Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha National Park-the core imaginative platform and the source of inspiration for the famous writer Rudyard Kipling for his notable novel, "the Jungle Book"; has a different and impressive image in the eye of nature lovers. The most preferred zone for tiger tour, the Kanha Tiger Reserve is the first national park and the tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The park has the significant population of wild species including Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, the sloth bear, Barasingha and Indian wild dog.

Location

Located in the Mandala and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, the park was earlier divided into two sanctuaries namely Hallon and Banjar with an area of 250 sq km and 300 sq km respectively till 1933. Later the park was christened into Kanha National Park on June1, 1955. It is now being stretched into the regions of 1067 km² including the buffer zone along with the neighboring Phen Sanctuary of 110 km² to form the Kanha Tiger Reserve in 1974.

Geographical Information

Kanha is the largest national park in central India and is famously being called the Wild Magic. Kanha Reserve is being located in the Maikal range forming the eastern base of the triangular Satpura ranges. It lies 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Jabalpur and 270 km (170 miles) northeast of the city of Nagpur (Maharashtra)Geographically Kanha Reserve is the fantastic location in the central Indian highlands with latitude: 22° 7' to 22° 27'N and longitude: 80° 26' to 81° 3'E.

Different Zones of Kanha

The park has been divided into 6 ranges for better management in the vicinity that comprises of Kisli, Kanha,Sarhi and Mukki in the western block; and Bhaisanghat and Supkhar in the eastern sector which remain closed for the public.

Flora in Kanha National Park

Although the whole Madhya Pradesh is being widely known for the lush dense forests but Kanha Park alone brings the wholesome effects of greenery in its vast vicinity. Interestingly, it's a perfect destination for over 200 species of flowering plants and is a low land forest to bring a mixture of Sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed forest trees, mingled with meadows. The moderate and favorable climate and varied topography supports the growth of a rich and varied flora in the Park. Over 70 species of trees are found in Kanha.

Types of Forest Area in Kanha

The central highlands of Kanha are normally tropical moist dry deciduous type but still one can find the variation in its types as:

• Moist Peninsular Sal Forests (3 C/C2)
• Southern Tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (3 A/C 2a)
• Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forest (5 A/C-3)

Fauna in Kanha Reserve

The largest reserve in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is the perfect abode for different herbivorous and carnivorous animals. The wildlife lovers can find the ample amount of distinct species of wild creatures in the vicinity in abundance. The reserve is also the perfect habitat for the most endangered species the Indian tigers and the Swamp Deer, Barasingha. Barasingha is often referred as the jewel of Kanha due to its abundant presence in the area. Along with that different species of mammalians, reptiles, fishes and birds can also be found here. It is to be noted that there are around 300 species of avi-faunas that can be found in the reserve area, a perfect destination for the ornithologists.

Climate in Kanha

With remarkable variations in climate, Kanha brings the tropical condition and the summer temperatures exceed up to 43°C. Monsoons are heavy during June to September and the rest of the season remains beautiful and pleasant in the months of October to March.

• Summers- extreme- hot and dry (April-June) - max temperature- 43° C
• Monsoons- mid June-September - average rainfall- 1800 mm
• Winters- quite cold (Nov- Feb) and frost covers the meadows- min temp - 2° C

Travel Tips

Kanha tiger reserve is being well connected from the major destinations of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

By Road : one can get easy access to the reserve directly through the major nearby destinations like Nagpur, Jabalpur, Raipur, Bilaspur or Bhilai.

By Train : The Nearest Railway Stations for accessing Kanha National Park is Gondia & Jabalpur. Gondia railway station is 145kms / 03:00 hrs drive from Kanha (Khatia Entrance Gate). Jabalpur railway station is 160kms / 04:00 hrs drive from Kanha (Mukki Entrance Gate)

By Air : The Nearest Airport for Kanha National Park are Jabalpur 160 Kms, Raipur 250 Kms & Nagpur 300 Kms.

Activities to do in Kanha

Kanha National Park is the most visited place for the enthusiastic wildlife lovers as well the nature lovers. This is the reason people can perform multiple activities here like

• Jungle Safari in Kanha
• Tiger Tour
• Bird Watching
• Sight-seeing and many more

Best Time to Visit

The best season to throng at Kanha National Park is between mid of October till the last months of June.

Wildlife Safari in the Kanha National Park:

Visiting Season

Months from November-June are favorable for visitation in the park; still the best period is February-April.

Hotels & Resorts in Kanha National Park

Icons Summary Restaurant Internet Service Tea/Coffe Machine Business Centre Swimming pool Travel Desk Doctor on Call Baby Sitting Health club Bar Safe Deposit Amphitheatre Library Std/Isd Money Exchange

Krishna Jungle Resort
	The Krishna Jungle Resort at the Kanha National Park, is owned and managed by Hotel Krishna, Jabalpur, a 3-star hotel rated as one of the best hotels in Central India.

The Wild Chalet Resort
	Wild Chalet Resort is situated on the banks of the Banjar River , Wild Chalet is an ideal entrance to Kanha National Park Each of the Charming cream washed cottages,

Tuli Tiger Resort
	Tuli Tiger Resort is situated in the heart of Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), the Tuli Tiger Resort beckons Tiger lovers from all over the World to come and explore Kanha. The Resort has a setting which makes you feel that you are camping out .

Kanha Jungle Lodge
	Located at Mukki (in Balaghat District) amidst the Sal forests, the lodge is about one kilometer from Kanha National Park's Mukki entrance.

The Celebration Van Vilas
	Experience this wild life resort, located at Kanha , which has unparalled accommodation design and facilities and is enhanced by a great team of warm caring local people.

Tiger Woods Kanha Resorts
	Tiger Woods Kanha Resorts embraces the wild untamed beauty of the sanctuary with all the comforts of modern civilization, paying tribute to India’s Royal Heritage.

Kings Crown Resort
	Kings's Crown is a spacious Luxury Resort at Kanha Park. Offers modern facilities and amenities. The campus encloses Open Garden along with Super Deluxe cottages and rooms both Air conditioned and Air cooled.

Mapple Bundela Tiger Retreat Kanha
	" The resort offers 20 rooms which includes 04 luxurious jungle tents along with 04 independent cottages and 12 comfortable and elegant rooms with all modern amenities".