Tiger Safari at Kanha National Park in India

 

Kanha National Park is one of the most popular parks in India and receives over 100,000 domestic and overseas visitors. It is a tiger reserve and a National Park. The park is a conservation unit focused on saving the big cats, the ecosystem, and other life forms.

Although the park is for the conservation of critically endangered tigers its major success has come from the conservation of the Barasingha or the hard-ground swamp deer. From 66 heads to more than 500 heads the success was remarkable. George Schaller and the team played a crucial role in saving the species. The campaign was carried out in the late sixties and seventies. 

Kanha National Park

Situated in Central India near Jabalpur Airport the park is home to over 100 tigers and other wild animals. Some of the major fauna that inhabits the park are:

Tiger

Leopard

Swamp Deer

Sloth Bear

Bison

Axis Deer

Barking Deer

Mouse Dear (Rare)

Jackal

The mouse deer was seen and photographed after a gap of 14 years. It was thought to be extinct but the re-discovery was a big surprise. Small and nocturnal animals are the porcupine, civet cats, and foxes.

There are more than 250 avian species that include Palearctic migrants that arrive in the winter. Some of the popular species are Malabar Pied Hornbill, Shama, Racket Tailed Drongo, Spangled Drongo, Alexandrine Parakeet, and Orange Headed Rock Thrush.

Safari at Kanha 

The park is divided into four zones in the core area that comprises 940 sq. km. They are;

Kisli Zone

Kanha Zone

Sarhi Zone

Mukki Zone

The area of each zone is roughly 25 sq. km and each offers wonderful sightings of wild animals. Tigers are seen in every zone while Kanha and Mukki are the favorites for big cat sightings. The birds are all over the place. The tourism area has also been carved out in the buffer zone that comprises 1000 sq. Km.

Khatia (Kisli Gate)

Khapa (Mukki Gate

Phen (Micro Core)

Sijora (Sarhi Gate)

The excursions are possible on safari permits and there is a limit to park entry of vehicles. You should thus book the tiger safari in advance.  You can book a safari online at MPOnline Portal and also book at the respective gates. But it is better to book online since entry permits get sold out fast.