There are numerous Tiger reserves in India, that are preserving this elusive beast, but nowhere can you see them as often, and as frequently as in Kanha National Park. Kanha National Park, located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh extends over an area of 1,940-sq kms. The striking feature of this region's spectacular topography is the horseshoe shape valley and the whole park area is surrounded by the spurs of the Mekal. The Surpan River flows through Kanha's central Maidans, grasslands that cover the extensive plateau. Steep rocky escrapments along the edges offer astounding vistas of the valley. The wildlife of Kanha is so impressive that it once prompted Rudyard Kipling to write the well famous "Jungle Book".


Sightseeing at Kanha National Park -
The Flora : The terrain inside the park is varied, nonetheless fascinating. The entire forest is intermixed with Bamboo and Sal forests and meadows.

The Fauna : While you are on your mission to find a tiger, you can easily catch glimpses of all the grazers, a Porcupine, many Gray Langurs, Mongoose, Hyena, Jungle Cat, even a Leopard. Other wild attractions in this Tiger country include varieties of Deer - the Barasingha, Chital or Spotted Deer, Chousingha, Nilgai, Antelope, the Black Buck as well as the majestic Gaur or Indian Bison and wild Pig.

The Avifauna : Kanha is also rich in bird population. Kanha has over 300 different species of birds within its complex. Some of the more interesting ones for bird lovers to look out for are Pied or Marsh Harriers, Red Jungle Fowls, Painted Spur Fowls, Paradise Flycatchers, Pied Malabar Hornbills, Indian Pittas, Indian Stone Curlews, Common Gray Partridges, Warblers, Flycatchers, Babblers, Woodpeckers, Painted Partridges, Green Pigeons, Black Ibis, White Necked Storks, Lesser Adjutant Storks, White breasted Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers, Egrets and Cormorants.

Other Attractions : Kanha Museum at Kanha National Park, presenting attributes and activities of the park and the tribal culture of the state of Madhya Pradesh is a must see.

Park Trips : The animals at Kanha are best observed from the elephant back and the open country makes the chance of sightings reasonably good.

Best Season to Visit : The visiting season to Kanha national park is within the months of April to June and November to January. The park is closed from July to Mid-November that is during the monsoon season.


Reaching Kanha National Park-
By Air : Nagpur at 266-kms is the nearest Airport to visit Kanha National Park and is connected by various domestic airline services with Mumbai.
By Rail : Jabalpur at 169-kms is the convenient rail head to visit Kanha.
By Road : Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur 175-kms, Khajuraho 445-kms, Nagpur 266-kms, Mukki 25-kms, Raipur 219-kms. There are regular to and fro bus service available from Jabalpur to Kanha.