Kanha National Park
This is one of India's most visited wildlife area, leading to its having an excellent tourist infrastructure. It is famous for the wonderful views of tigers visitors get from elephant back. Wildlife here is more accessible than many parks in India. Kanha is also famous for its gaur and the hard-hoofed swamp deer (Barasingha).Kanha was recently declared the Best Maintained Tourist Friendly National Park.
Bamni Dadar :
Known as Sunset Point, this is one of the most beautiful areas of the park, from where a spectacular sunset can be watched. The dense luxuriance of Kanha's forests can be seen from here. Animals that can be sighted around this point are typical of the mixed forest zone sambar, barking deer, gaur and four-horned antelope.
Wildlife (Mammalian Species) :
Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are the Striped Palm Squirrel, Common Langur, Jackal, Wild Pig, Chital or Spotted Deer, Barasingha or Swamp Deer, Sambar and Black Buck.
Less commonly seen species are Tiger, Indian Hare, Dhole or Indian Wild Dog, Barking Deer, Indian Bison or Gaur. Patient watching should reward the visitor with s sight of; Indian Fox, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four-horned Antelope, Nilgai , Ratel and Porcupine. Very rarely seen species are Wolf which lives in the far east of the park, Chinkara found outside the Park's northern boundary, Indian Pangolin, the smooth Indian Otter and the small Indian Civet.
Avian Species Kanha also has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species and in the grassy forest clearings.Water birds can be seen near the park's many rivulets and a Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and the area in from of the museum. The Sal forests do not normally yield a sight of Kanha's avifauna. Early morning and late afternoon are best for bird-watching; binoculars are an invaluable aid to the watcher.
Commonly seen species are Cattle Egret, Pong Heron, Black Ibis, Common Peafowl, Crested Serpent, Racket-Tailed Drongo, Hawk Eagle, Woodpecker, Pigeon, Dove, Parakeet, Babbler and Mynah, Indian Roller, White-Breasted Kingfisher and Gray Hornbill.
General Information :
Area : 939.94 Sq. Km.
Altitude : 450 - 950 metres
Climate : Summer 11-43, Winter 2-29 degrees.
Warm clothing essential for early morning and dusk drives.
Access:
Nearest town is Mandla 35 km from Kisli, where field director's office is situated. The nearest airport and railway station are at Jabalpur, 160 from Kisli and 187 km to Mukki. A train or flight to Jabalpur (160 kms) is recommended to reach Kanha. Taxis/Buses are available from here to Kanha going via Mandla. The other airport and railway station are at Nagpur, 255 from Kisli, 287 km to Mukki. From Nagpur it is possible to drive. One route is to Seoni and then via Ninpur to Kanha, If destination is Mukki, there is a more scenic route via Balaghat, off the main highways and with less traffic. Other railway links are Gondia 125, Raipur 178 and Bilaspur 188 km to Mukki.
Best Time :
The park is open from November to June. Each of the seasons has its unique attractions. The weather can be chilly in December-January; spring lasts from February to the end of March, and summer weather in April-June becomes hot.
THE COOL SEASON ( November-February) :
During the cool months, the winter air in the park is invigorating. Maximum temperatures by day rarely exceed 30°C. Due to the rains, the vegetation in November is green and fresh, but severe frost in late December-January may turn the meadows brown. Baby Chital and Langur monkeys in February will enchant the wildlife watcher.
THE WARM SEASON ( March-June) :
Summer in Kanha is not very harsh. Though the daytime temperature may sometimes reach 40°C. in the shade, hot winds rarely occur. Toward the end of the warm season, Chital or Spotted Deer (Axis Axis) enter their rutting period, and the meadows are full of dominant stags.
Where to Stay :
Krishna Jungle Lodge
Tuli Resort
Wild Chalet
Mogli Resort
Royal Tiger Resort
Kanha Jungle Lodge
Suggested Programme :
Day 01 : Nagpur / Kanha (300 km)
Depart for Kanha by car. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the sanctuary by jeep.
Day 02 : Kanha
Morning and evening jeep excursion into the park for game viewing.
Day 03 : Kanha / Nagpur
Depart for Nagpur by car.
