The Kanha national park is counted as one of the most well preserved and planned wildlife reserve not only in India in Asia as well. The crowning achievement of Kanha national park is to be able to preserve, from the point of extinction, the ‘Barasingha’ or hard ground Swamp Deer, now referred as the 'Jewel of Kanha'. Statistically, the count of these Barasingha has been raised successfully from 60 odd to over 400. Initially coming into existence as a national park in the year 1955, the park was declared a part of Project Tiger in India in 1974 and re-named Kanha Tiger reserve. This 1,945 sq. km. area so inspired the famous novelist and poet Rudyard Kipling that he incorporated it in his acclaimed fairytale’ the Jungle Book.
Now onto the USP of the reserve. Most of us have probably seen the Tiger in a Zoo or Circus, looking half the intimidating and menacing creature it really is. But it's not until you spot one roaming freely in his natural habitat that you realize the thrill and the pride with which Mother Nature has endowed it. Kanha national park is regarded as a heaven for Tiger lovers where you can see them more often than in any other park in India.
Situated in Banjar and Halon valley in the Mangla/ Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, the area is a combination of Hills, rough terrain and lush green landscape, with the Surpan River flowing through its grasslands and plains. Overall its Horse-shoe shaped terrain is varied comprising of Sal forests, Bamboo forests and ridges. The main wildlife attractions of the park, apart from a number of Deer species like- the Barasingha, Nilgai, Spotted deer and Chousingha, are other mammals in the park are Indian Bison, wild pig, Langurs, Hyena, Jungle cat, Bears, sloth bears and Leopards.
Regarded as a very good option for Bird watching as well, the reserve has over 180 species of Birds including the purple heron, white-eyed buzzard, ring doves, bee-eaters, owls, fly catchers, green pigeons, dragons, rollers, and woodpeckers.
Elephant safari: The probability of sighting animals from close quarters, especially the Tiger increases when one takes an elephant safari. The animals are less conscious or feel more at ease around an elephant than the safari Jeeps. Also, the high elevation view that one gets sitting atop an elephant helps in spotting the animals amidst the thick jungle.
Kanha Museum: Located within the Park's premises, the museum has a good collection of the tribal cultural artifacts of Madhya Pradesh as well as depiction of the park and its flora and fauna.
The park is closed during the monsoon season extending from July to Mid-November.
A tropical climate with hot and humid summers which reaches upwards of 40 degrees, whereas during winter the mercury drops to around 11 degrees. The park is suitable to visit between the months of November and January and April to June.
The safari timings are as follows:
Nov.15 - Feb. 15 - Sunrise to 1200 hrs. 1500 hrs. To sunset.
Feb. 16 - Apr. 15 - Sunrise to 1200 hrs. 1600 hrs. To sunset.
Apr. 16 - Jun. 30 - Sunrise to 1100 hrs. 1700 hrs. To sunset.
By Air : Nagpur airport is the nearest one at a distance of 266 km which is well connected to all major cities of India.
By Rail : The nearest railhead is Jabalpur, located 169 km away.
By Road : both government as well as private buses ply between Jabalpur and Kanha in addition to numerous Taxis, autos etc.
