Kanger Valley National Park Tourism And Travel Guide

Located in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, Kanger Ghati National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the state as well as in the country, it has some of the most exotic animals and endangered birds and animals; it has a vast expanse of dense forest also with some rare plants. Reaching the park is easy and can be done by means of air, rail as well as road. Tourism in Kanger Valley National Park is popular due to the animals one can get to see in the region; animals like leopards, hyena, barking deer, crocodiles, hill myna and many more can be seen in the park. Our travel guide to Kanger Valley National Park will give you more details on the tourism around here.

By Air:

The closest airport one can take to reach Kanger Valley National Park is Swami Vivekananda International Airport and it is distanced at 310.8 km from the park. This is the nearest airport with a good frequency of flights flying to and fro from different cities making this one of the most convenient ways to travel.

By Road:

Going on a road trip to Kanger Valley National Park is bliss; you can get to see some lovely landscapes with beautiful plantation. You can drive there or simply take a bus that is run by the state government to cut some costs. The busses are a great way to save some expenses and have a comfortable trip at the same time.

By Rail:

Jagdalpur Railway station is the closest rail station to the national park. The station is located at a distance of 20.9 km from the park and is the best way to get here. You can find several modes of public transportation to get to your destination from there onwards.

Getting Around:

When you are inside the park, you can easily get around by using the safari jeeps. Guided tours are conducted inside the forest along with a tour guide who will drive you around in the jeep. Other than this, the best way to explore nature in the park is to walk.

Summer (April-June):

The summer months are the hottest in Kanger Valley National Park with temperatures ranging from 32°C to 42°C. These are the hottest months in the park and is not the best recommended time to visit, although you can see a lot of greenery around.

Monsoon (July-October):

After the scalding heat, the region experiences rain; the monsoon season in this park starts in the month of July with temperatures ranging from 22°C-30°C. The climate becomes cooler during this time and if rain is heavy, the park remains closed.

Winter (November-March):

Winter is the best season to visit Kanger Valley National Park with temperatures dropping down much lower than the entire year. Temperatures during this time range from 10°C-18°C making it very chilly, especially in the night. This is a great time to visit as you can see a lot of animal activity.

Visit Caves:

Chhattisgarh is known for its natural beauty and has beautiful caves all over the region, some of them which are undiscovered as well. The Kailash Kutumb Caves inside Kanger Valley National Park is one of the biggest attractions. These caves have several limestone layers formed over the years which are amazing to see.

Visit Temples in the Vicinity:

Our country and especially the state of Chhattisgarh is abundant in natural beauty as well as religious sites. You can find several temples near the national park as well. Visit the Bharat Milap Temple that tells a story of an emotional mythological past of Lord Ram or go to one of the local Shiv Mandirs to get an authentic feel of the lifestyle that is lived there.

See Exotic Critters:

If you are visiting Kanger Valley National Park for the thrill of seeing exotic animals, then you are in for a treat. Go on a safari inside the forest to see some of the most interesting species of animals in their natural habitat. You can also see some of the rarest birds on the banks of the valley, especially during winters.

Experience the Tribal Life:

If you are keen on exploring the local culture near the national park, this could be your chance. There are several villages near Kanger Ghati National Park that have unique styles of cooking, dressing, traditions, dance, music etc. The best way is to do a home stay in a tribal home and experience their culture.

Relax at Kanger Dhara:

The entire national park is huge and takes time to explore; after you are done, visit the Kanger Dhara inside the park for a moment of relaxation. Sit over the rocks with bare foot in the valley to have optimum fun. This is a good area to relax with your family.

For the tribes living in the vicinity of Kanger Ghati National Park, the forest supplies necessary food items for their daily needs. The best way to taste the authentic food of Bastar region is to eat the tribal food in villages like Sukmi. Fruits and vegetables grown in the forest are essential items in their regular diet. Petha and Rahkia Badi are some of the specialties of the tribal food in Chhattisgarh, especially in the Bastar area. You will also find a lot of people cooking fresh chicken with raw spices grown in the region; these are some of the most delicious and mouthwatering food in the region. You can also find street restaurants that will serve you regular vegetarian and non vegetarian food. Try out sweet items like soju which is pretty similar to barfi.

Shopping is a must whenever you are in any new place and Bastar is a great place to shop. If you want to shop inside the national park, the best way is to go to the gift shop inside where you can get various merchandise gifts to take back for your friends and family. But if you want to buy something that is native to that land, then you must hit the tribal markets of Bastar. Tribal women and men sit in these markets to sell bronze jewelry, pots, cloth, clothes, handmade shoes, items of religious belief etc. You can also find items like terracotta sculptures bamboo crafts and other miscellaneous items. Shopping in one of these tribal markets is the best way to explore the culture of the region and to understand the people.