Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Kanha National Park, in Madhya Pradesh, stretching over 2000 sq km, has horse-shoe shaped valley & grasslands surrounded by the Satpura Mountains.The vegetation, chiefly made of Sal and bamboo forests, grasslands and streams, this park is the sole habitat of the rare hard ground barasingha.

The forests of the Banjar valley and Halon valley of the erstwhile princely provinces of Central India, respectively forming Kanha's western and eastern halves, had even, at the turn of the century, been famous for their deer and tiger population. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being.

Kanha boasts of about 30 species of mammals. Some of the inhabitants of this park are the magnificient Tigers, gaur, the largest of the world's cattle .Other frequent visitors include the Nilgai Antelope, The Sloth Bear, The Dhole, Or Indian Wild Dog. Some 300 species of birds inhabit the park that includes the Cattle Egret, Black Ibis, Hawk Eagle. It is one of the well maintained National Parks in Asia, and a major attraction for avid wildlife buffs all over the world.

The Barasingha is undoubtedly, the jewel of Kanha, and drastic steps have been taken to rescue it from complete extinction. The enlargement of the grasslands, through village reallocation, has been responsible for this impressive achievement. Bamni Dadar, known as Sunset Point, is the most beautiful part of the park, and the view of the sunset from this spot is absolutely mesmerising.

But for all the astonishing diversity in its wildlife population, Kanha is best known as the habitat of the Tiger.Sighting and photographing this magnificent animal from Elephant back, is an unforgettable experience. Best time to visit -December-January,park closes during monsoon.

Route from Delhi-Agra-Biora-Jabalpur-Mandla-Kanha Kisli. Enjoy the Kipling country.