Kanha National Park is one of the most well-known and biggest national parks that is present in India. This park is in Madhya Pradesh in central India and is spread across the two districts of Balaghat and Mandla, covering a large total area of 3500 square kilometers in size. Kanha is well-known for its important work in protecting tigers, along with the beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
The park was set up in 1955, and in 1973, it became part of India's Project Tiger program. This program works to save tigers in India, and Kanha is one of the top places where it is doing very well. And, in 1973, it became a Tiger Reserve.
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It is also home to many other plants and animals apart from tigers. This park is a good place for people who enjoy seeing animals and plants, and it has about 1000 kinds of flowering plants growing inside it. Kanha is also home to animals like sambhars (a type of deer), gaurs (Indian bison), leopards, wild dogs, and many kinds of birds. The park has different types of land, including dense forests, open meadows, and rivers. These areas provide a good place for many species of wildlife and plants.
Kanha Park is divided into different areas. The core area is the most protected part of the park, and is around 940 square kilometers in size. This is where the main conservation efforts happen, and tourists can go on safaris to see the natural beauty of the park. The buffer area is around 1,067 square kilometers, and it helps to protect the surrounding environment.
Kanha National Park has a long history that goes back many years. This area was ruled by the Gond Dynasty before the 19th century, and the forest was not known, while the Baiga and Gond tribes lived in the region. These tribes understood nature and wild animals very well, and they did farming in a way that did not harm the area.
During the 19th century, people understood the value of forests and created rules to protect both the animals and the trees found in these areas. Cutting down important trees like Sal, Teak, Saja, Shisham, and Bija was no longer allowed. These steps helped save the forest for future generations.
In 1955, this place became a national park, which was an important step to help protect the area’s plant life and animals. The park became part of India’s plan to protect wildlife and their natural homes. In 1973, Kanha became a Tiger Reserve. This was an important move to protect the Bengal Tiger, which is one of the most endangered animals in the world.
This park became famous in the world because British writer Rudyard Kipling used Kanha’s nature and animals as ideas for The Jungle Book. This connection helped bring more attention to the park, making it popular with people who love nature and wildlife.
Today, Kanha Park plays a very important role in protecting wildlife. It is home to many animals, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, sloth bears, leopards, and the rare barasingha deer. This park is important for saving wildlife and also works to protect many kinds of plants and wild animals. People from all over the world make Kanha National Park bookings to enjoy natural beauty, see the animals, and learn about how important it is to protect nature.
This national park can be considered one of India’s most amazing natural destinations. Many people come here to see animals and enjoy a jungle safari. But there are also many amazing tourist attractions near Kanha Park. These places are good for people who like nature, history, culture, or peaceful temples. Below is a list of popular tourist places around Kanha National Park:
This place is inside Kanha. It is very famous for watching the sunset. Many people visit here to see the sun going down and take pictures. The place is very quiet and peaceful. People can also walk in nature and watch birds. After a safari,
DetailsThe Kanha Museum is also inside the park. This museum gives a lot of information about the animals, birds, and plants in the park. You can also learn how the park has been protected for many years. People who want to learn more about the jungle will
DetailsThis palace was made by Maharaja Dharamraj Singh, who was the king in the 1930s. Now, the palace is a luxury hotel. People staying here can enjoy dance and music shows. It is a nice place to enjoy royal service and see traditional
DetailsMandla is a small town close to Kanha. It is a nice spot to understand the history and culture of the local people living there. You can visit Mandla Fort, which offers good views of the town and the Sahastradhara River. The town also has many old temples.
DetailsPench National Park is another popular wildlife park that has a distance from Kanha of around 200 kilometers. If you enjoy watching animals, you will also like Pench. This park has leopards, tigers, reptiles, deer, and birds. The park is well known because the forest there helped to
DetailsPachmarhi is a hill station about 300 kilometers from Kanha. It is a cool and green place. There are waterfalls, caves, and forests here. People who love nature and want to relax in a quiet place visit
DetailsAmarkantak is a holy place for Hindus. The Narmada River starts here. Many people come to visit temples and see the DudhDhara waterfalls. The water looks white like milk. It is a peaceful and
DetailsKhajuraho is about 230 kilometers from Kanha. It is famous for its old temples made by Hindus and Jains. These temples have very detailed carvings. Khajuraho is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site where a lot of tourists come to see the art
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Three main types of forests are present in this park that are moist Peninsular Sal forest, moist mixed deciduous forest, and dry deciduous mixed forest. These forests grow well in the park because of the good climate and the different types of land, such as valleys, plateaus, and slopes. This variety of land helps many different types of plants grow in different parts of the park.
Some of the important trees in this park are Saja, Tendu, Sal, Palas, Lendia, Aonla, Bija, Mahua, and Dhawa. Bamboo also grows in many parts of the park, especially on the slopes. You will also see climbers and grasses growing in many areas. These plants are important for the animals and birds that live in the park.
There are many types of water plants that grow in the lakes and ponds inside the park, called “Tals.” These water plants are very important for animals and birds that live in the wetland areas of the park, especially the ones that visit the park during the winter.
In the higher areas of the park, there is a special tree called the Indian Ghost Tree, or Kullu. This tree grows in tropical dry deciduous forests.
To protect all the plants in the park, the Madhya Pradesh government has started special projects. There are over 100 eco-development groups in the buffer zone and 25 in the main area of the park. These groups, along with nearby villages, help protect and take care of the plants in the park.
The healthy plants in Kanha are one of the reasons why so many animals and birds live in the park. The rich plant life makes the park a peaceful and beautiful place to visit.
Kanha Park has the hard ground Barasingha, which is one of its most special animals. This is a rare kind of deer, and it can only be found in this park. People call it the “Jewel of Kanha” because it is very important to the park. Kanha is also famous for its tigers, which visitors often see on jungle safaris.
Many other mammals are also present here which includes leopards (also called panthers), wild dogs, jackals, sloth bears, gaurs (Indian bison), sambar deer, chital (spotted deer), barking deer, blackbucks, and wild pigs. Langurs (types of monkeys) and chousingha (four-horned antelopes) can also be found here. These animals live in different parts of the park, and you can often find them near water or in open grassland areas.
Kanha also has many types of reptiles, such as pythons, Indian cobras, Russell’s viper, kraits, Indian monitor lizards, fan-throated lizards, garden lizards, and common skinks. Though these reptiles can be hard to spot, they are an important part of the park's ecosystem.
The water bodies in the park are home to different kinds of fish. Some of them are the Brown Snakehead, Mud Perch, Green Snakehead, Giant Danio, and Common Rasbora.
Kanha National Park is also home to more than 300 species of birds. You might see birds such as peafowls, kingfishers, parakeets, egrets, hornbills, woodpeckers, and mynas. These birds live in various parts of the park, including trees, near water, and in open spaces.
The best time to visit Kanha National Park depends on what kind of experience you want.
Winter (October to February) is the most popular time to visit. The weather is cool and pleasant, with temperatures between 5°C and 20°C. This time is great for safaris because the weather is comfortable. It’s also a good time for watching wildlife, including many migratory birds that visit the park.
Summer (March to May) is very hot, with temperatures going up to 40°C. But if you don’t mind the heat, it’s a good time to see animals near waterholes. Early morning and evening safaris are the best as it’s cooler at these times. Don’t forget to carry water and sunscreen.
The rainy season that usually starts in June till September brings heavy rains. While the park looks very green and beautiful, some areas may be closed due to the rain. It’s a good time if you love nature and want to see the park in a peaceful setting.
Overall, October to March is the best time to visit here. The weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy wildlife and bird watching.
There are different types of safaris available for people who make Kanha National Park bookings. The safaris are held in both the areas of core zones and the buffer zones, which are the outer areas.
A Gypsy Safari is a more private way to visit the park. You travel in a small vehicle called a gypsy. The gypsy can take you deeper into the park, which helps you see the animals up close. This safari is available in both the main areas (Kanha, Sarhi, Mukki, Kisli) and the outer areas (Khatia, Sijhora, Phen, Khapa). Because the vehicle is small, it is quieter and gives you a better chance to spot animals.
If you are visiting with family or a group of friends, you can go on a Canter Safari. A canter is a bigger vehicle that can carry more people. It is also available in both the main and outer areas of the park. It is a good option for larger groups who want to enjoy the park together.
| Core Zone Closure: | The Gypsy Safari in the main areas is closed from July 1st to September 30th each year. This is done to give the wildlife a rest during the rainy season and for park maintenance. |
| Buffer Zone Safaris: | You can go on safaris in the outer areas all year, even when the main areas are closed. |
| Night Safaris: | Night safaris are available in the outer areas, but they are closed on Wednesdays. |
It is a good idea to make your Kanha National Park bookings for safari in advance. This will help you get the safari you want and the time that works best for you.