Peak Season
Kanha National Park in December
Madhya Pradesh, India
December mornings in Kanha start in fog that burns off to reveal tigers stretched in meadow sunshine. It's the month that sells every wildlife calendar.
The December story
Peak season, peak magic. If you're booking Kanha for the first time, December is the safest bet you'll ever make.
Why December scores 5/5
Weather
Peak season — cold mornings, prime wildlife
Roads & Access
self drive: Any car to Khatia. Inside park by authorized jeep only.. road condition: NH30 good. Last 30km single lane but paved.. public transport: Flights to Jabalpur. Local buses/shared jeeps to Khatia gate.. from nearest city: Jabalpur→Kanha: 160km 4hrs via NH30. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: SDRF Madhya Pradesh. helpline: MP Tourism: 0755-2774340. ambulance: 108 (limited reliability in forest area). police station: Khatia. nearest hospital: Mandla District Hospital (80km)
Network
VI: No, JIO: Yes, BSNL: No, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Jio and Airtel work at gate areas. BSNL patchy. No signal deep inside forest.
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Jeep safari is thrilling for kids, Barasingha (swamp deer) herds in open meadows — easy spotting, Nature guides explain Jungle Book connections, Resorts have gardens and play areas
Elevation
600m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓families
- ✓first-timers
- ✓photographers
- ✓couples
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗budget-travellers
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5/5 | Peak season — cool mornings, tigers at waterholes |
| February | 5/5 | Peak season — excellent sightings, comfortable weather |
| March | 4/5 | Good sightings, warming up |
| April | 4/5 | Hot but excellent sighting odds |
| May | 3/5 | Hot, park closing soon |
| June | 3/5 | Last month before closure, extreme heat |
| July | 1/5 | PARK CLOSED — monsoon |
| August | 1/5 | PARK CLOSED — monsoon |
| September | 1/5 | PARK CLOSED — monsoon |
| October | 4/5 | Park reopens — lush green, fewer crowds |
| November | 5/5 | Peak season begins — perfect conditions |
| Decemberviewing | 5/5 | Peak season — cold mornings, prime wildlife |
Practical Details
How to reach
Jabalpur→Kanha: 160km 4hrs via NH30. Roads: NH30 good. Last 30km single lane but paved.. Self-drive: Any car to Khatia. Inside park by authorized jeep only.. Public transport: Flights to Jabalpur. Local buses/shared jeeps to Khatia gate.. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
600m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
mid-range
Nearby in Madhya Pradesh scoring high in December
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