EXPLORE THE KANHA NATIONAL PARK
One of the most exceptional conservation in India. Kanha becomes in the spotlight as a hugely prettily-managed nature reserve and favorite place to meet the majestic tiger-the king of the Jungle in their kingdom.
The Mammoth Park With The Gigantic Cats
Kanha National Park is one of the first nine tiger reserves of India, spread in an area of 940 sq. km. where the majestic royal Bengal tiger – the Supreme predator rule.
With lush sal and mixed woodlands along with densely flaggy bamboo, interspersed with grassy plains and large clearings. Park inhabits a variety of wild species, including the tiger, and hard ground barasingha.
Every year, thousands of travelers visit this esteemed ecotourism destination to explore the beauty with jungle safari and enjoy the old nature at its peak. Park offers the cherish moments to every nature lover with the greeny nature and exotic wildlife.
Insight About Kanha Tiger Reserve:
Located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha tiger reserve is one of the most exquisite wildlife protected areas in India. The national park (2074 sq. km.) consists of two conservation entities, the buffer zone (1134 sq. km.) and the core zone (917.43 sq. km.).
The core area surrounded by the buffer zone barring part of the eastern border running along the Madhya Pradesh-Chattisgarh interstate border.
The tiger reserve area lies in zone-6E – Deccan Peninsula – Central Highlands as per the ecogeographical distribution of India. The Halor and Banjar Valleys, forming the eastern and the western parts, two ecological units of the core zone respectively connected to by a narrow corridor known as the “chicken’s neck”.
There are six forest ranges in the core zone and six in the buffer zone. There are three distinct seasons, with a typical monsoonal climate in the tiger reserve.
These seasons greatly vary in temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and precipitation, and these factors serve as regulators of vegetation and habits of wild animals in the park.
Special Attraction At Kanha:
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.
Tourist Attraction At Kanha:
At Kanha national park, Jungle Safari is the primary tourism activity for tourists. In addition to this, one can do a limited nature walk, birding and village visit. There is no favorite tourist spot near park area which one can visit while staying at the resort in Kanha.
While staying at Kanha resorts, tourists can visit Kanha forest through jungle safari drives, which done on open jeeps in the company of forest guide.
Here park is divided into 4 zones, i.e., Kanha zone, Kisli zone, Sarhi zone and Mukki zone. Through Khatia entrance gate, we can visit first three zones whereas, through Mukki entrance gate, we can easily visit Mukki safari zone. There are some essential areas in Kanha which falls in different safari zones.
How To Reach Kanha National Park
Reaching Kanha by Air :
Nearest airport for reaching Kanha national park is Jabalpur airport. It is just 170kms from Kanha national park (Khatia gate). It has direct flight connectivity with Delhi, Mumbai, etc. Second best option is Nagpur airport which is about 290kms/06:30hrs from Kanha.
It is a comparatively larger airport with better connectivity. The third option is Raipur airport at a distance of 260kms/06:00hrs from Kanha Mukki gate. The further journey from these airports to Kanha national park done through taxi vehicles. We offer car rental service from all these airports.
By Train / Railways :
Nearest railway station for reaching Kanha national park in Jabalpur (railway code: JBP), at a distance of 165kms. Jabalpur station has direct train connectivity from major tourist destinations and cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Nagpur, Bhopal, Agra, Jaipur, Gwalior, Varanasi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, etc.
The further journey is to be done by road. From Jabalpur to Kanha national park, bus and taxi service is available.
By Road:
Kanha national park well connected by road from rest of India. It has road connectivity from all directions and can be reached in any season. It well compared with critical nearby cities like Jabalpur, Raipur, Nagpur, Bandhavgarh national park, Pench, Pachmarhi, etc.
We offer car rental service from all these places to Kanha park or vice-versa. Rewa (261 km) and Shahdol (67 km).
MAMMALS
Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Here some of the prominent safari attractions are Tiger, Barasingha (Hard-ground Swamp Deer), Indian Gaur, Sloth Bear, Leopards.
Those most easily spotted are the striped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, sambar, and blackbuck.
Less commonly seen species are Tiger, Indian Hare, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and Indian Bison or gaur.
Very rarely seen species are Wolf, chinkara, Indian pangolin, ratel, and porcupine.
KANHA MAMMALS
Barasingha Nilgai Barking Deer (Muntjak) Chital
Gaur Wild Dog Hyena Jackal
Leopard Jungle Cat Langur Mouse Deer
Tiger Sambar Sloth Bear Indian Wolf
Ruddy Mongoose Wild Boar Common Palm Civet Small Indian Civet
Greater False Vampire Smooth-coated Otter Indian Palm Squirrel Five-stripped Squirrel
Flying Squirrel Common Mongoose Indian Fox Ratel
Indian Flying Fox Indian Porcupine Indian Hare Indian Pangolin
Indian Pipistrelle Chowsingha Lesser Rat-tailed Bat Naked-bellied Tomb Bat
Long-armed Shealth-tailed Bat Fulvous Fruit Bat Pouch-beating Bat Anderson’s Shrew
Madras Tree Shrew House Shrew Pygmy Shrew —
BIRDS IN KANHA
Kanha national park is also the best place for bird watching in Central India. There are about more than 280 bird species found in Kanha forest.
Some of the commonly seen Kanha birds are: Indian Roller, Pied Myna, Golden Oriole, Shama, Indian Tree Pipit, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Black-capped Kingfisher, Common Hoopoe, Red Junglefowl, Green Bee-eater, Common Teal, Rufous Woodpecker, Coopersmith Barbet, Indian Grey Hornbill, Barn owl, Jungle Owlet, Brown Fish Owl, Pied Cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, Greater Coucal, Saurus Crane, Spotted Dove, Common Sandpiper etc.
Some of the accessible birding areas in Kanha national park are Shravan Tal, Naag Bahera, Bamni Dadar, Babathenga Tank, Sondra Tank, Garhi Road, etc. November to April is considered as a good time for bird watching in Kanha.
Climate & Weather At Kanha:
Kanha national park has a moderate climate. Here we can experience all three seasons, i.e., winter, summer, and monsoon. Here Winter season is from November to March during which morning temperature dips to 1°C and day temperature remains at 18°C. During winters, morning safari drives are more challenging.
From April to June months, we can experience the summer season when straight sunlight and heat waves pose a challenge in safari drives. In peak summers, i.e., on May-June months, the temperature reaches 45°C level. With the end of June or beginning of July, monsoon clouds arrive and pour good rainfall. Monsoon season prevails from July to October.
During this time, the park remains closed for visitors and get prepared for the beginning of new season. Here at Kanha tiger reserve, you will experience a significant difference in day and night temperatures.
Due to straight sun-light effect, here day temperature raises swiftly, and after sunset and in early morning hours, we will experience cold. This difference is well experienced in morning safari drives when the vehicle enters just before sunrise and exits after sunrise.
Best Time To Visit Kanha:
Kanha national park is open for visitors from 16-October to 30-June. During this period, anyone can visit the park and enjoy the jungle safari.
It has been seen that most of the Indian tourists prefer to visit the park as per their festival holidays or children school holidays due to which their presence in better between October and December and April – June.
Whereas foreigner tourists prefer the period from November to April due to severe cold in their countries and holidays in their countries.
Best time to visit Kanha national park varies as per the interest of visitor. Still, if you are interested in core wildlife than December to April is the best time to visit Kanha national park.
During this period, you can enjoy some best moments of jungle safari. On the other hand, if you are not serious wildlife and visiting the park as leisure tour then October to April is the best time to visit.
During this time wildlife sighting is good, climatic conditions are right, and most of the festival falls during this period. Safari tickets are the primary challenge during this period. To enjoy better discounts, May-June months are good as most of the resorts offer some excellent summer discounts.
NEXT TO KANHA
There are many different popular tourist destinations which can be visited after Kanha national park. If you are interested in wildlife tourism, then you can visit Bandhavgarh, Pench national park, Satpura national park.
If you are interested in leisure tourism, then you can visit Amarkantak, Pachmarhi, Jabalpur city. For tribal travel, you can visit Kawardha, Raipur and other Chattisgarh destinations.
What Makes Kanha Unique:
Largest National Park in MP
THE LARGEST NATIONAL PARK IN MADHYA PRADESH WITH 940 SQ. KM UNDER IT
Best Administered Parks in Asia
CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE BEST ADMINISTERED PARKS IN ASIA
Royal Bengal Tigers
HAS A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION OF ROYAL BENGAL TIGERS
Dense Forest of Kanha
BAMNI DADAR OFFERS A SPECTACULAR VIEW OF THE SETTING SUN AND THE DENSE FOREST OF KANHA
Species of Birds & Flora
OVER 350 SPECIES OF BIRDS AND FLORA ARE FOUND IN THIS NATIONAL PARK
The tiger reigns supreme at Kanha Kanha’s sat, and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands, and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendor.
Kanha National Park 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 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.
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 park, from where a spectacular sunset can be watched. The dense luxuriance of 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.
Mammalian Species:
Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are the striped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, sambar, and blackbuck.
Less commonly seen species:
Tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and Indian bison or gaur. Patient watching should reward the visitor with a sight of Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, leopard, mouse deer, chausingha or four horned antelope, nilgai, ratel, and porcupine.
Rarely seen species:
Wolf, who lives in the far east of the park, chinkara, to be found outside the park’s northern boundary, Indian pangolin, the smooth Indian otter and the small Indian civet.
Commonly seen species:
Cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent eagle, racket-tailed drongo, hawk and red wattled lapwing, various species of flycatcher, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet, babbler and mynah, Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.
Avian Species:
Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbor many species, and in the grassy forest clearings.
Waterbirds can be seen near the park’s many creeks and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and the area in front of the museum.
The sat forests do generally not 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.
Park Safari
For gypsy safari, log-in to forest.mponIine.gov.in
For cantor safari, see the MPSTDC Manager. It is not available online. Best Season
October to June is the best time to visit Kanha National Park. (The Park
is closed From 1 July to 15 October due to rains.) For those planning a visit, a stay of at least three nights is recommended to have a good chance of seeing the more elusive animals.
Kanha Museum
This is a unique natural history museum that preserves skeletons of reptiles and animals and houses an exhibition of the wildlife conservation wolf done in Kanha and an audio library of sounds of birds
Things to do
⦁ Enjoy walking and cycling in the pristine air of buffer zone.
• Take a safari in open jeep (all days, except Wednesday afternoons)
⦁ Visit the nearby villages to experience life in the remote jungle — Sarekha (15km from Kisli gate), Garhi (20km from Mukki gate), Lagma (Skin from Mukki gate), Mocha (10km from Mukki gate).
⦁ Shop for the souvenir at Khatia gate.
