
Kanha Tiger Reserve sits across Mandla and Balaghat districts, Madhya Pradesh, in the Maikal hills of the Satpura range — prime tiger land and the epitome of Kipling country, with sal forests of sunlight and shadow, a myriad of streams, rolling meadows, and all the wildlife imaginable.
Kanha’s tiger population stood at 105 in the 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation, the most recent officially released national census, published by the National Tiger Conservation Authority — part of Madhya Pradesh’s state total of 785, the highest of any Indian state. The sixth national census cycle began in late 2025 and is expected to report updated figures through 2027, part of the same tiger conservation story unfolding across India’s national parks; officials involved in the count have specifically flagged Kanha as one of the reserves likely to show growth this cycle, alongside newer connected reserves like Nauradehi and Sanjay Dubri.
When the park is open
Kanha is open from mid-October to 30 June, closing for the monsoon from 1 July to 30 September. Exact reopening dates are confirmed each year by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department through the official safari booking portal — we check current-season status before finalising any itinerary, so get in touch and we’ll confirm availability for your travel dates.
Weekly closures
The core zone closes for both the morning and evening safari every Wednesday; buffer zone safaris remain available on Wednesday afternoons.
Safari timings
Timings shift with the season — broadly 6:00–11:00 AM and 3:30 PM to sunset in winter, adjusting earlier in the morning and later in the evening through the hotter months. Exact gate times are confirmed on the day by our guide.
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