The nearest city to Kanha National Park is a frequently asked question by first-time visitors to the park. The nearest city helps the visitors formulate a travel plan, save time, make an itinerary, book a hotel, and avoid travelling to several different cities. Kanha Tiger Reserve is iconic for its Bengal tigers and brain-teasing wild grass, and is one of the top wildlife destinations in India. Every year thousands of tourists, both domestic and international, flock to the park for safari rides, to view the wild in their natural habitat and to learn about the conservation of the park. Because Kanha is not located next to a city, determining which is the nearest city would make the trip more enjoyable. This article, in a simple and easy-to-read format for all audiences, including school children, describes the nearest city to Kanha, the relevance of determining the nearest city, the routes to get there, the available accommodations, safari experiences, tips for prospective tourists, and more.

Location of Kanha National Park

The Kanha National Park is in the centre of India in the State of Madhya Pradesh, and the park is divided into 2 parts, one in the Mandla district and one in the Balaghat district. The park has dense forest and wide grasslands and has a lot of streams and rivers. Some parts of the park are plateaus, with a few open meadows. The park is a great place for many kinds of animals and is a great place for hunting for leopards and tigers. There is also barasingha, which is a type of swamp deer, and other animals. The park's forest is also home to seasonal deciduous trees, which are trees that lose their leaves in the dry season. Also, the park is home to a lot of culture. The park inspired Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, which makes the park popular with animal lovers and book lovers.

Closest City to Kanha National Park

Mandla is the closest city to Kanha Tiger Reserve, being about 50 kilometres and roughly an hour away from the main entrances, which are the Kanha Gate and Mukki Gate. Mandla is also the primary gateway city to the national park. As a result of the infrastructure for travellers, Mandla is a good place to stay for those visiting the park to do early morning and late evening safaris. During those times, the chances of spotting tigers and other wildlife are much higher. Although Jabalpur is much bigger and is more convenient for accessing the airport, providing a greater selection of accommodations, and access to long-distance trains, it is positioned about 160 kilometres from the park. In comparison, Mandla is much more convenient for accessing the park. Mandla and Jabalpur combine to provide a smooth and comfortable safari experience at Kanha.

Why Mandla and Jabalpur Are Important for Visitors

Mandla and Jabalpur hold significance for visitors to Kanha National Park. Mandla offers a simple small town atmosphere, with basic accommodation, food services, and transportation services. It is targeted at those wanting to be close to the park, including families, students, and those going on a safari for the first time. Jabalpur, on the other hand, has big hotels and fancy hotels, and has a big railway and the closest airport. It is the best base for international tourists or those coming from a long drive. Both towns have safari booking offices and guides, as well as taxis and other basic services like hospitals, banks, and markets. Mandla or Jabalpur as a base for tourists means they can plan their safaris, meals, and travel as easily as they can.

How To Reach Kanha National Park?

There are varied ways to reach Kanha Tiger Reserve, depending on mode and distance.

How to Reach Kanha National Park by Airways?

Jabalpur Airport is about 160 kilometres (99 miles) from the park and is the closest airport. Jabalpur has flights from and to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, and Hyderabad. Visitors after landing can hire taxis or buses to Kanha. If coming from Chhattisgarh or the eastern part of India, then Raipur Airport, which is about 250 kilometres (155 miles) is also an option.

How to Reach Kanha National Park by Railways?

The nearest railway stations are Jabalpur at 160 km (99 miles) and Gondia at 145 km (90 miles) from Kanha. These stations are also connected to the major cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Nagpur. From the stations, visitors can hire taxis, shared jeeps or even hotel pickups to reach the park entrances.

How to Reach Kanha National Park by Roadways?

From Jabalpur, Mandla, and Balaghat, Kanha Tiger Reserve can be accessed via good tar roads. The distance from Jabalpur is 160 km (99 miles), which is about a 3-4 hour drive. From Mandla, it is only 50 km (31 miles), about 1.5 to 2 hours. The roads are a treat to the eyes as they pass through forests, rivers, and villages. There are government buses as well as private taxis accessible to the public. Private vehicles, however, are more convenient for those wanting to explore the surroundings, and for families and tourists to visit the National Park.

Staying Near Kanha National Park

Mandla is the nearest city to Kanha which is why the majority of tourists choose to stay there. Accommodations located in Mandla enable guests to easily reach safari gates, which is especially helpful for very early morning safaris that are scheduled before the break of dawn. In Mandla, there are hotels, resorts, and guest houses that offer basic to mid-range accommodations as well as safari pickup and drop-off services. Wild lodges in Mandla, which are located near the head of the park, still depend on Mandla for transport, food, and other services. Though hotels and train/flight access quicken the journeys from Jabalpur and Mandla, the drive from Jabalpur to the Park will be longer than from Mandla. Jabalpur and Mandla also provide food, guides, and safari support.

Safari Experience From Mandla or Jabalpur

Mandla and Jabalpur provide immediate access to all Kanha National Park zones. Hence, visitors are free to schedule as many safaris as they wish. The forest department organises all safaris, assigning each vehicle to a designated driver and guide. When visitors are more rested, they are more likely to be willing to watch the various wildlife, such as the tigers, leopards, barasingha, deer, and wild dogs, as well as the large number of birds. Families, enthusiastic students, and naturalists will all find this to be a great experience, as staying further away increases the distance and the number of rides taken, enhancing the overall experience.

Safety and Comfort in Mandla and Jabalpur

Mandla and Jabalpur are welcoming and safe cities. There are police stations, banks, and hospitals that support staff and forest rangers and provide a safe place to relax and enjoy. The local community is accustomed to travellers and will assist them if needed. Everyone from families, students, solo travellers, and international travellers will find a place to stay. For a safe and stress-free wildlife experience, some basic safety precautions, such as safeguarding your belongings and following forest guidelines during safaris, should be undertaken.

Best Time To Visit Kanha National Park

Kanha is accessible to visitors from October to June. For good weather that is comfortable for safaris, October to March is best. Sightings of wildlife are more frequent in the mornings and the jungles are full of vegetation. March to May is good for spotting tigers, since the weather is hotter and the wildlife is active near the water. The park is closed for the rainy season from July to September. The forest roads are very slippery during the rains and the wildlife are sheltered.

Why Choosing the Closest City Makes a Difference

If you choose Mandla or Jabalpur to be your base city, it will enhance your Kanha National Park experience significantly. Being close to the park means that you will have to travel less, feel less fatigued, and be able to partake in more than one safari without needing to rush. Additionally, it indicates that families, students, and first-time wildlife tourists will face less complex planning. When visitors are near the park, they will have the opportunity to shift their focus from extensive travel to what truly matters, such as wildlife, nature, and photography. It is the advice of professionals and experienced travellers that these are the recommended cities when planning for a Kanha safari.

Conclusion

Mandla is the closest city to Kanha National Park, at about 50 km away. While, Jabalpur is 160 km away. Each city offers travel necessities, including hotels, transport services, safari bookings, and other essential needs. If you prefer a city experience close to nature, you should consider Mandla. On the other hand, if you want a city experience that includes flight amenities and urban facilities, Jabalpur is more suitable. From these base cities, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most famous wildlife reserves in India.