Hotels in Kanha National Park

Situated in the Maikal Hills of Satpura Range is a quaint little paradise and wildlife heaven. Kanha National Park lies in the State of Madhya Pradesh or Central India. The park has been a conservation unit since the British Raj but the focus on tiger came into picture post independence.

The National Park was declared as tiger reserve under the Project Tiger Program. Since the the reserve has never turned back on its purpose and continues to be at the forefront of tiger conservation in India. The most acclaimed accomplishment of Kanha has been the conservation of the Hard Ground Swamp Deer or Barasingha.

Kanha became popular much the concept of ecotourism flourished in India. In the early sixties and seventies it was subject to much ground breaking research by George Schaller et.el. Tourism infrastructure was lacking during the early seventies supplemented by two forest rest houses at Kanha and Kisli.

Few wildlife lovers visited Kanha then and made use of scant facilities available in the British Era accommodations. But then with greater awareness creeping of the amazing ecosystem more and more people started coming for tiger safaris here.

There was a sudden boom in appearance of tourists here in the late eighties. The accommodation crunch invited entrepreneurs to open resorts here. The first of the few then were Kipling Camp and Krishna Jungle Resort. Then places like Indian Adventure Resort and Tiger Land Hotel came into picture.

MPTDC had already established hotels at Mukki and Kisli. With the onset of greater tourist attraction more hotels and resort were built. Eventually as a conservation measure the RH accommodations in the park were closed. These were turned into interpretation centers the finest in India.

At Kanha tourism is divided into zones. These zones are allotted during the entry booking for jeep safaris. The excursion is conducted on jeep as stepping down is not allowed. A nature trail has been made separately for trekking in the park.

You can choose from the available zone. There are four zones Kanha Zone, Kisli Zone, Mukki Zone and Sarhi Zone. You have to pay higher for Kanha Zone as it is a premium zone with good habitat and tiger sightings.

Hence you have to hire an open jeep, if arrangements have not been made in advance. The jeeps are available at Khatia and Mukki Gates. The safari begins early in the morning while the evening safari starts early evening. The evening safari on Wednesday is closed.

While booking the gate entry you have to pay a prescribed amount along with guide fee. It is compulsory to hire a forest guide. You have to pay a charge for professional photography and film equipment that you carry. Personal cameras are free of charge.

The jeep hire has to be paid separately and is not included in the gate entry fee. Inside the park you cannot eat except at designated place. You can carry mineral water and breakfast with you. You should!. Toilet facility is also available at these centers in different zones.

The safari is about three hours on the average and you get to see the wonderful habitats and wild animals. You can come across tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, swamp deer, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, langur and some other animals.

Kanha is a paradise for birders. You should carry good pair of binoculars during the trip. A spotting scope can come in use as well so carry one if you have. Carry books and if possible hire a professional birding guide.

FIve Star Category

Banjar Tola (Taj Group)

Three Star Category

Kanha Village Eco Resort
Tuli Tiger Resort
Krishna Jungle Resort
S.Kumar 999 Resort
Kipling Camp
Kanha Jungle Lodge
Tiger Corridor
Celebration Van Vilas
Mowgli Resort
Royal Tiger Resort
Tigerwoods Resort
The Baagh
Wild Chalet
Dyna Resort
Sanjay Tiger Retreat
Singinawa Jungle Retreat
Mahua Tiger Retreat
Maple Bundela Tiger Retreat
Shergarh Camp
Camp Dev Vilas
Satya Asoka Resort
Flame of the Forest
Kanha Earth Lodge
Kanha Meadows Retreat
Koushyla Resort
Bundela Safari

Budget Hotel in Kanha

Motel Chandan
Panther Lodge
Mowgli Youth Hostel
Vansthali Resort
Haiwatha Resort
Maheshwar Resort
Muba at Mukki
Pug Mark Resort
Chitvan Jungle Lodge

Kanha is an ecotourism destination much visited on wildlife safaris and birding. The tourism infrastructure is well laid here and self sufficient. Food is not a problem as there are plenty of restaurants and dhabas here.

All the resorts have fine dining facilities and serve vegetarian and non vegetarian meals. Most of the accommodation are well equipped and conduct tiger safaris. Some employ naturalist guides in their service for those who wish to hire specialists. The hotels are safe but basic precautions should be taken by the occupants.

Wide open spaces give a good feel of the stay. Those based near the forests or offer sight of the forests are preferred. Many accommodation have swimming pool usually operated during the warmer climes.

The good hotels in Kanha are comfortable to the core though net necessary fancy. Comfort zone is defined by good hygienic food and modern amenities.The rooms have heaters in many resorts and a generator to be used during light failures. Food served is India and Continental usually more of Indian sometimes hot and spicy.

It is better to read reviews of the hotels before booking online. Some of the cheap hotels in Kanha are nice and clean. Do not expect much luxuries here but hot water and heater may be available. These properties do not have a generator. Meals served are hygienic and good.

All the properties organize tiger safari in the park. But since there is limit on car entries you should book in advance. You can do this at MP Online Portal or ask the hotel to do it for you.

There is one forest rest house in Kisli where accommodation is available to VIPs and Government officials. This is always booked and not available for public perhaps on special request accommodation may be granted.

For public accommodation is available at the Khatia Gate this property belongs to the forest department and is nice clean and economical. There is a dormitory and a hotel owned by the MPTDC which is good. The dormitory offer cheap package with meals but the accommodation is basic. Another hotel owned by MPTDC is situated near the Mukki Gate.

There are some other rest house owned by various government departments but not open to public.

You can book your accommodation in Kanha National Park online. Visit the company website and book there or call ask for details and send money. In all cases you should book the hotel in advance especially during the peak season.

Another way is booking through a tour operator in MP or get into a package deal. The package tours to Kanha are affordable. You can book the full itinerary of your travels in Madhya Pradesh through the agent.

Personal contact with those who have visited Kanha is a good way of booking and more reliable. This way you get the first hand account of their stay in the reserve.

The preferred route is Jabalpur to Kanha about 165 km. Jabalpur is a rail head and is connected with flight from New Delhi. The route goes through Mandla which is a small town and then to Moccha and Khatia where most of the accommodation are situated. The Mukki Gate is about thirty km further from Mocha.

Mukki gate can also be approached from Raipur in Chhattisgarh and Gondia in Maharastra. Those arriving from Nagpur can visit Pench Tiger Reserve in route and then reach Kanha.

From Kanha one can visit Pench and Bandhavgarh as desired. Pench is about five hours drive towards Nagpur. Nagpur is well connected by rail and air. Bandhavgarh is about five hours drive towards Khajuraho. Many Flights operate between Khajuraho and New Delhi.