Difference between Bandhavgarh national park & Kanha national park. Comparison information on tiger density, birdwatching, geography, vegetation

Introduction

Every tiger reserve have its own beauty and specialty. Many times when we have limited time or limited budget but long bucket then we find ourselves in a situation where we have to do some compromises while preparing our tour plans. Here we have to decide which place or places are top in our priority list and which place visit can be postponed to next round. When it comes to wildlife safari tours we often get confused in between popular tiger reserves or national parks as their are many national parks which are equally popular and thus we need to do the comparative analysis of those contending national parks to check which one is matching more to our expectations and thus we will take a final decision. Here we have tried to help the readers in doing comparative analysis between Bandhavgarh national park and Kanha national park. You will read the difference as per our practical analysis from a tourist point of view. We hope information will be helpful in help in taking confident decision.

Important Links

Best time to visit Bandhavgarh How to reach Bandhavgarh Naming of Bandhavgarh History of Bandhavgarh Bandhavgarh Safari Zones Why to visit Bandhavgarh Bandhavgarh Safari Timing Mammals in Bandhavgarh Birds Checklist of Bandhavgarh Tourism Activities Clothing Advisory Geography at Bandhavgarh Tala Village Tala Zone Magadhi Zone Khitauli Zone

Bandhavgarh vs Kanha National Park

Please study the below given comparative analysis exposing the difference of experience during visit to these 2 popular national park of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Here we have tried to cover all the important features which could affect our decision like location, jungle safaris, animal sightings, topography, accessibility, stay experience, scenic beauty etc.

Feature

Bandhavgarh National Park

Kanha National Park

Forest location

It is spread over Umaria and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh state.
Coordinates: 23.7184 N, 81.0202 E

It is spread over Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh state.
Coordinates: 22.2995 N, 80.5864 E

Where in Madhya Pradesh ?

Bandhavgarh lies in eastern part of Madhya Pradesh state.

Kanha tiger reserve lies in south-eastern part of Madhya Pradesh state.

Geographical Position

Bandhavgarh forest is spread over Vindhya range of Central India

Kanha forest is spread over Maikal-Satpura range of Central India

Declaration as Tiger reserve

In year 1993

In year 1972 with the launch of Project tiger. It is older than Bandhavgarh.

Tiger reserve area

716.90 sq.km. (Core area)+ 820.03 sq.km. (Buffer area) = 1536..93 sq.km.

917.43 sq.km. (Core area)+ 1134.36 sq.km. (Buffer area) = 2051.79 sq.km.

Airport connectivity

Its nearby airport options are at Jabalpur and Khajuraho. Options for Bandhavgarh are poor in compare to Kanha NP

For reaching Kanha national park, nearby airport options are Raipur, Nagpur, Gondia, Jabalpur. Flight connectivity options are more in compare to Bandhavgarh.

Topography

Its Tala zone is hilly otherwise more plain than Kanha tiger reserve thus animals tracking and sighting is comparatively easy.

It is more hilly with undulating surface thus animals tracking & sighting is comparatively challenging.

River system

Bandhavgarh forest lies in between rivers like Mahanadi in east and Son & Johila river in west.

Kanha tiger reserve forest is spread over Banjar and Hallon river valleys.

High season

From Feb to mid of June

From Dec to mid of June.

Low season

July to Nov

July to Sept.

Tiger population

Tiger population is less than Kanha tiger reserve

Tiger population is more than Bandhavgarh tiger reserve

Tiger density

Tiger density is more than Kanha tiger reserve

Tiger density is less than Bandhavgarh

Tiger sighting probability

Higher than Kanha national park.

Lower than Bandhavgarh.

Top 5 attractions

Tiger, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, wild elephants

Hard-ground Barasingha, tiger, leopard, Indian gaur, Wild dogs

Core safari zones

Tala zone, Magadhi zone, Khitauli zone

Kanha zone, Mukki zone, Kisli zone, Sarhi zone

Buffer safari zones

Dhamokhar zone, Johila zone, Panpatha zone

Khatia zone, Khapa zone, Sijhora zone

Safari options offered by park management

Jeep safari, Canter safari (open bus)

Jeep safari, Canter safari (open bus), walking safari.

Safari achievements

It offers better chance for tiger sighting (especially in summers). Presence of wild elephants is its unique attraction.

Here tiger sighting probability is poor in compare to Bandhavgarh but sighting of Barasingha, Indian gaur, Wild dogs can make you feel proud.

Scenic beauty

Here natural beauty of Tala zone is very good with dense hilly forest. Scenic beauty of Magadhi and Khitauli zone is average.

Here scenic beauty of Kanha zone, Kisli zone, Mukki zone is very good. For nature photography, it is better than Bandhavgarh.

Birdwatching experience

In compare to Kanha NP, birding experience will be average.

In compare to Bandhavgarh, birding experience will be better.

Popular hotel cluster hotspots

Near Tala gate

Near Khatia gate, Mukki gate, Sarhi gate

Park management & conservation history

Here park management effectiveness is average with no great conservation history

Its park management effectiveness is very good with great conservation history and practices.

Re-introduced species

Indian gaur, Hard-ground barasingha

Black buck

Historical background

It was private reserve of Baghel kingdom used for hunting expeditions. Historical buildings still visible during safari in Tala zone.

It was under control of Gond dynasty. Later controlled by British India government. British officials did hunting in this forest. No such historical buildings visible during safaris.