starlit sky.
October to June offers optimal wildlife sightings, with the winter months providing crisp, clear skies and serene landscapes.
Direct flights to Nagpur or Raipur from Dubai and Abu Dhabi followed by private luxury transfers make the journey seamless and comfortable.
UAE Nationals: Visa‑on‑Arrival (VoA) is available at nine major Indian airports (including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Calicut, Ahmedabad) for UAE passport holders who have previously obtained an Indian visa (e‑Visa or regular visa). The VoA can be used for tourism, business, conferences, or medical purposes and is usually valid for up to 60 days with double entry.
For first‑time visitors: UAE nationals who have never before held an Indian visa will need to apply for an e‑Visa or regular visa in advance rather than rely on VoA.
UAE Residents: e-Visa or visa-on-arrival options available for short-term stays
Step into the wild just as Rudyard Kipling once imagined and let Kanha’s magic claim you.
Every detail of your Kanha journey from the UAE is meticulously curated, from handpicked luxury lodges and gourmet dining to seamless transfers and expert naturalist guides. Whether visiting in the summer for higher tiger-sighting probabilities or in crisp winters wrapped in soft pashminas, Kanha delivers a safari that is not merely a journey but a story you carry for life.
Did you know that apart from the rich wildlife in Kanha National Park, there are more than 100 villages within the buffer zone of the park? Home to the Baiga and Gond tribes, the houses are painted with vibrant colours of the tribe that makes them perfect for photographs and cultural appreciation. It is a family-friendly tour and is a good opportunity to teach the young ones about the local tribal cultures. With the help of an expert guide, one can reach out to the tribes and hear stories of the wild as well as explore what they have to offer people coming in from outside.
Maintained by the Forest Department, this museum is situated within the Kanha National Park and is home to a wide variety of animal specimens as well as the rich culture with a history behind the birth of the reserve and before. It is open from 09:00am till 07:00pm throughout the year. This is perfect for families or ardent zoophiles as well as history or culture lovers.
The park is usually open only from October to June end. If you’re considering going for tiger sightings, it is usually suggested to go during summer i.e., March to May. However, keep yourself routinely updated by using the Tiger Sighting Index or TSI for short sighting details in Kanha. It is okay to go during December to January as well, as this would coincide with bird-watching, and you can hit two birds with one Kanha tour.
Private Safaris
Step into the untamed elegance of Kanha National Park with a bespoke private safari designed for discerning travellers. From the plush interiors of your exclusive 4x4, drive through sal forests and golden meadows in search of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger.
Pause for gourmet refreshments served in the wilderness, listen to the symphony of bird calls at dawn, and witness Choti Mada’s realm bathed in the warm glow of a Central Indian sunset. Every moment is curated for comfort, exclusivity and an intimate connection with nature’s finest theatre.
Jungle Safaris/Jeep Safaris
Perfect for a large group of friends or family, there are Gypsy safari services available at the park that takes you into the lush green enclosure with the help of an expert guide. Enjoy wildlife against the dense setting of the bamboo trees and the sal forest.
The park is home to a number of animals, flowers, trees and even tribal groups such as the Baiga and Gond tribes.
The Gypsy usually follows a predetermined route from early morning to afternoon, due to which it largely leaves the animals undisturbed making it perfect for avid photography lovers.
It is prohibited to get out of the vehicle and interact with an animal or provide it food, so instead sit back, get your camera ready and relax. Enjoy possible sights of wild dogs to swamp deer to Royal Bengal Tigers at the Kanha tiger reserve in their natural habitat.
To visit Madhya Pradesh and not explore Kanha National Park would be a bad decision. Keep in mind that Kanha National Park usually remains closed on every Wednesday.
Moreover, there are four zones one can select a safari from, three normal zones, i.e., Mukki, Sarhi & Kisli and one premium zone, i.e., the Kanha Gate. Mukki zone is considered to be the second main entry. Here tiger sightings and swamp deer sightings used to be rare, but due to the constant and appreciated efforts of the Kanha national park, the sightings are a lot more common.
Elephant Safaris
Perfect for adventurous couples, individuals or families looking for a more Jungle book themed safari, the riding on the back of a gentle giant is the way to go. Unlike jeep safaris, elephant safaris can take you places where the jeep cannot traverse.
It is safe and the elephants are accompanied by trained professionals throughout the duration of the safari. This wildlife safari would be one to boast about as these will create beautiful memories filled with sights of various trees, animals and birds.
Keep in mind that when it comes to Elephant safaris, you have to book a month in advance as well as get permission from the Field Director of the park.
Camping
Turn your trip to Kanha National Park by a notch and camp under the stars. Perfect for storytelling and creating memories, you can sit around a well-maintained bonfire to share this with your family, friends or your loved ones.
There are various campsites that are situated at the fringes of the Kanha National Park, so pick one of your choices and get closer to nature.
Explore private sightseeing options by choosing either a jeep safari or an elephant safari. Witness wild animals in their natural habitat and see them interact with each other. Wild animals such as the famous Royal Bengal Tiger or the Swamp deer can be seen roaming around against the rich backdrop of the sun-kissed trees and green. Spy a wild dog or two, or go bird-watching with our expert guides who can assist you with naming and spotting.
Pretend you’re the famous Australian crocodile hunter Steve Irwin with your kids and narrate what you see to create a fun memory of your family or bring a DSLR and immortalise the beautiful sights of what you see, so you can share the beauty with others as well. Witness the bountiful efforts of the tribal people and the forest management in maintaining the wonderful Kanha national park ecosystem.
Both summer and winter are good to visit the Kanha National Park. In summer temperatures can rise so make sure to use sunscreen and carry water in non-disposable bottles during summer. During winter, temperatures can go down to below or stagnate at 30 degrees, so if you’re prone to the cold a little, it wouldn’t hurt to carry an extra jacket or two.
Kanha National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, but there are both the infamous and famous animals the park is known for housing.
Ranging from named tigers to swamp deer to wild dogs, the park provides you with a rich National Geographic styled experience. Some of the animals you’d see would include:
Swamp deer or Barasingha: What used to be at the helm of extinction, swamp deer or the jewel of Kanha were victims of poaching or game due to their beautiful skin and striking horns. But thanksto the efforts madeby bothlocals and the forest management, the park is able to successfully conserve this beautiful animal. You can see them grazing at the beautiful grassy meadows during private sightseeing or jeep safaris.
Wild Dogs of Kanha: Being a highly social animal, this charming wild dog hunts in large groups alongside their adorable puppies. It is referred to as Dhole in India.
They tend to hunt smaller prey and have been seen to possibly fight large animals like tigers in large groups if provoked. They were a hot topic in Rudyard Kipling's book, although his mention of them was a bit exaggerated by stating that they run their prey to death.
Witness their charming appearance in one of the safari trips provided by the Kanha tour packages.
Famous Tigers of Kanha: Nak kata, Choti Mada and Munna are three of the most well-known Royal Bengal Tigers of Kanha National Park.
These are a couple of old tigers that are usually easy to sight with their trademark appearances. When it comes to Nak Kata, the dominant male tiger, you can see the infamous scar on his face and his ferocious appearance making him look like something straight out of a Lion King movie.
Choti Mada is a tigress who is known to be rather timid and friendly and is usually seen around the Bishanpur Meadows. Munna is treated as the most famous Royal Bengal Tiger in the park.
He has markings of the word CAT on his forehead and can be seen hanging around Naktighati or Chhattapathara.
Exotic bird sightings: A wide array of birds can be seen at Kanha national park. This is a bird-watchers paradise. One can see birds from vultures to Tickell’s flowerpecker to Sarus Crane, all in their natural habitat.
The best seasons to go for bird watching would be during the winter season, as a lot of migratory birds visit India during this time. Carry a binocular and you’ll be set for the day.
Day 1
Welcome to Kanha National Park. Our assigned guide will await your arrival at Madhya Pradesh from Jabalpur or Katni, to welcome you. You will be taken to one of the assigned resorts to check in and relax for the afternoon. Feast on the complimentary local cuisines prepared for lunch and brace yourself for a private jeep safari in the evening.
Grab your camera and a few bottles of water, our guide will take you to a predetermined zone and take you through the safari from there. Witness nature and the wild against the backdrop of the setting sun. You will then be taken back to the resort to have a relaxing evening and a good dinner.
Day 2
This time explore the Kanha National Park in the afternoon. You will be taken for sightseeing and given private tours in a different zone to explore the other varieties of flora and fauna the area has to offer.
You will be taken to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger sighting areas. Towards the night you will be taken back to the resort to unwind from the adventurous day.
Day 3
After breakfast, you will be taken to a nearby campsite. After check-in, you will be taken to the next safari site where you'll be able to ride elephants and explore the wild, the Jungle Book way. Witness nature in the way it was intended to be seen.
These gentle giants are comfortable and trainers would be there round the clock to ensure maximum safety. For a night under the stars and to unwind near a bonfire with some good food, you'll be checked in back at the camp.
Day 4
The museum remains open from 09:00am. So soon after breakfast, you will be taken to the museum to see animal specimens as well as the rich culture and history of the local tribes in the area. Witness history in the making of Kanha. Exploring this would usually take an hour and a half. After eating lunch at one of the local restaurants of your choice as part of the Kanha tour packages, you will be taken to the villages.
Here you can interact with some of the locals as well as see their vibrant artwork as well as culture displayed throughout the village. Perfect for some photography as well as gaining knowledge of the local tribe, this makes a perfect day to trek around the village and learn more about Kanha in detail. At the camp during the night, sit around a bonfire and share a story or two, make friends or have fun with your family.
Day 5
Say bye to Madhya Pradesh and Kanha National Park as you check out of the campsite. You will be taken to the airport after bidding bye and having some mouth-watering breakfast. Bid farewell. We hope you enjoyed the trip.
Please email me a copy of the sample itinerary
What is the best time to visit Kanha National Park?
The best time to visit Kanha National Park would be anytime between March to May, if you’re a fan of summer and would like to see comparatively more tiger sightings. Carry non-plastic water bottles and remember to rehydrate. If you’re not a big fan of the summer, winter is a good time to visit as well, since this is when the migratory birds decide to swoop in. Tiger sightings are common during this season as well but are less frequent. Monsoon is not recommended usually as the roads can get extremely muddy.
Which zone is best in Kanha?
For best tiger sighting zones, it is usually recommended to take one of the three zones- Kisli, Mukki or Sarhi zone. These zones are also home to other wild flora and fauna.
What is Kanha National Park famous for?
Its tiger reserves and the conservation of the once-endangered deer population is what the park is known for. With local tiger celebrities as well as the rich historic tribes, Kanha National Park is famous for housing all these in this span of land. It is home to tons of species of flora as well as a variety of bird species that you would otherwise not see elsewhere.
Is Kanha National Park worth visiting?
The answer is easy, yes, it is. If you would want to be in your personal Rudyard Kipling adventure, why wait, ride in a jeep or on the back of a gentle giant and explore the wilderness. Witness the animals against the backdrop of vermillion-coloured skies as the sun sets over the sunset point. All within an easy budget.
How many tigers are there in Kanha?
It is estimated that the population of Bengal Tigers is around 131.
Imagine a budget-friendly trip to one of the best-kept nature reserves Madhya Pradesh has to offer, Kanha National Park. With over 1000 types of flora and not to mention the varieties of fauna, such as the great Bengal Tiger or the Swamp Deer to varieties of Birds, all of which can be explored in the comfort of a jeep safari or an elephant safari. Dine under the stars at Kanha and interact with the local tribal people all tailor-made into a package offered by the Flying Squirrel Holidays.
Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates and freshest offers!
connect with us at +97152 267 4399
or write to us at connect@flyingsquirrelholidays.com
