Kanha National Park in the Mandla District spreads over 1,945 sq.km of dense sal forests, interspersed with extensive meadows and trees and clumps of wild bamboo. This area known as Kipling Country' is where all the jungle books of Rudyard Kipling were conceived. Area : 1,945 sq.kms. Altitude : 600-900 metres. Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 40.6, Min 23.9; Winter- Max 23.9, Min 1.1. Rainfall : 152 cms. Best Season : April to June and November to January. (The park is closed from July to Mid November during monsoon) TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

Air Nagpur (266 kms) is the nearest Airport to visit Kanha National Park connected by Indian Airlines flights with Bombay.

Rail: Jabalpur (169 km) is the convenient rail head to visit Kanha.

Road: Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur 175 km, Khajuraho 445 km, Nagpur 266 km, Mukki 25 km, Raipur 219 km. Within the park: Koshi - Kanha (9 kms), Kishi - Katia (4 kms), Kishi - Mukki (32 kms). S.T.

Bus service : Route Timings Jabalpur-Kanha 0700,1100 hrs Kanha-Jabalpur 0700,1100 hrs

Local Transport: The Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) operates a Jeep Service for vistors to go around in the park. Booking can be made through the Manager, MPSTDC, Log huts, Kisli. Wild Chalet Resorts at village Mocha, Kanha can also arrange for local sightseeing.

WHAT TO SEE Wild life in the park: The main attractions are Tiger, Bison, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Barasingha, Barking Deer, Black Deer, Black Buck, Chousihgha, Nilgai, Mouse Deer, Sloth Bear, Jackal Fox, Porcupine, Hyaena, Jungle Cat, Python, Pea fowl, Hare, Monkey, Mongoose, Tiger, Leapord etc. can also be seen here. Birds species in the park: Storks, Teals, Pintails, Pond Herons, Egrets, Peacock, Pea Fowl, Jungle Fowl, Spur Fowl, Patridges, Quails, Ring Doves, Spotted Parakeets, Green Pigeons, Rock Pigeons, Cuckoos, Papihas, Rollers, Bee Eater, Hoopes, Drongos, Warblers, King Fishers, Wood Peckers, Finches, Orioles, Owls, Fly Catchers.

Museum (closed on Wednesdays)
There is a museum at kanha depicting attributes and activities of the park and tribal culture.

TIMINGS FOR PARK EXCURSIONS
15 Nov to 15 Feb. Sunrise to 1200 and 1500 to Sunset
16 Feb to 30 Apr. Sunrise to 1200 and 1600 to Sunset
1 may to 30 June Sunrise to 1100 and 1700 to Sunset

Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES

1) The Manager, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Log Hut, Kisli, Bhopal.
2) The Field Director, Project Tiger, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Mandla

Suggested Itinerary :

Day 01 : Depart by train from Delhi to Jabalpur (travel in air conditioned first/ second class sleeper). Spend overnight on the train. Day 02 - 06 : Early morning arrive Jabalpur railway station. Transfer to Kanha (170 km - 05hrs driving time approx.) at your resort for five nights. Enjoy your morning and afternoon jeep-safaris and elephant-rides in the Kanha National Park. Spend overnight at the Resort. Day 07 : Morning depart by surface to Jabalpur railway station to board your train at 1540 hrs (travel in first/ second class air conditioned sleeper) for Delhi. Overnight on board the train.

Day 08 : Arrive Delhi at 0720hrs. Transfer to a hotel for day use. Later in the evening transfer to the International airport to connect your flight for your onward destination.