Kanha

Kanha is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Asia and was one of the first Project Tiger reserves in India. It is, in many ways, most successful sanctuary in Project Tiger, with the tiger population having doubled since 1976. Over 1,945 square kilometers of bamboo thickets, extensive grasslands and dense Sal forests make up Kanha Forests that lie on a series of plateaus which stretch across the eastern segment of the Satpura ranges in Madhya Pradesh. This is the real land of the tiger, the leopard, and the wolves which inhabit the pages of the “Jungle Book” of Rudyard Kipling. Of this area, the core region of about 940 square kilometers is the national park that is surrounded by a buffer zone. Porcupines, Jackals, Sloth Bear, Jungle Cat, Macaque, Dhole (Wild Dogs), Bison and a stunning spectrum of birds inhabit Kanha and make a trip to the sanctuary a must for any wildlife enthusiast.

It is a truly thrilling experience, made more so by sightings of the Tiger, Gaur Buffalow, or even the tiny Mouse Deer (Muntjac) or the rare Hardground Barasingha, found only in Kanha. In misty winter mornings you are likely to see bird beauties like the Racquet Tailed Drongo, Crimson Breasted Barbet, Crested Hawk Eagle and Golden Oriole. The park was created in 1955 by a special law and it has dedicated itself in preserving a variety of animal species since then. Many endangered species have indeed been saved here. Today Kanha is among the few most scenic and beautiful wildlife reserves in Asia. This 'Tiger Country' is the ideal home for both the predator and its prey.

The nearest airport is at Nagpur (266 kilometers or 166 miles from Kanha), which has connections to major cities in India, including Mumbai. Jabalpur, at a distance of 175 kilometers or 109 miles, also has flights from Bhopal and train connections from many cities. Though there are state government operated public buses connecting Jabalpur to Kanha, most foreign tourists travel either in small groups by coaches or by tourist taxis. From nearby towns of Raipur (219 kilometers or 136 miles) and Mukki (25 kilometers or 16 miles) also there are public and private tourist transport buses and taxis available. Raipur has flight connections to Mumbai. The Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary has two entrances at Khatia and Mukki.

One can hire a jeep from the MPSTDC office inside the park. Jeeps can be booked through the manager of the MPSTDC log huts at Kisli, though elephant-back is a far better and quieter vantage point, to explore the park. You can go on mapped circuits accompanied by guides from the forest department who help you to identify the animals and birds. If you are a birdwatcher, Kanha will give you many hours of fun – the early morning being the best time to spot the birds. Also within the park is the Kanha Museum, which focuses not just on the flora and fauna of the area, but also on the local tribal population. Winters are pleasant in Kanha National Park with an average maximum and minimum temperature of 23.9°C and 11.1°C, respectively. The annual average rainfall is 152 cm. The park is closed from July to mid-November during the monsoon season.

Accommodations:

Krishna Jungle Resort, situated on six acres of dense wild forest, just near the main entrance of the Kanha National Park at Village Khatia. The Resort offers 18 elegant cottages with air-conditioning and heating, attached bathrooms with running hot and cold water. The Banjar multi-cuisine restaurant serves delicious lunches and dinners.

Royal Tiger Resort is set amidst 6 acres of Sal Tree Forest and offers 18 comfortable cottages with attached bathrooms with 24-hour hot and cold water. The resort has its own electric generator that is used in case of power failure. The restaurant offers various non-vegetarian Indian and continental dishes.

Kanha Jungle Lodge is just a short walk from the Mukki entrance gate of the Kanha National Park. It provides visitors with a truly exciting and rewarding jungle experience. The Lodge nestles in an 11 acre estate of thick, mature Sal forests, providing an ideal setting for bird-watching, of special interest to natural-history oriented travelers. Set in the midst of the Sal jungle, the Lodge has 19 spacious twin-bed rooms, with all the modern facilities of attached baths, running hot and cold water, and comfortable furniture. A spacious, cozy, thatched dining room, serving both Indian and Continental cuisine, becomes the centre-point of activities. Special theme-dinners arranged on request.

The Celebration Van Vilas Resort offers 25 air-conditioned rooms, 6 air-cooled rooms and 3 air-conditioned spacious suites in its cottages that are laid out in about 6 acres of forest with easy access to Kathia Village entrance to the Kanha National Park. The dining room serves Indian and continental dishes.

Mapple Retreat offers 4 deluxe tents with attached concrete bathrooms; 4 air-conditioned cottages and 12 air-conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms. The dining room offers international fusion cuisine.

The Tuli Tiger Resort is well placed in the buffer zone of the Park. It has a natural lake created in its boundary, which extends to 80,000 sq. meters. It is adjacent to a rivulet, which meets the main river called Banjar at a distance of about 100 meters. There are 18 well-appointed rooms at the Tuli Tiger Resort. 24 hours room service with same day laundry & dry cleaning, STD, Fax and Conference facility is available, plus all rooms are equipped with telephones. Traditional Restaurant serving Continental and Indian Cuisines for the satisfaction of your taste buds. An Open Air Barbeque adds to the jungle atmosphere "Tribal dance at night".

Wild Chalet Resort is the wildlife resort in Kanha National Park. The resort is situated at the edge of the national park on the banks of River Banjar and offers secure and comfortable stay to the tourists. The resort offers 16 cottages to the guests. The cottages are replete with modern amenities that make the stay in Kanha convenient. The in-house restaurant of the resort serves sumptuous Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines, and the well stocked bar of the resort promises to keep your spirits soaring.

Distance from Kanha National Park in Kilometers and Miles:

Nagpur: 266 Kilometers or 166 Miles
Jabalpur: 175 Kilometers or 109 Miles
Raipur: 219 Kilometers or 136 Miles
Bandhavgarh: 265 Kilometers or 165 Miles
Khajuraho: 445 Kilometers or 276 Miles
Mukki: 25 Kilometers or 16 Miles