Forest Department guides accompany visitors
around the park on mapped-out circuits which enable viewers to see a good cross-section
of Kanha's wildlife. The best areas are the meadows around Kanha, where blackbuck,
chital and barasingha can be seen throughout the day.
Bamni Dadar: Known as Sunset Point,
this is one of Hardground Barasingha is found only at Kanha The most beautiful
areas of the park, from where a spectacular sunset can be watched. The dense
luxuriance of Kanha's forests can best be seen from here. Animals that can be
sighted around this point are typical of the mixed forest zone: sambar, barking
deer, gaur and the four-horned antelope.
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 blackbuck.
Less commonly seen species are: Tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian
wild dog, barking deer and Indian bison or gaur. Patient watching should reward
the visitor with a 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 are: Wolf, which lives in the far east of the park;
chinkara, to be found outside the park's northern boundary; Indian pangolin,
the smooth Indian otter and the small Indian civet.
Avian Species: Kanha 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 at Sarvantal, a pool
that is frequented by water birds and the area in front of the museum.
The sal forests do not normally yield a sight of Kanha's avifauna. Early mornings
and late afternoons are best for birdwatching; binoculars are an invaluable
aid to the watcher.
Commonly seen species include: cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis,
common peafowl, crested serpent, rackettailed drongo, hawk eagle and red-wattled
lapwing; various species of flycatcher, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet,
babbler and mynah; Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.
Jeep and Elephant Hire.
MPSTDC jeeps are available on hire for touring the park. Elephants are used
for tiger-tracking and should a tiger be located, the elephant can take visitors
to the site. For jeep hire, see the MPSTDC Manager, at the Baghira Log Huts,
Kisli and Kanha Safari Lodge, Mukki. Bookings for a morning run should be made
the previous day., Please bear in mind that jeeps are not always available during
peak visiting periods.
Best Season:
February to June, although the cool season is much more comfortable and
still very good for wildlife. (The park is closed from July 1 to October 31
because of the monsoon). For those planning a visit, a stay of at least three
nights is recommended in order to have a good chance of seeing the more elusive
animals - although, of course, a brief visit will also be very interesting.
What to Wear
Cottons, but bring woollens as well, as early mornings and evenings can be chilly,
especially in a moving jeep and in the cool season. Try not to wear loud colours.
Food
Kisli has a restaurant and a canteen. The restaurant serves both Indian and
western food. The canteen is cheaper, serving reasonably-priced table d' hote
meals and snacks. The Kanha Safari Lodge at Mukki is served by a multi-cuisine
restaurant.
Kisli or Mukk
There is NO FACILITY FOR ENCASHING TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES at Kisli or Mukki - the
nearest bank dealing in foreign exchange is the State Bank at Mandla.
How to Reach
Khatia (3 km from Kisli) and Mukki are the two main entry points
to the Kanha National Park. From Jabalpur, Kisli is 165 km via Chiraidongri,
and Mukki is 203 km via Motinala and Garhi. For travellers from Bilaspur (182
km), Raipur (213 km) and Balaghat (83 km), Mukki on State Highway No. 26 is
more convenient. From Nagpur, Kisli is 259 km via Nainpur and Chiraidongri,
and Mukki is 289 km via Balaghat.
The Kanha Museum, located at park headquarters in Kanha Village, contains fascinating,
well-conceived exhibits relating to the entire ecosystem and its fauna and flora.
The museum complex consists of six rooms distributed between two buildings.
The museum opens daily at 7 A.M. and remains accessible to visitors during park
excursion hours throughout the day. Below is a summary of the exhibits.
