The Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh was conceived in 1955 and later in 1974, it got the status of a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger Scheme. Spread over an area of more than 940 sq km; the Kanha National Park owes thick vegetation made of sal and bamboo forests, grasslands and streams. The national park is the sole habitat of the rare species of barasingha.

The Banjar valley and Halon valley forests form Kanha's western and eastern halves, and is quite famous for its deer and tiger population. It has the honour of being one of the most well-maintained National Parks in Asia. Bamni Dadar, the popular Sunset Point is the most beautiful section of the park to view the dusk.

Wildlife in Kanha National Park
As such, the Kanha National Park is ideal for spotting the wildlife and the animals within the park but still the correct time should be taken care of while your visit at the Kanha National Park. You can spot as many as 175 bird species in Kanha. Kanha national park boasts of about 22 mammals' species. The gaur, the largest of the world's cattle; the sambhar, the largest Indian deer; and the chausingha, the only four-horned antelope in the world are the other animals found in this park. The tourists have to be patient while spotting the king of the jungle - The Tiger. Besides the tigers, you can also observe a Porcupine, Gray Langurs, Mongoose, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Deer - the Barasingha, Chital or Spotted Deer, Chousingha, Nilgai, Gaur or Indian Bison and wild Pig. The flora in the park comprises of the Bamboo forests and Sal forests. The herds of spotted deers can be seen with small herds of Antelope, Black Buck, Barking Deer, Barasingha and the Swamp Deer.

Special Attractions in Kanha National Park
Elephant Safari
The tourists can observe the animals from the elephant back which enables them to have a close view of the wildlife in India.

Kanha Museum
There is a Kanha Museum at Kanha National Park displaying the tribal culture and traditions in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Blackbuck
The Kanha National Park is the only existing habitat of barasingha in India. The jewel of Kanha special programmes are into action to safeguard this species against complete extinction. Barasinghas are surviving here on account of the tall grass meadows in this park. Kanha is also known as the habitat of the tiger. The spotting of tigers and catching them in camera is quite ideal in this park. The first ever scientific study done on tigers by the great zoologist George Schaller was undertaken in this park. One can easily explore these animals on an elephant back or in a jeep under the guidance of a forest guide.

When to Visit Kanha ?
The ideal time to visit Kanha National Park is in the months of April - June and November - January. The park is closed from July - Mid-November i.e. the monsoon season.

How to Reach Kanha National Park
by Air : Nagpur is the nearest Airport to visit Kanha National Park and is also connected with Mumbai by various domestic airline services. From Nagpur one can hire the taxi / bus up to the Kanha National Park available in plenty and in large frequency.

by Rail : Jabalpur is the nearest railhead to visit the Kanha National Park. From Jabalpur the tourists can hire a bus / taxi up to the national park.

by Road : Kanha National Park is well connected to Jabalpur 175-kms, Khajuraho 445-kms, Nagpur 266-kms, Mukki 25-kms and Raipur 219-kms by road. There are regular and frequent bus services available from Jabalpur to Kanha.

Local Transport : The Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) operates a Jeep Service for the tourists to visit in and around the park. The advance booking has to be made regarding the local sightseeing tour.

Timings of the Park
1. 15 Nov to 15 Feb -  Sunrise to 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm to Sunset
2. 16 Feb to 30 April - Sunrise to 1200 pm and 4.00 pm to Sunset
3. 1 May to 30 June -  Sunrise to 11.00 am and 5.00 pm to Sunset