Kuno National Park, covering 748.76 square kilometers across the Sheopur and Morena districts of northern Madhya Pradesh, is one of the most famous wildlife landscapes in modern conservation history. Originally declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1981, Kuno was elevated to National Park status in 2018 after an extensive, voluntary resettlement of 24 tribal villages. On September 17, 2022, Kuno achieved global fame when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first coalition of African cheetahs imported from Namibia and South Africa, inaugurating 'Project Cheetah'—the world's first intercontinental large-carnivore reintroduction project.
Location & Geography
The park lies on the northern fringes of the Vindhyan hill range, bisected from south to north by the perennial Kuno River, a major tributary of the Chambal. The terrain features expansive, gently rolling savannah grasslands, flat-topped sandstone mesas (khandars), dry ravines, and fertile river floodplains. Elevations range from 230 to 500 meters, creating vast, open, unobstructed grasslands that provide ideal running grounds for cursorial predators.
Geographic & Topographic Parameters
Coordinates: 25°40' N, 77°15' E
Elevation Range: 230 m to 500 m above sea level
Terrain & Landscape: Vindhyan flat-topped sandstone plateaus, open Kardhai savannah grasslands, and Kuno River valley
Area & Establishment
First declared a sanctuary of 344 km² in 1981, Kuno was earmarked by the Wildlife Institute of India in the 1990s as the second home for the Asiatic lion. Between 1998 and 2003, all 24 villages inside the core voluntarily relocated to the periphery, creating a completely human-free core. In December 2018, the core was expanded and notified as Kuno National Park covering 748.76 km². In 2022, it became the operational epicenter of India's Project Cheetah.
Significance
Kuno represents the rebirth of India's grassland megafauna. The cheetah was officially declared extinct in India in 1952 due to over-hunting; Kuno's reintroduction restored the ecological evolutionary role of the top grassland predator. The park also provides an essential corridor connecting Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan across the Chambal River to Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Wildlife
Beyond its celebrated cheetahs, Kuno is a vibrant carnivore haven. Predators include over 80 resident Indian leopards, striped hyenas, dholes (Asiatic wild dogs), golden jackals, jungle cats, and sloth bears. Herbivores thrive in immense numbers, with over 20,000 chital (spotted deer), alongside sambar, nilgai, four-horned antelope (chausingha), chinkara (Indian gazelle), and wild boar.
Flagship Species: Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) & Indian Leopard
The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus) are the star predators of Kuno. The released cheetahs—alongside multiple litters of wild-born cubs born in Kuno—have successfully adapted to the Indian wilderness, hunting chital and gazelle across the open Kardhai and Khair grasslands. The interaction between stealthy resident leopards and lightning-fast cheetahs provides wildlife biologists with unprecedented scientific data.
Avian life in Kuno is exceptionally rich, with over 200 bird species recorded. Raptors are prominent, including the crested serpent eagle, short-toed snake eagle, long-billed vulture, and white-backed vulture. The Kuno riverbanks attract painted storks, black storks, Indian skimmers, and river terns.
Flora & Vegetation
The park is classified as Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest and Savannah Woodland. The signature tree is Kardhai (Anogeissus pendula), which covers nearly 60% of the slopes, alongside Khair (Acacia catechu), Salai (Boswellia serrata), tendu, and palas. Vast expanses of open grasslands dominated by Sehima and Dichanthium grasses resemble the classic African savannah.
Safari & Visiting
Safaris operate through open 4x4 gypsies entering via the Tiktoli, Ahera, and Peepalwawadi gates. Safari routes wind across open savannah plains, scenic river crossings, and historic fortress ruins. While free-ranging cheetah sightings occur along specific safari corridors, visitors can also explore the Cheetah Interpretation Centre at Sesaipura.
Safari Operational Protocols & Best Zones
Primary Gates & Sectors: Ahera Safari Gate, Tiktoli Gate, Peepalwawadi Gate, Cheetikheda Range
Shift Timings: Morning: 06:15 AM – 10:00 AM | Afternoon: 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Booking Mechanism: Madhya Pradesh Forest Department Safari Portal (kuno.mponline.gov.in)
Best Time to Visit
The optimal visiting window is from October to April. Winter months (November to February) feature crisp, sunny days and cool nights (10°C to 24°C). In March and April, the grasses dry down, offering maximum visibility for spotting cheetahs and leopards around the Kuno River. The park is closed to safari tourism from July 1 to September 30 during the monsoon season.
How to Reach
The primary tourism base is Sesaipura village, located 15 km from the Tiktoli safari gate. Sesaipura is 30 km from Sheopur and 90 km from Shivpuri. Gwalior (160 km) is the nearest major railway hub and domestic airport. High-quality highways connect Gwalior and Shivpuri to Sesaipura (approx. 3.5 hours drive). Jaipur is 230 km to the west.
Transit Connectivity Metrics
Nearest City & Gateway: Sheopur (30 km) / Shivpuri (90 km) / Gwalior (160 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Gwalior Junction (GWL, 160 km) / Shivpuri (90 km)
Nearest Airport: Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport, Gwalior (GWL, 165 km) / Jaipur Airport (230 km)
Road Arteries: SH-24 connecting Gwalior, Mohana, Shivpuri, and Sheopur
Permits & Rules
All safari permits must be booked online in advance via the official Madhya Pradesh forest portal (kuno.mponline.gov.in). Each gypsy must be accompanied by an authorized forest guide. Drones, stepping out of vehicles, and approaching cheetah enclosures without authorization are strictly illegal.
Nearby Attractions
Ranthambore National Park (110 km (via Sawai Madhopur))
Famous Rajasthan tiger fortress, connected to Kuno across the Chambal wildlife corridor.
Madhav National Park & George Castle (90 km)
Historic royal hunting reserve in Shivpuri featuring Sakhya Sagar lake and a colonial hilltop castle.
Gwalior Fort & Jai Vilas Palace (160 km)
Magnificent 8th-century hill fortress described by Babur as the 'pearl among fortresses of Hind'.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cheetahs were reintroduced to Kuno National Park?
A total of 20 cheetahs (8 from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023) were reintroduced, followed by multiple litters of cubs born in Kuno.
Can tourists see cheetahs on safari in Kuno?
Yes, tourists can see wild cheetahs that have been released into the open safari sectors of the park, as well as view them at the Cheetah Interpretation facilities.
Which is the main entry gate for safaris in Kuno?
Tiktoli Gate, located near Sesaipura village on the Shivpuri-Sheopur road, is the primary and most popular safari entrance for tourists.
Why was Kuno chosen for the cheetah project?
Kuno was chosen because it has vast, uninhabited savannah grasslands (after the relocation of 24 villages), an abundant prey base of chital, and the absence of tigers.
Sources
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India: Kuno National Park.
- Madhya Pradesh Forest Department: Kuno National Park Management Plan and Cheetah Monitoring Reports.
- Wildlife Institute of India: Ecological Assessments and Carnivore Density Surveys in Kuno.