Kanha’s undulating plateaus, lush meadows, and dense Sal and bamboo forests form one of India’s most scenic wildlife landscapes. The Kanha meadows, dotted with herds of barasingha (swamp deer), are iconic symbols of the park. Streams and ravines cut through the forests, nourishing its vibrant ecosystem. Kanha is famous not only for its healthy tiger population but also for its pioneering conservation success in saving the barasingha from extinction. Birders will delight in the park’s wetlands and mixed woodlands alive with diverse avifauna.

Kanha National Park is the inspiration behind Kipling’s Jungle Book and is home to a thriving population of tigers and the rare hard-ground Barasingha (swamp deer), saved from extinction here. Other mammals include leopards, wild dogs (dholes), sloth bears, Indian bison (gaur), and chausingha. Smaller species like mongoose, porcupine, and civets are frequently encountered. Kanha hosts over 300 bird species, including the Indian roller, paradise flycatcher, crested serpent eagle, green bee-eater, and storks. Its meadows and sal forests also attract a wide diversity of butterflies and reptiles.

Safari Timings:

• Morning: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Evening: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
   

Key Info:

• Open: October 15 to June 30.
• Best Time: March to May for tiger sightings.
• Known for Barasingha (swamp deer) and a model for Project Tiger.

Kanha National Park Fact

• Location of Kanha: Mandla & Balaghat Districts, Madhya Pradesh
• Nearest Access to Kanha: Jabalpur (160 km), Nagpur (266 km)
• Coverage Area of Kanha: 940-sq-kms (core area)
• Climate of Kanha: Winter: 2°C – 18°C, Summer: 30°C – 42°C
• Major Wildlife Attraction in Kanha: Tiger, Barasingha, Leopard, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Indian Gaur, Hyena
• Best Time to Visit Kanha: November to June