Kanha National Park

Go there for: Tigers, Swamp Deer or the Barasingha
Kanha National Park at a glance
Welcome to Mowgli’s jungle! British author and Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling in his renowned adventure - 'The Jungle Book', set his tales of the boy brought up by wolves in the jungles of Kanha National Park
The Kanha National Park of Madhya Pradesh - the Tiger state of India - is one of the most famous tiger reserves of the nation. Its horseshoe-shaped valley spread across a 2,000 sq km of lush grasslands, bordered by the Satpura Mountains make Kanha a very interesting topography for geologists and nature lovers alike. A favorite hunting ground for our erstwhile British Masters, Kanha was declared a National Park in 1955 and in 1974 began the Project Tiger. And today Kanha proudly displays her reserve of the ferocious Big Cats to its visitors as often and as regularly as its domestic feline counterpart strolling in the kitchen garden. No wonder, Kanha is considered to be one of the most well-maintained National Parks in Asia.
Wildlife Attractions of Kanha National Park
Needless to mention, Sherkhan, the ferocious tiger and Kipling's villain in 'Jungle Book' is the center of attraction. Spotting wild animals is always a matter of luck but Kanha is so rich in wildlife that the odds are titled in your favor. The reserve includes 175 bird species and about 22 mammals' species. While on a mission to spot the king of the jungle - the tiger, one can easily catch glimpses of Porcupine, Gray Langurs, Mongoose, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Chital or Spotted Deer, Chousingha, Nilgai, Gaur or Indian Bison and wild Pig. And don't miss out on the endangered Swamp Deer or Barasingha. It is the only habitat of this otherwise extinct animal and fortunately due to the efforts of the authorities a considerable increase in its population has been recorded.
A trip to the water holes at the Kanha National Park gives you an opportunity to spot lovely water birds. The best way to spot birds at Kanha is by having a little patience and carry a pair of binoculars to the vast meadows and green hills at daybreak. Some of the commonly sighted birds at the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India are peafowl, woodpeckers, yellow wattled lapwing, golden oriole, hornbills, tree pies, Indian roller, pied Malabar horn bill, Indian stone curlew, warblers, rosy pastor, babblers, painted partridge, green pigeon, crested honey buzzard, white backed vultures, falcon, egrets, pied kingfisher, Eurasian vulture, pied crested cuckoo, teals, quails, Red spur fowl, shrikes, lager, pipits, long-billed vulture, green bee-eaters and other birds.
Safari Adventure
How about checking out the most ferocious wildlife safely atop a huge elephant? The tourists can observe the animals from the elephant back which enables them to have a close view of the wildlife in India. Besides jeep safaris and packaged tours are also available. Visitors are, however, advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.
What more to look out for in Kanha
The Kanha Museum: It is a store house of the tribal culture and traditions in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Take your time to explore them.
Bamni Dadar: Near Kanha National Park is Bamni Dadar or the sunset point visited by every tourist who comes to the national park.
Nearby Attractions: Nearby excursion points can be Nagpur (260 km), famous for its oranges and places of architectural wonders.
How to reach there
Nagpur at 266-km is the nearest Airport. If you are traveling by the train, Jabalpur at 169-km is the convenient rail head. Kanha is well connected by road with Jabalpur (175-km), Khajuraho (445-km), Nagpur (266-km). The Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) operates a Jeep Service for visitors to go around in the park.
Ideal time to visit: The visiting season to Kanha National Park is between the months of April to June and November to January. The park is closed from July to Mid-November during the monsoon season.
Accommodation options
Luxury resorts (Royal Tiger Resort, Wild Chalet Resort), medium range hotels (Dyna Resort, Mogli resort), budget hotels (Tourist hostels, Baghira Log huts) - are all available for tourists.