Night Safari in Kanha: 2026 Status

Many travellers search for a night safari in Kanha, and until 2025 night drives did run in parts of the buffer area around Kanha National Park. That has changed. Following a Supreme Court ruling on tiger reserves in November 2025, the Madhya Pradesh forest department stopped night safaris in all tiger reserves of the state from 1 December 2025, including Kanha. Today only day safaris are allowed, and night entry into the core and buffer zones is not permitted.

Is night safari allowed in Kanha?

No. There is currently no night safari in Kanha National Park or its buffer zones. Any website still selling a Kanha night safari is out of date, so please check carefully before you pay. If the rules change in future, our team will share the update with guests.

Plan a day safari instead

The good news is that Kanha's day safaris are among the best wildlife experiences in India. Two safaris run every day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and each open jeep takes up to 6 visitors with a forest guide and a driver. Timings change with the season:

• October to February: morning safari from sunrise to 11:00 AM, afternoon safari from 2:00 PM to sunset.
• February to April: morning safari from sunrise to 11:00 AM, afternoon safari from 3:00 PM to sunset.
• April to June: morning safari from sunrise to 10:00 AM, afternoon safari from 3:30 PM to sunset.

The late afternoon safari is the closest you can get to the forest at dusk, when animals become active and the light is soft. Permits are limited and open 120 days ahead, so book early. Read our Kanha safari booking guide for zones and permits.

Evenings at Kanha Resort

Kanha Resort sits close to Khatia Gate, and evenings here are still full of the sounds of the jungle. After your safari you can enjoy:

• A campfire under the open sky, a favourite with families and groups.
• A tribal dance evening with local performers.
• A wildlife movie about Kanha's tigers and barasingha.
• Listening for owls and nightjars from the quiet of the resort.

Frequently asked questions

Is night safari allowed in Kanha?

No. Night safaris in Madhya Pradesh tiger reserves, including Kanha, stopped on 1 December 2025. Only day safaris are allowed.

What time does the last safari of the day end?

The afternoon safari ends at sunset. The exact exit time depends on the season and is set by the forest department.

Which zone is best for an evening drive?

Choose an afternoon safari in a core zone such as Kanha, Kisli or Mukki for the best chance of seeing wildlife near dusk. Our team can help you pick the zone when you book.