Kanha National Park

Situated in the cradle of Maikal Hills in the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Kanha is a tiger heaven. Kanha National Park is co managed by the state and the Project Tiger which is a Government of India initiative. Hence it is also known as a tiger reserve.

The park is a biodiversity zone with abundant flora and fauna inhabiting its confines. The keystone species is the tiger and the other tertiary carnivore is the leopard. But the tiger rules here and the population is thriving. Kanha is one of the best managed parks in India and more than hundred tigers survive and breed here.

The forests are Sal dominated with bamboo flourishing at slopes. There are mixed forest zones and extensive grasslands interspersed with rivulets. The notable feature of the park are the Dadars or low rise table top mountains. The table tops are a unique niche ecosystem which support four horned deer, bison and tiger. The canopy differs from that of the slopes and forests in the plains. Meadows or grasslands are prime habitats for the tigers since they support the largest prey base in the reserve.

Popular for the endangered tigersm, Kanha gained fame for successfully bringing back the hard ground swamp deer or Barasingha from a certain extinction. Other animals that are easily seen are the spotted deer, sambar, langur, jackal, wild boar, barking deer and bison or gaur. Sloth bear and leopards are seen whence lady luck shines.

Kanha is a good birding habitat especially for forest birds. There are more than two hundred avian species inhabiting the park. The numbers include winter migratory birds.

Kanha is a tiger conservation center and has an are of 940 sq.km notified as core zone and 1005 sq.km as buffer zone. The park is managed by the forest department of Madhya Pradesh. The field director office is situated at Mandla in between Kanha and Jabalpur.

Kanha Tiger reserve is the best place to see the tiger in the wild in India. At Kanha, the tiger safaris are organized on jeeps since trekking in the forest is not allowed. The jeep safaris are conducted in early morning hours till noon. The second session begins after noon around 3 pm and ends by dusk.

The game rides are the best way to see animals in their natural habitats. The rides cover a wide spectrum of Kanha's niche habitats and landscapes. It yields exciting sightings of tigers and other wild animals of the preserve. The safaris are the best means to enjoy birding at Kanha. One can go on foot in the treks in buffer zone for bird watching.

Formalities: Kanha tiger safari

For the safaris in the park an entry fee, vehicle fee and camera/movie fee has to be paid separately both the times. Though many vehicles are in company of trained naturalists employed by the hotels at Kanha it is compulsory to hire a forest guide at the gate.

Due to heavy rush jungle routes are preassigned and the tourist vehicle can ply only on the given route. The park is very strict on rules and regulations. Any impeachment can result in temporary loss of job for the forest guide and a ban placed on the jeep.

Kanha safaris are meant to be enjoyed in a holistic manner and not just trekking tigers. A look at the birds and wild flora will certainly make your wildlife watching experience in Central India fruitful.

The safari at this wonderful nature preserve offers a wide view of the scapes of its different habitats. During the ride one can come across many of its animals and birds. Those luck can see the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, bison, swamp deer and the wild dog.

The common sightings are those of langurs, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar and barking deer. The tiger is the prime interest of the tourist and most of the ti,e is spent looking for the big cat. However going for a holistic experience of this ecosystem yields much more satisfaction.

For bird watchers their is enough excitement since Kanha is a fantastic birding place. For most tourist an expert birding guide comes very handy in the dense forest of this tiger haven.

Tourism infrastructure at Kanha is well established since years. The park has a network of well maintained jungle roads for excursions. There are camps in the park for rest breaks and meals. The nature preserve has few interpretation centers that act as natural history museums as well.

Edibles are not allowed to be consumed just anywhere in this park. The Kanha Museum has a canteen where breakfast can be had inside. This applies to other zones as well with their respective canteens or centers.

The safari is organized on open jeeps as mentioned above. The tourists can hire the jeeps directly or ask their hotels for assistance. One can also enter the preserve using one's own vehicle but an extra charge has to be paid.

The Tourism Area is divided into four zones:
Kanha Zone
Kisli Zone
Mukki Zone
Sarhi Zone

Kahna Zine covers the best tiger habitats hence it is designated as the premium zone. The gate fee here is higher and due to heavy demand the gate entry has to be booked in advance.

The interpretation centers are well equipped for learning all about the park ecosystem and its wild denizens. Wild life movies are on show almost on daily basis. A visit to the centers is entertaining as well as educational.

Accommodations and the hotels in Kanha are situated outside the buffer zone. As well equipped wildlife resorts, they offer luxury stay and also organize tourism in the National Park. There are number of old rest houses inside the park but they are reserved for VIPs and Officials.

Various types of hotel resorts in Kanha National Park are available for a stay. The accommodations range from budget to three star hotels. These are situated near the Khatia and Mukki Gate. No resort has come up so far at Sarhi Gate. Food can be had at many dhabas or small restaurants if you wish to economize.

The hotels should be booked well in advance. Due to holiday rush one it will become difficult to find accommodation. There are many hotel websites that offer online booking which is one good way to reserve your stay.

Kanha National Park is home to amazing avian species which includes wintering birds. The preserve boasts of more than two hundred fifty bird species that are seen during the expedition.

The major attractions are:

Malabar Pied Hornbill, Red Jungle Fowl, Painted Spurfowl, Red Spurfowl, Painted Francolin, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Tawny Babbler, Spangled Drongo, Puff Throated Babbler, Verditor Flycatcher, Common Iora, Red Wattled Lapwing, Yellow Wattled Lapwing, Eurasian Thicknee, Northern Pintail, Lesser Whistling Teal, Blacknaped Monarch, Paradise Flycatcher, Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher, Hume's Warbler, Indian Pitta, Jungle Myna, Eurasian Wigeon, Greater Racket Tailed Drongo, Red Avadavat, Spotted Munia, Black Headed Munia, Indian Silver Bill, Jerdon's Leaf Bird, Golden Oriole, Black Hooded Oriole, Brahmani Myna, Pied Starling, Brown Cheek Fulvetta, Brown Fish Owl, Spotted Owlet, Barred Jungle Owlet, White Eyed Buzzard, Pallas Fish Eagle, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Changeable Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, White Backed Vulture, Egyptian Eagle, Pariah Kite, Plum Headed Parakeet, Alxendrine Parakeet, Sirkeer Malkhowa, and many more species.

A good pair of binocular is a must for this activity here. A spotting scope is not of much use here but if you can bring it no problem. A good reference book is a must for identification. If you can hire a professional bird guide it will be rewarding.

The refuge lies in the center of India near Jabalpur and Mandla Towns. Jabalpur is well connected with New Delhi by Air and Rail. Usually two flights operate from New Delhi and one from Mumbai. The state is also interconnected by flights using small aircraft.

There are four five overnight trains that ply between Jabalpur and the Capital City.

By road Kanha is about 165 km from Jabalpur and more than 200 from Pench National Park. Approximately same distance lies between Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Park in MP.