‘Bandhavgarh or Kanha - which is better?’ Has this question ever crossed your mind? Are you wondering which one to choose between Bandhavgarh and Kanha for your next wildlife vacation? Fret not, as we have listed out everything you need to know to make an informed decision! So, let’s help you settle the Bandhavgarh vs Kanha dilemma once and for all.
Both the Bandhavgarh National Park and the Kanha National Park are famed wildlife reserves of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Both of these are magical jungles with diverse habitats that host a wealth of wildlife. Both are also home to some iconic tigers and offer unique sighting and photographic opportunities. In this blog, we will consider five things about both these destinations and hope that it helps you simplify the process of decision making.
1. What’s easier to access, Bandhavgarh or Kanha?
One of the key things to consider when planning a trip to any wildlife reserve in India is its accessibility. The nearest and the most well connected airport to both the Bandhavgarh National Park and the Kanha National Park is the one at Jabalpur. However, the distance between the Jabalpur airport and Kanha is 130 kms while the distance between the Jabalpur airport and Bandhavgarh is about 180 kms.
The nearest railway stations to the Bandhavgarh National Park are Umaria (35kms) and Katni (90 kms). The nearest railway stations to the Kanha National Park are Gondia (145 kms) and Jabalpur (170 kms).
If you are a resident of any of the major cities of Madhya Pradesh, both these Parks are distanced at about 450 kms and over. It will take at least an eight-hour drive to reach either of them.
If you are a resident of other states of India and choose to fly and land at the Jabalpur airport, then Kanha is closer to you. If you travel by train and it passes through Umaria or Katni, Bandhavgarh is more easily accessible to you, but the train might reach at odd hours.
The station at Jabalpur is a junction and a lot of trains from all major cities of India arrive here. If you alight at the Jabalpur station, you can proceed by private cab or bus to both Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Kanha is closer by about 50 kms than Bandhavgarh. However tedious the journey, both these parks are well worth one’s time and effort! To know more about the most efficient way to reach Bandhavgarh, read our blog “How to reach Bandhavgarh in the best possible way?”
2. What is the difference between Bandhavgarh and Kanha?
Total area of the forest
The Kanha National Park is the largest forest reserve of central India and one of the largest across India. Its total area (core + buffer) is 1945 square kilometres! The core area is spread across approximately 950 square kilometres. This wild haven hosts a wide variety of wildlife species and is home to over 1000 varieties of plants. It also contains a healthy population of tigers.
In contrast, the Bandhavgarh National Park is much smaller and has one of the highest tiger densities in India! This makes Bandhavgarh one of the best National Parks in India to sight a tiger. Apart from a robust population of charismatic big cats, the park hosts about 35 species of mammals and over 250 bird species! To know more about the stunning wildlife of Bandhavgarh, read our blog “Wildlife of Bandhavgarh”
Habitat
Set against the backdrop of the Maikal hills of the Satpura mountain range, the Kanha tiger reserve is dominated by awe-inspiring tall sal trees and other mixed-forest trees. The open meadows of the Kanha zone are a sight to behold in golden-hour light and especially in the early mornings of the winter months when they are shrouded in mist. The habitat at Kanha offers a lot of depth to photographers and one can experiment with the golden-hour light to make some outstanding frames!
The Bandhavgarh National Park also hosts majestic sal trees, but it is less dense than Kanha and interspersed with open grasslands. The Bandhavgarh forestscape is blessed with rugged mountainous terrain and also thick bamboo groves that adds to the forest’s surrealism!
The idyllic woodlands of Bandhavgarh are cradled by the mighty Vindhya Hills. In the summer months, the dried vegetation and the reduced water holes help in the sighting of tigers. The historic Bandhavgarh fort and the sacrosanct Shesh Shaiya in the Tala zone add a classical touch of history and myth to natural history. This blend makes Bandhavgarh a truly unique landscape which merits at least one visit in one’s lifetime!
Different species & attractions
Apart from the big cat species which attract several tourists and wildlife enthusiasts all year round, both Bandhavgarh and Kanha are home to some magnificent and iconic species of natural history.
In Kanha, the glorious comeback of the Barasingha or swamp deer is a conservation success story! These prolific species now roam the meadows and stags with fully mature antlers lure many photographers and curious first-timers alike.
The other species that are celebrated in Kanha are the nimble-footed antelopes such as the chinkaras, the blackbucks and the chousinghas. Sadly trophy hunted and poached in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan where they were once known to strive, Kanha is one of the remaining safe refuges for these iconic species.
Kanha is also home to over 300 species of birds, making it a birder’s paradise!
Bandhavgarh is also home to the aforementioned species of antelopes and hosts over 250 bird species, including some amazing migratory birds which attract bird-lovers. Apart from the tigers that have really made a name for themselves over the recent years, tourists and wildlife-lovers are lured to Bandhavgarh to sight other species such as the striped hyena, the lesser adjutant stork and the vulture species, namely the long-billed vultures, the king vultures and the rare Egyptian vulture that breed in the hills around Bandhavgarh. This park is one of the last strongholds for these scavengers.
As a result of a disease, gaurs were completely wiped out from Bandhavgarh. But in 2011, about 20 of these hulks were relocated to Bandhavgarh from Kanha and their regeneration has been extremely successful. Their population is slowly, but steadily rising since! These mighty beasts are a sight to behold against the scenic beauty of Bandhavgarh’s stunning landscape!
3. What wildlife can you expect in Bandhavgarh and Kanha?
Both these mesmerising National Parks offer sightings of similar species, including the bold tigers, the elusive leopards, the occasional jungle cats, sloth bears, dholes, golden jackals, striped hyenas, the many deer species and birds such as woodpeckers, kingfishers, bee-eaters, raptors such as the crested-serpent eagle, brown-bellied owl, osprey, shikra and the list goes on.
However, when it comes to tiger sightings, the advantage lies with Bandhavgarh for the simple reason of a higher density and smaller forest area. A saying about the park goes thus: “"In any other park, you are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don't see at least one." But, a tiger sighting against the backdrop of Kanha’s magnificent forestscapes is arguably a more memorable and beatific experience!
Both these parks offer full-day safaris and although you can spot more big cats in Bandhavgarh, the number of species that can be sighted in Kanha is more.
4. Sighting frequency, quality of sighting and experience
Like we mentioned earlier, both Bandhavgarh and Kanha host a robust population of tigers, but because of the difference in the area of the forests and Bandhavgarh’s incredible tiger density, Bandhavgarh has the edge in the frequency and number of tiger sightings. One can spot more individual tigers and tigresses on game drives here than in Kanha. However, a tiger sighting in the open meadows of Kanha or against the wondrous sal trees makes an irreplaceable frame!
In Kanha, an adult male Barasingha with fully grown antlers in golden light with smog coming out of his mouth is a dream shot that beckons the likes of wildlife enthusiasts and veteran professional photographers alike!
In Bandhavgarh, the option of the elephant safari gives you a different perspective of the forest and grants you access to parts of the forest which are not reachable by gypsy. Sometimes, this directly results in a big cat sighting!
5. Decide based on accommodation in Bandhavgarh and Kanha
There are plenty of accommodation options around both forests, which are affordable, comfortable and well connected to the park. We at Toehold operate our Photo Tours out of the Aranyak Resorts in Bandhavgarh owing to their perfect balance of comfort and modern amenities and their rustic charm, as well as the included access to wildlife jeep safaris.
However, depending on your budget and preferred level of luxury, we can tailor-make a package to suit your specific needs for both Bandhavgarh and Kanha.
To know about the other resorts and hotels around Bandhavgarh, read our blog “Top 10 Bandhavgarh resorts”.
Our verdict
Both the Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park are amazing jungles hosting a plethora of wildlife species. It is a bit of a tiresome process to reach both these parks, but the promise of rejuvenation, wonderful sightings and photographic opportunities make the journey well worth your time and effort!
Because of a higher density of tigers and smaller forest area in Bandhavgarh, tiger sightings occur more frequently. But one can spot more species of animals and birds in Kanha. Although a less frequent occurrence, a tiger sighting against Kanha’s breathtaking landscape is a cherishable experience!
Several resorts around both these parks offer great service. Some of them are luxurious and take pride in pampering their guests! You can choose a hotel based on your budget and preferences.
Although both these parks are marvellous, our hearts tend to prefer Bandhavgarh because of the frequency of big cat sightings and the photographic opportunities it provides.
We hope we have provided a satisfactory answer to your question - ‘Bandhavgarh or Kanha, which is better?’ and have simplified your decision making process. We at Toehold offer regular Photo Tours to Bandhavgarh, as well as plan fully customised tours, tailor-made to suit all your needs and preferences. If you have any further questions, we would be happy to answer them. Do get in touch with us!
