Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park is in Madhya Pradesh in India. Kanha National Park is one of the most beautiful and well managed of all national parks in India. Tourist throng here to see the magnificent big cat tiger and one of the rarest deer, the Hard ground Barasingha (Swamp Deer), also known as the jewel of Kanha National Park. Many endangered species have indeed been saved here.

Understand
Many wildlife species are present in Kanha National Park. These wildlife species create the core of the Kanha national park, Kanha Kisli National Park which was taken under Project Tiger Reserve in 1974. This park is the only habitat for rare hard ground Barasingha in India.

This 'Tiger Country' is the ideal home for both predator and prey. The romance of the Kanha National Park has not reduced over time – it is still as beautiful as described by Rudyard Kipling in The Jungle Book.

Kanha National Park and Tiger Reserve extends over an area of over 1,940 km² of which 940 km² is designated core area and the rest buffer. The major feature of this region's interesting topography is the horseshoe shape valley and the whole park area is surrounded by the spurs of the Mekal. The Surpan River meanders through Kanha's central Maidans, grasslands that cover the extensive plateau. Kanha National Park offers home to rare hard ground barasingha.

Kanha's sal and bamboo forests and rolling grasslands, are by far the most striking features of this region where sighting Swamp deer, Sambhar, Chital, Gaur and other denizens of jungle is common.

History
The park was created in 1955 by a special law and, since then, it has dedicated itself in preserving a variety of animal species. It was declared a tiger reserve in 1974 and since then has been under constant vigilance and conservation activities are being followed diligently.

Flora
Shorea robusta, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Terminalia tomentosa, Dendrocalamus strictus

Fauna
Chital Cervus axis, sambar Cervus unicolor, barasingha Cervus duvauceli branderi, barking deer Muntiacus muntjak, chausingha Tetracerus quadricornis, gaur Bos gaurus, langur Presbytis entellus, wild pig Sus scrofa, jackal Canis aureus, sloth bear Melursus ursinus, wild dog Cuon alpinus, panther Panthera pardus, tiger Panthera tigris.

The main wildlife attractions in the reserve are Tiger, Gaur, Sambhar, Chital, Barasingha, Barking deer, Sloth bear, Jackal, Fox, Porcupine, Jungle cat, Python, Hare, Monkey, Mongoose and leopard. Including many reptiles, insects and butterflies you can enjoy the creation of God in its colour and splendor.

The bird species include Storks, Teals, Pintails, Pond herons, Egrets, Peacock, Pea fowl, Jungle fowl, Spur fowl, Partridges, Quails, Ring doves, Spotted parakeets, Green pigeons, Cuckoos, Rollers, Bee-eater, Hoopoes, Drongos, Warblers, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Finches, Orioles, Owls, and Fly catchers amongst many others.

Climate
The climate of this region is tropical. Summers are hot and dry with a maximum and minimum temperature of 42°C and 24°C. Winters are cold with an average maximum and minimum temperature of 24°C and 1°C, respectively. The annual average rainfall is 152 cm. The park is closed from July to mid October during monsoon.

Get in
Jabalpur has the nearest airport and railway head, about 3 hours away. Mandla is the nearest city. Khatia (3 km from Kisli) and Mukki are the two main entry points to the Kanha National Park. Kisli is 165 km south from Jabalpur via Chiraidongri, and Mukki is 203 km via Motinala and Garhi. For travellers from Bilaspur (182 km), Raipur (190 km) and Balaghat (83 km), Mukki on State Highway No. 26 is more convenient. From Nagpur, Kisli is 259 km via Nainpur and Chiraidongri, and Mukki is 250 km via Balaghat.

With flight connectivity from Mumbai and Delhi it has become a very good option for travellers to come via Jabalpur.

Fees and permits
To enter the national parks tourism zone, tourists must pay an entry fees of ₹1370 per entry but entry for Mukki, Kanha, Kisli, Sarhi, Zone is ₹1370 per entry. Additional ₹360 guide charges. The national park can be visited only by Gypsies which are available in plenty at the entry gate or else can be booked via resort you are staying at. One Gypsy is allowed to carry maximum 6 tourists. For student groups entry fees can be made 50% on special request to the field director office in advance.

Foreign tourists have to pay double the entry fees of Indian tourist i.e. ₹1370 Entry Fees + ₹360 Guide Charges + ₹2000 gypsy charges= ₹3730 Mukki, Kanha, Kisli, Sarhi. For Kanha Kisli national park zone, guide charges and ticket charges are same. All rates are in Indian rupees.

The park is closed between 30 June and 30 September annually.

Get around
The best way of taking a safari in the park is in open Gypsy which are available and can be booked on reaching or directly through www.mponline.gov.in a government website. Present booking charges for safaris are ₹1230 per safari. Rates for morning and evening rides are between ₹1500 to ₹2500 and ₹1000 to ₹1700 respectively. If you are reaching in main tourist season or week ends and holidays its better to book your Gypsy and pay your entry fees in advance or else you may just watch people going in yourself sitting at your resort.

Zones
Kanha national parks tourism area is divided into 4 zones - Kanha, Kisli, Sarai and Mukki with Kanha zone being the premium zone. Although all the zones are equally good as far as bio diversity is concerned but tigers in Kanha and Kisli zones are more accustomed to Gypsy and human traffic and so much easily sighted. To check Tourism maps of Kanha National Park see: Kanha National Park Tourism Zone maps

See

 * Bamni Dadar is well known as the sunset point. It is famous among the tourists coming to visit Kanha National Park. Almost every tourist who comes to visit Kanha Sanctuary also visits sunset point. Sunset is the best time to capture the scenic beauty of Kanha National Park in the camera. Animals like Sambar, Barking Deer, Gaur and the Four Horned Antelope can be easily seen here.
 * Kanha Museum: Kanha Museum is located inside the park and is amazing place to visit. This is the best place to get information about the topography and different interesting aspects about the park.
 * Medicinal Plantation: Medicinal Plantation Conservation Area (MPCA) is located at village Boda Chhapri 2 km from village Mocha and worth a visit. But do remember to ask for a naturalist with good knowledge of plants and do not go on your own as this place is well inside dense forest. Best is to contact the local forest officers for permission and guide.

Do
Kanha tourism is divided in 4 zones Kanha, Kisli, Sarhi and Mukki with Kanha zone being the premium zone. It is good if you take morning safari to Kanha zone and evening to Kisli or Sarhi zones. 
 *  Elephant Safari: This is one of the best ways to give a closer view to the animals of Kanha national park. Tourists can enjoy the amazing sightseeing as well as enjoy the wild animals in their natural habitat.
 * Jungle walk (Nature trails): One of the best way to explore and understand the local bio diversity is on foot. Forest department has made jungle trails near Khatia entrance gate and Village Chhapri. To go on trail contact your accommodation provider or at the entrance gate. Nature trail at village chhapri is highly recommended for bird watchers.

Buy
There are a lot of options for buying stuff as Kanha is a highly commercialized forest.There are a huge number of stores available. You can try buying local handicrafts and t-shirts or key chains and woodworks. You can even buy stuff from the stores. most items are overpriced so use your sense and negotiate.

Drink
Popular brands of liquor are available at the wine shop at Mocha.

Go next

 * Kawardha Palace is a three-hour drive from the Kanha National Park. This beautiful resort was built in the period of 1936-39 by the king Dharamraj Singh.  This resort is spread in the area of eleven acres and beautiful Italian marble is used to built this resort.  Other places near to Kawardha Palace are Mandawa mahal, Krishna Temple, Madan manjari Mahal and Bhoremdeo Temple.
 * Bandhavgarh - Golbro Tiger View Resort (GTV Resort), near petrol pump, Tala, Bandhavgarh website
 * Kanha Kisli National Park - Kanha Kisli National Park - Contact Shailesh Savaria - 9893392495.