Kanha Tiger Reserve sits in the Maikal hills of Madhya Pradesh, almost exactly in the middle of India. That central location is part of its magic: it is far from the coastal tourist trail, wrapped in sal forest and farmland, and still feels like the India of the old natural-history books. It is also the reason first-time visitors from abroad ask the same question before anything else: how do I actually get there?
The short answer is simple. Fly into a major Indian hub, take a domestic flight or an overnight train to Jabalpur or Nagpur, then drive the last few hours by road. The longer answer, below, walks through each leg in order, with the small practical details that make the difference between an exhausting journey and an easy one.
Step 1: Fly into a major Indian hub
There is no international airport close to Kanha, so your long-haul flight will land at one of India's big gateways. The two most practical choices are:
Travellers coming from South-East or East Asia sometimes route through Bengaluru (BLR) or Hyderabad (HYD) instead, and both have domestic flights to Jabalpur.
When you compare fares, compare the whole journey rather than just the long-haul ticket. A slightly more expensive international flight that lands in the morning, with an easy same-day connection to Jabalpur, can save you a hotel night and most of a day.
Give yourself a buffer
Leave a generous gap between your international arrival and your domestic connection. Immigration queues at Indian hubs vary a lot, you will usually need to collect your bags and re-check them, and the domestic terminal may be in a different building. Many of our international guests choose to spend their first night in Delhi or Mumbai, sleep off the long flight, and fly on the next morning. It makes the first day in the forest far more enjoyable.
Remember too that domestic baggage allowances in India are often lower than international ones. Check your domestic airline's rules before you pack, particularly if you are bringing heavy camera equipment.
Step 2: Choose your nearest airport - Jabalpur or Nagpur
Two airports serve Kanha. Here is how they compare for a stay at Surwahi:
| Jabalpur (JLR) | Nagpur (NAG) | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive to Surwahi | ~160 km, about 3.5 hours | ~270 km, about 5.5 hours |
| Best for | The shortest road transfer | Wider flight choice, especially from South India |
| The drive | Farmland, villages and forest via Mandla | Longer highway stretches, then rural roads |
For most guests, Jabalpur is the better choice. The drive is shorter and genuinely beautiful, passing through the farmland and forests of the Mandla district on the way to the park. Nagpur makes sense if its flight timings work better for you, or if you are combining Kanha with Pench Tiger Reserve, which lies closer to Nagpur.
Our Getting Here guide has the current details for each route.
Step 3: Or take the train
India's railways are an experience in their own right, and many travellers from abroad love them. Jabalpur Junction (JBP) is the main railhead for Kanha and is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major cities.
An overnight train in an air-conditioned sleeper class is comfortable, safe and surprisingly restful. You board in the evening, sleep through the journey, and wake up a few hours' drive from the forest. From Jabalpur station it is roughly a 3.5-hour drive to Surwahi.
A few tips for the train:
Step 4: The road transfer
The final leg is always by road. Most guests drive from Jabalpur or Nagpur and continue via Mandla towards the park gates. Surwahi Social Ecoestate is about 21 km by road from the Khatia Gate of Kanha, in the quieter buffer-zone countryside. That means easy access to safaris without the bustle of the hotels clustered right at the gate.
We do not recommend self-driving for first-time visitors to India. Rural roads are shared with bicycles, bullock carts, cattle and village life, and the rules of the road take some getting used to. Arrange a car with an experienced local driver in advance - contact us when you book and we will help you plan the transfer.
Try to schedule the drive so you arrive in daylight. The countryside is a large part of the experience, and driving on unfamiliar rural roads after dark is best avoided.
Before you fly: visas, money, connectivity and health
Visa. Most nationalities need a visa to visit India, and many are eligible for an e-Visa that you apply for online before you travel. Rules change and differ by passport, so always check the official Indian government visa website rather than a third-party agent.
Money. India's currency is the rupee (INR). Cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some cash for tea stops, tips and small purchases on the road. At Surwahi you can pay by card, UPI, bank transfer or cash.
Staying connected. Local SIM cards and eSIM plans for visitors are widely available and usually inexpensive, and you will typically need your passport and visa to buy one. At Surwahi, Wi-Fi is available in the common areas - though we hope you will spend most of your time looking up at the trees rather than down at a screen.
Health. Visit a travel health clinic a few weeks before your trip for advice on vaccinations and any medication appropriate for central India. Drink bottled or filtered water, and pack insect repellent and sunscreen.
When to plan your trip
Kanha's core safari zones are open from mid-October to the end of June and close for the monsoon from 1 July to 15 October. Surwahi itself is open all year, and the monsoon months have their own quiet beauty - green, misty and full of birdsong.
Our best time to visit guide has the month-by-month detail, including temperatures and festivals.
Safari permits
Core-zone safari permits are limited and sell out early in peak season, so book them as soon as your dates are fixed. Foreign nationals need their passport details for the permit. Read our safari booking guide for zones and timings - and if you are staying with us, we can arrange permits for you.
A sample itinerary from abroad
We suggest staying at least three nights near Kanha. It gives you several safari drives, which matters because sightings are never guaranteed - and it gives you time to slow down, which is really the point of coming this far.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport to Kanha National Park? Jabalpur (JLR) is the most convenient, about 160 km from Surwahi. Nagpur (NAG) is the alternative, about 270 km away.
Can I fly directly to Kanha from abroad? No. International flights land at major hubs such as Delhi or Mumbai, and you connect onwards by domestic flight or train to Jabalpur or Nagpur.
How long does the whole journey take? From Delhi, allow most of a day: a domestic flight to Jabalpur and a drive of about 3.5 hours. Many guests break the journey with a night in Delhi or Mumbai after their long-haul flight.
Is it safe to travel to Kanha as a foreign tourist? Kanha has welcomed international wildlife travellers for decades. Use a reputable driver, travel by day, and follow the usual precautions you would take anywhere unfamiliar.
Plan your stay
Surwahi Social Ecoestate is an award-winning, community-run eco stay with mud-built family suites, an earthen dormitory and seasonal camping, with all meals included. Explore the stays, or send us your travel dates and we will help you plan the route from wherever in the world you are starting.
