Kisli Jeep Safari, Kanha National Park - Timings, Safari Cost, Best Time to Visit

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From MPMCH): 7 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day

Transportation Options: Cab

Travel Tips: The Kanha National Park remains closed from 1st July to 15th October every year. It is also closed on Holi festival and every Wednesday afternoon safari. The park management may also cancel the safaris due to floods and forest fires and no refund is provided to tourists.

At a distance of 7 km from Mocha and 8 km from Kanha ticket counter, Kisli Zone is one of the core zones of Kanha Nationa Park. This zone is primarily visited through Khatia entrance gate, located near Khatia village.

After the introduction of Sarhi Zone, Kisli Zone was carved out from Kanha Zone and thus it becomes the fourth safari zone of Kanha National Park. It was earlier treated as Kanha zone so its importance is always considered equivalent to Kanha Zone. Forest area falling in this zone is considered to be very scenic and photogenic. Kisli Zone is very well explored by safari guides and thus here tiger sighting probability is also high. In this zone, one can find animals like Indian Gaur, Hard-ground Barasingha, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Jackal, Wolf, etc. Kopedabri, Langha Dadar, Bandri Chapar, Sandukkhol, Mochi Dadar, Phuta Tal, Soonaghat, Bandela Behera, Amahi, Magar Nala and Salghat are the important areas visited in Kisli zone during jeep safari.

Jeep Safari is one of the best ways to explore the exotic wildlife and thick woods of Kanha National Park. Accompanied by a trained guide, the jeep safari takes visitors into the heart of the national park on fixed routes at fixed timings in the mornings and afternoons. The Jungle Safari is done only with vehicles registered with the park administration as private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. It is recommended to book safaris early (up to 120 days in advance) because the number of safaris in each zone is limited at a time. The number of vehicles allowed to enter into Kisli Zone is 18 in the morning and 18 in the evening. Each jeep can take up to 6 travelers other than a driver and one naturalist. The safari entry and exit timings change according to the change of seasons. Afternoon shift is typically closed on Wednesdays. Morning & Afternoon both the shift remains close on Holi festival.

One can book safari tickets either online at www.mponline.gov.in or through travel agents or if available one can also get this from the booking window at the entrance gate of the national park. One can also book a single seat for jeep safari instead of paying the full vehicle at Kanha. Single-seat bookings are only offered online for core zones. The guide fee and vehicle hire fee are to be paid separately at the park before undertaking the safari and will be distributed equally between the tourists in the vehicle. All the visitors are required to carry their original identity document during safari drives as it is verified at the entrance gate. Safari tickets are non-transferable. During safari drive, guide service is compulsory on each safari vehicle.

This zone is open for jungle safari drives from 15th October to 30th June. During the monsoon period i.e. from July to September, it remains closed for tourists.

Safari Timings: 6.30 AM - 11 AM & 2 PM - 5.30 PM from Oct - Feb and 6 AM - 10 AM & 3 PM - 6 PM from Mar - June, Closed on every Wednesday evening, on Holi, Diwali & during monsoon.

Safari Permit Fee: Rs. 250 for Single Seat in Jeep, Rs. 1500 per Whole Jeep (max 6 Persons). Jeep hiring cost & guide cost extra (around 2500 per jeep and 480 per guide).

Note: Safari cost changes frequently