Kanha National Park 
Factfile
Location : District - Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
Area : 1,945 sq km
Major Attractions : Tigers, Leopards and Bears.
Best Time to Visit : Kanha is open only from mid-November
to June, and close rest of the year.
Timings : 6 am to noon, 3 pm to 5.30 pm.
Entry Fee : Rs 25 for Indians, Rs 500 for foreigners,
including morning and afternoon safaris.
Camera Charges : Still Camera - Rs 40, Video Camera - Rs
300.
Vehicle Entry : Rs 100 per entrance.
Introducing Kanha National Park
Situated
in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park has been the
source of inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's all time great classic 'Jungle
Book.' One of the most popular tiger reserves of the world, Kanha National
Park is sandwiched between the spectacular Banjar and Halon valleys. The
Park spreads over an area of 1,945 sq.kms out of which 940 sq.kms forms the
main area which is encircled by the spurs of the Mekal. Kanha National Park
was established in the year 1955 and since then it has been preserving a
variety of animal species and many endangered species. Even today, after 50
years of its establishment, Kanha National Park retains its old charm and is
still as beautiful.
Blessed with a picturesque landscape, Kanha is drained by the rivers
Surpan, Sulkum, Banjar and Nila and covered by the thick grasslands.
Besides, the steep rocky outcrops along the edge of the park add more to its
beauty. By far the most striking feature of Kanha National Park is Tiger,
here you can spot tiger roaming freely in the wilderness of its natural
habitat. Apart from it, Kanha is also noted for other wild animals like
Barasingha and various deer species.
Flora of the National Park
Kanha National Park has a varied topography consisting of huge plateaus and
vast grasslands. The Park is deeply forested with trees like Haldu, Bija and
Dhaora. Besides, you will abundantly find Bamboo forests, Sal forests,
Ban-rahar and Sindhur. Kanha is also home to expansive meadows left behind
by villages relocated outside the park. During the cooler and greener
months, Kanha National Park becomes amazingly scenic with its lush greenery,
which is the perfect time to visit the park.
Fauna of the National Park
Usually spotting the wild animals in national park or wildlife sanctuaries
is a matter of luck, but Kanha National Park is so rich in wildlife that you
can easily spot a number of wild animals. Kanha is noted for its tiger
population, which attracts large number of visitors every year. In addition
to Tigers, you can also watch several other wild animals like Leopard, Gaur
or Indian Bison, Wild Pig, Antelope, Black Buck, Barking Deer, Swamp Deer,
Spotted Deer, Chousingha, Barasingha, Jackal, Fox, Nilgai, Porcupine, Gray
Langurs, Mongoose, Hyena, Jungle Cat etc.
Kanha National Park has also a rich avian population including 175
different varieties. Popular bird species which you can watch in Kanha
include Green Pigeons, Rock Pigeons, Partridges, Orioles, Hoopoes, Pond
Herons, Spotted Parakeets, Drongos, Peacock, Pintails, Egrets, Storks, Pea
Fowl, Jungle Fowl, Spur Fowl, Quails, Ring Doves, Kingfishers, Cuckoos,
Papihas, Rollers, Bee-eater, Warblers, Fly catchers, Teals, Woodpeckers,
Finches and Owls.
Activities You Can Take Part In
Elephant
Safari : Elephant Safari is the most popular leisure activity which you
take up in Kanha National Park. In fact, Elephant Safari is the best way to
observe the wild animals in Kanha National Park. A ride on the elephant back
takes you to open country side and provides good chances of sightings
wildlife. Elephant Safari in Kanha National Park is a wonderful experience,
better you visit the park and explore this pictursque tiger country yourself
on the elephant back.
Other Attractions
Kanha Museum : The Kanha Museum at Kanha National Park is
a must visit place. The museum has a good collection of items depicting
attributes and activities of the park and also the tribal culture of Madhya
Pradesh. Kanha Museum is closed every Wednesday.
Where to Stay
Enough good accommodation options are available in Kanha and in the nearby
places. In Kanha, there are a number of star category hotels catering to the
needs of visitors coming to explore the Park. Some of the popular resorts
and lodges in and around Kanha include Kanha Jungle Lodge, Tuli Tiger Resort
and Wild Chalet Resort.
How to Reach
Nearest airport is located at Nagpur, which is 266 kms away from Kanha
National Park. Nagpur airport is connected by numerous domestic flights with
Mumbai. Jabalpur (169 kms) is the nearest railhead from where you have to
take bus or jeep services to reach Kanha. Good network of roads connect
Kanha with Jabalpur (175 kms), Nagpur (266 kms) and Khajuraho (445 kms). For
the local transport, the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development
Corporation (MPSTDC) operates a Jeep Service to move around in the park.
