Kanha Tiger Reserve

Area: (core) 940 km2

Terrain:: al and bamboo forests, plateaus, meadows and meandering streams

State: Madhya Pradesh

Location: Vindhyan Mountain ranges of central India

Temperature range: 42°C to 2°C

Annual Rainfall: 1200mm

Best time to visit: February-June (Closed 1 July-15 October)

Kanha Tiger Reserve is home to over 1000 species of flowering plants.The lowland forest is a mixture of sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed-forest trees, interspersed with meadows. The highland forests are tropical moist, dry deciduous type and of a completely different nature from bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) on slopes. A notable Indian ghost tree (Davidia involucrata) can also be seen in the dense forest.

AKanha Tiger Reserve abounds in meadows or maidans which are basically open grasslands that have sprung up in fields of abandoned villages, evacuated to make way for the animals. Kanha meadow is one such example. Many species of grass are recorded at Kanha, some of which are important for the survival of barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi) and the gaur (Bos gaurus). Densely forested zones with good crown cover have abundant species of climbers, shrubs, and herbs flourishing in the understory.

Kanha Tiger Reserve has species of tigers, leopards, wild dogs, wild cats, foxes and jackals. Among the deer species, swamp deer (Cervus duavcelli branderi) or hard-ground barasingha is the pride of the place, as it is the only subspecies of swamp deer in India, except the great swamp deer of Sundarbans. The animal is adapted to hard ground unlike swamp deer of the north, which live in marshy swamps. The reserve has been instrumental in rescuing the swamp deer from extinction. Indian gaur (Bos guarus), belonging to the ox genus, are found in Kanha, but seen mostly as winter ends. In summer, gaur inhabit meadows and waterholes in the park.

Other commonly seen animals in the park include the spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, and the four-horned antelope. The latter can be seen at Bamni Dadar climb. Recently, mouse deer have also been discovered in the tiger reserve.

Blackbuck have inexplicably become very rare.[9] They vanished completely, but have been reintroduced recently inside a fenced area in the park. Nilgai can still be seen near the Sarahi Gate, while the Indian wolf once commonly seen at Mocha is a rare sight now. Striped hyena and sloth bear are seen occasionally. Langurs and wild boars are common, but the pugnacious rhesus macaque is seen less often. Nocturnal animals like fox, hyena, jungle cat, civets, porcupine, ratel or honey badger, and hares can be seen outside the park confines.

Kanha brings around 300 species of birds and the most commonly seen birds are the black ibis, bee-eaters, cattle egret, blossom-headed parakeets, pond heron, drongos, common teal, crested serpent eagle, grey hornbill, Indian roller, lesser adjutant, little grebes, lesser whistling teal, minivets, pied hornbill, woodpecker, pigeon, paradise flycatchers, mynas, Indian peafowl, red junglefowl, red-wattled lapwing, steppe eagle, Tickell's blue flycatcher, white-eyed buzzard, white-breasted kingfisher, white-browed fantail, wood shrikes, and warblers, among many more

Jungle Safari

kanha National Park is heaven adventure lovers and wildlife photographers. Wildlife viewing in 4 WD Open gypsy is the best way to explore the flora & fauna of kanha National Park’s untamed nature and unspoiled landscapes. kanha National Park consists of mixed vegetations ranging from tall grasslands to thick Sal forest and so is the perfect habitat of variety of animals and birds. Jeep safaris keep one enthralled for the adventure and provide the flexibility to explore especially those places, which are difficult to travel via any other mode of transportation.

The best time to visit is during the dry season, from October to May. At kanha Jeep Safaris can be done twice a day. The Morning Shift which starts early at the time of Sunrise up to 04 hrs & the afternoon one starts in between 02 PM to 03 PM up to sunset. Only 6 passengers are allowed in a jeep naturalist and driver. Limited Jeeps are permitted to enter inside the National Park in each shift. Therefore it is advisable to book safari rides in well advance to avoid any chance of unavailability.

By Road :Kanha National Park is well connected from the nearby town & cities like Jabalpur, Nagpur. Distance & approx driving time of kanha National Park from some of the nearby cities are mentioned below:

Jabalpur : 200 Kms / 04 Hrs Drive

Nagpur : 290 Kms / 06 Hrs Drive

By Train : The nearest railway stations for kanha National Park are Jabalpur & Ghondia. Jabalpur is 200 Kms (4 hours drive) & Gondia is 100 Kms (02 Hrs drive) from kanha.

By Air :The nearest Airport for kanha National Park is Jabalpur. Jabalpur 200 Kms / 04 Hrs Drive from kanha. One can get regular flights for Jabalpur & Khajuraho from all major airports of India.