About Kanha National Park
The
lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha provided
inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel "The Jungle Book".
Kanha National Park located in the Mandla district of 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
the Sunset Point, it offers the most awe-inspiring backdrop of the setting
sun 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.
Wildlife Attractions in Kanha National Park
Barasingha
If one animal species were to represent Kanha, it would probably be the
barasingha, or the swamp deer. The barasinghas at Kanha are unique, being
the hard ground variety, which populate the large open tracts of grass
amidst the forests of teak and bamboo. Twenty years ago, the Barasingha was
faced with extinction but some desperate measures which included the
fencing-off of some animals helped save them and again the air in Kanha
bugled with their rutting calls.
Animal Population
The main wildlife attractions in the park are tiger, bison, gaur, sambhar,
chital, barasingha, barking deer, black deer, black buck, chousingha,
nilgai, mouse deer, sloth bear, jackal fox, porcupine, hyena, jungle cat,
python, pea fowl, hare, monkey, mongoose, tiger, and leopard.
Bird Population
The bird species in the park include storks, teals, pintails, pond herons,
egrets, peacock, pea fowl, jungle fowl, spur fowl, partridges, quails, ring
doves, spotted parakeets, green pigeons, rock pigeons, cuckoos, papihas,
rollers, bee-eater, hoopoes, drongos, warblers, kingfishers, woodpeckers,
finches, orioles, owls and fly catchers.
Safaris
Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari are the two options for spotting wild
animals in the park. The safaris can be enjoyed any time during the day
while the best time for animal spotting is during early morning or late
evening. The safari timings generally are 6 AM to 12 Noon and 3 to 5:30 PM.
While it is essential to take along a park guide on a jeep safari, an
elephant safari is the better option where the mahout or the elephant driver
will be your companion and guide. To get on an Elephant ride, one has to
book a seat for the Tiger show, offered in the mornings.
Other Attractions
Kanha Museum
You can top your visit to the Kanha National Park by visiting the Kanha
Museum, situated inside the park. The museum provides useful information
about varied topics including the topography, park maps, pug marks of
various animals etc, which can enhance your experience of visiting the park.
Raja Rani
Near the visitor centre one can see the stumps of two giant sal trees that
are worshipped daily in the forests. Known as Raja Rani, these trees once
lived in the Kanha National Park.
How to Get There
By Air: Jabalpur is the nearest airport, while Nagpur is
the nearest most convenient airport. Indian Airlines operates daily
Delhi-Nagpur (7:15) and Mumbai-Nagpur (6:40 & 19:40) flights. Jet
Airways also has a daily flight schedule of Mumbai-Nagpur and Delhi-Nagpur.
By Rail: Jabalpur (169 kms/4 hrs) is the nearest
railhead. Daily trains between Delhi and Jabalpur are Mahakoshal Exp.
(16:25) and Gondwana Express (14:30), while Mumbai is connected through the
Mahanagari Exp. (00:10), Rajendra Ngr Exp. (23:40), Kolkata Mail (21:25),
LTT RJPB Exp. (22:10) and Gorakhpur Express (6:35). Other major trains
plying to Jabalpur include Sanghamitra Exp. (Bangalore-Jabalpur, 6:57, Tue &
Fri) and Varanasi Exp. (Chennai-Jabalpur, 17:30, Mon & Sat).
By Road: There are regular to and fro bus services
available from Jabalpur to Kanha. Cars can be hired from all the nearby
towns to reach Kanha, the choice should however be an all terrain 4 wheel
petrol vehicle. The drive from Nagpur to Kisli takes around 6 hours by car.
The travel up to Seoni (130 km) on the Jabalpur National Highway is a smooth
drive. From Seoni, take a right turn to Keolari, Nainpur and Chiraidongri to
finally reach the Kisli gate of the park. Alternately, to reach the Mukki
gate, divert away from Seoni through Balaghat and Boihar. Another option is
the drive from Jabalpur (well connected by train to major Indian cities) via
Tikaria and Mandla. To reach the park from Nagpur, take the NH6 to Bhandara.
From there state roads lead to Kanha (Mukki) via Balaghat and Baihar.
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.
Distances from Major Cities
Nagpur : 266 km
Khajuraho : 445 km
Delhi : 940 km (SE)
Mumbai : 870 km
Bhopal : 480 km (SE)
Nagpur : 270 km (NE)
Travel Tips/ Important Information
- There are two main entry points into the park, Kisli and Mukki (on
the western side at a distance of 35 km from one another). Entering from
the Kisli gate from Khatia, you will see the most biodiversity. It is
the point of start for most safaris and also a major camping site. Both
the entrances have canteens and orientation centres with sale counters
where brochures and souvenirs are sold.
- Park timings are 6 AM till noon & 3 to 5:30 PM.
- Visitors are only allowed to go on jeep safari at designated times,
which are in the morning from 6:30 to 10:00 and evening 2:30 to 6:00.
Only petrol vehicles are allowed inside the park (speed limit 20 km/hr).
- The park charges are Entry Fee : Rs. 25 (Indians) & Rs. 500
(foreigners including morning and afternoon safaris)Vehicle Entry : Rs.
150, Camera : Rs. 40 (still), Rs. 300 (video), Tiger Show : Rs. 100
(Indians) & Rs. 600 (foreigners), Guide Charges per vehicle : Rs.
100
- Gypsies are available for hire at Kisli Gate. The cost of hiring a
jeep is Rs. 13/km, which is shared among the passengers.
- Follow the rules of the park and do not pollute the environs by
leaving behind litter and other non biodegradable material. The forest
authorities are very strict in enforcing the rule and any discrepancies
by the visitors are immediately reported and could mean heavy penalties.
- Do not forget to carry along binoculars and camera. Prior booking and
basic information about the place can be of much help.
Our years of experience in organising trips to Kanha and other national
parks in India give us an edge over our competitors. Book through us to
explore the Indian wilderness in a way never seen before.
Click
Here!
Jungle
Resorts in Kanha
| Tuli
Jungle Resort |
Taal |
Situated in the
heart of Kanha, the Tuli Tiger Resort beckons Tiger lovers from all over
the World to come and explore Kanha.
|
This resort is
furnished with a natural environment and homely services. Since
everything is taken care of all you have to do is lay back and enjoy.
|
"The
stage managed sighting of a tiger organised by the park authorities was
as exciting and jaw slacking as catching a sudden glimpse in the
wild...You will surely have a grand time there." 
