The park spread over 1945 sq. Km. of dense sal forests, interspersed with extensive meadows with trees and clumps of wild bamboo. This area in the central Indian highlands is "Kipling country". Kanha Tiger Reserve comparieses parts of the Mandla, Balaghat, Kwardha and dinodor distrcts fothe Indian state fo Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the Malkal hills of the Satpura hill range Kanha is internationally renowned for its rich floral and faunal attributes.

The Reserve is an excellent interspersion of the Dadars garassy expanses, dense forest and riverine forest. It is very rich in floral largely due to the combination of land forms and soil types apart from the most character of the regaion. The rich habitat diversity of the Reserve suuports abundant animal communities and the lesser life forms, The Reserve is the sanctum sanctorum of typical Central Indian Fauna.

Kanha has distinguished itself in saving the endangered Centeral Indian Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi) from extinction and harboring the only population of this deer species in the World. Phen Wildlife sanchary (Phen WLS) in the North East of Kanha has been made the mini satellite core of the Reserve.

Kanha was recently declared the Best Maintained Tourist Friendly National Park

Bamni Dadar
Known as Sunset Point, this is one of the most beautiful areas of the park, from where a spectacular sunset can be watched. The dense luxuriance of Kanha's forests can be seen from here. Animals that can be sighted around this point are typical of the mixed forest zone sambar, barking deer, gaur and four-horned antelope.

Wildlife (Mammalian Species)
Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are the Striped Palm Squirrel, Common Langur, Jackal, Wild Pig, Chital or Spotted Deer, Barasingha or Swamp Deer, Sambar and Black Buck.

Less commonly seen species are
Tiger, Indian Hare, Dhole or Indian Wild Dog, Barking Deer, Indian Bison or Gaur. Patient watching should reward the visitor with s sight of; Indian Fox, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four-horned Antelope, Nilgai , Ratel and Porcupine.

Very rarely seen species are
Wolf which lives in the far east of the park, Chinkara found outside the Park's northern boundary, Indian Pangolin, the smooth Indian Otter and the small Indian Civet.

Avian Species
Kanha also has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near the park's many rivulets and a Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and the area in from of the museum. The Sal forests do not normally yield a sight of Kanha's avifauna. Early morning and late afternoon are best for bird-watching; binoculars are an invaluable aid to the watcher.

Commonly seen species are
Cattle Egret, Pong Heron, Black Ibis, Common Peafowl, Crested Serpent, Racket-Tailed Drongo, Hawk Eagle, Woodpecker, Pigeon, Dove, Parakeet, Babbler and Mynah, Indian Roller, White-Breasted Kingfisher and Gray Hornbill.

General Tourist guide

• Best Time
  The park is open from November to June. Each of the seasons has its unique attractions. The weather can be chilly in December-January; spring lasts from February to the end of March, and summer weather in April-June becomes hot.
• The Cool Season ( November-February)
  During the cool months, the winter air in the park is invigorating. Maximum temperatures by day rarely exceed 30°C. Due to the rains, the vegetation in November is green and fresh, but severe frost in late December-January may turn the meadows brown. Baby Chital and Langur monkeys in February will enchant the wildlife watcher.
• The Warm Season ( March-June)
  Summer in Kanha is not very harsh. Though the daytime temperature may sometimes reach 40°C. in the shade, hot winds rarely occur. Toward the end of the warm season, Chital or Spotted Deer (Axis Axis) enter their rutting period, and the meadows are full of dominant stags.

Accommodation in Kanha National Parks

• Krishna Jungle Lodge
• Tuli Resort
• Wild Chalet
• Mogli Resort
• Royal Tiger Resort
• Kanha Jungle Lodge