Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendour. This is original Kipling country, of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book. The same abundance of wildlife species exists today in Kanha National Park, which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground barasingha (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). In the 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries: Hallon and Banjar, of 250 sq km and 300 sq km each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded, the area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population in the years that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in 1952. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since then, a series of stringent conservation programmes for the protection of the park's flora and fauna has given Kanha its deserved reputation for being one of the finest and best administered National Parks in Asia, an irresistible attraction for all wildlife lovers and a true haven for its animal and avian population.

The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha provided inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel "Jungle Book". The Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh came into being in 1955 and forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The Park's landmark achievement is the preservation of the rare hardground Swamp Deer (Barasingha), saving it from near extinction. Stringent conservation programs for the overall protection of the Park's fauna and flora, makes Kanha one of the most well maintained National Parks in Asia.

A heightened attraction within the Park is Bamni Dadar, popularly known as Sunset Point that offers the most awe-inspiring backdrop of the sunset against grazing Sambhars and Gaurs, magnifying the natural splendor of the area. Aside from its diverse wildlife and bird population, the frequent sightings of Tigers roaming in the wild at Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary remain the most popular draw.

How many of you have seen a tiger before? Most of the answers will be ambiguous because everyone wants to see a tiger. Then where can one spot TIGER? Well, even if there are circuses and zoo's all over India, there's some kind of a thrill you experiences when all of a sudden you came across a TIGER roaming freely in the wilderness of its natural habitat: the fields and forests of India. There are nucious beast,merous Tiger reserves in India, that are preserving this fero but nowhere can you see them as often, and as regularly as in Kanha National Park.

Prime Attractions of Kanha National Park

Forest Department guides accompany visitors around the park on mapped-out circuits which enable viewers to see a good cross-section of Kanha's wildlife. The best areas are the meadows around Kanha, where blackbuck, chital and barasingha can be seen throughout the day.

» Bamni Dadar
Known as Sunset Point, this is one of the most beautiful areas of the parlc, from where a spectacular sunset can hc watched. The dense Kanha's forests can best be seen from here. Animals that can be sighted around this point are typical of the mixed forest zone: sambar, barking deer, gaur and the four horned antelope.

» Less Commonly Seen Species Are
Tiger, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and Indian bison or gaur. Patient watching shoulcl reward the visitor with a sight of: Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, panther, mouse deer, chausingha or four-horned antelope, nilgai, Hardground Barasingha is found only at Kanha. Chital and porcupine.

» Avian Species
Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species, and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near the park's many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by wafer birds and the area in front of the museum. The sal forests do not normally yield a sight of Kanha's avifauna. Early mornings and late afternoons are best for bird watching; binoculars are an invaluable aid to the watcher.

» Commonly Seen Species Include
cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent, racket tailed drongo,hawk eagle and red-wattled lapwing; various species of flycatcher, woodpecker , pigeon, dove, parakeet, babbler and mynah;Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.

» Jeep and Elephant Hire
MPSTDC jeeps are available on hire for touring the park. Elephants are used for tiger-tracking and should a tiger be located, the elephant can take visitors to the site.

Excursions in Khajuraho
Kawardha just east of the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south east of Kanha National park, Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts) region of M.P. In this remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened his palace to visitors. It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast with India’s big cities and with the much busier tourist circuit of Rajasthan’s ‘palace circuit’. This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in forest surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples in the immediate region.

How to Get there

» Air
Nagpur at 266-kms is the nearest Airport to visit Kanha National Park and is connected by various domestic airline services with Mumbai.

» Rail
Jabalpur at 169-kms is the convenient rail head to visit Kanha.

» Road
Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur 175-kms, Khajuraho 445-kms, Nagpur 266-kms, Mukki 25-kms, Raipur 219-kms. Within the park: Koshi - Kanha (9-kms), Kishi - Katia (4-kms), Kishi - Mukki (32-kms). There are regular to and fro bus service available from Jabalpur to Kanha.

» Local Transport
The Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) operates a Jeep Service for visitors to go around in the park. Advance bookings can be made through the Manager, MPSTDC, Log huts, Kisli. Wild Chalet Resorts at Village Mocha, Kanha can also arrange for local sightseeing.

General Info / Tips

» Park Visitation Timings
1. 15 November to 15 February - Sunrise to 12.00 noon and 3.00 pm to Sunset
2. 16 February to 30 April - Sunrise to 1200 noon and 4.00 pm to Sunset
3. 1 May to 30 June - Sunrise to 11.00 am and 5.00 pm to Sunset .
Note : Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.

» Tourist Information Centres
1. The Manager, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Log Hut, Kisli, Bhopal.
2. The Field Director, Project Tiger, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Mandla - 481661.

» Best Time to Visit
The visiting season to Kanha national park is within the months of April to June and November to January. The park is closed from July to Mid-November that is during the monsoon season.

» Food
Kisli has a restaurant and a canteen. The restaurant serves both Indian and western food. The canteen is cheaper, serving reasonably-priced table d' hote meals and snacks. The Kanha Safari Lodge at Mukki is served by a multi-cuisine restaurant.

If boiled water is required, please ask for it specially (water served at the lodges is generally filtered). Cool drinks and beer are usually available.

» Accommodation
Kanha Safari Lodge, Mukki (MPT) Baghira Log Huts, Kisli (MPT) Tourist Hotel, Kisli (MPT).