Bandhavgarh National Park

A wildlife retreat, where history and nature meet, Bhandavgarh National Park is not far from Kanha. Set amidst the Vindhyan ranges, the park has a series of ridges running through it. Initially just 105.40 sq km in area, Bandhavgarh with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high density tiger population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437 sq km. About half the park is covered with fine stands of sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main viewing area is still in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.

An ancient fort up on a precipice, 800 metres high, dominates the Park. Bandhavgarh's history goes back 2000 years in time and the earliest signs of habitation can be seen in the caves excavated from the cliffs to the north of the fort. Brahmi inscriptions here, date back to the 1st centuary BC. A hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa in more recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a Park in 1968. This is where the famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered.

Wandering through the Park on elephant back, the chances of seeing a tiger are quite good. Also to be seen here are nilgai, chausingha, chital, chinkara, wild boar and sometimes a fox or jackal. Other habitants of the Park include the muntjac, jungle cat, ratel, hyena, procupine, the rhesus macaque and the black-faced langur. About 150 species of bird are also found here and include the migratory birds that arrive in winter like the steppe eagle and various water-birds.

It is possible to climb up to the Bandhavgarh fort for a breathtaking bird's eye view of the Park and there is also small population of black buck that lives her, protected from the predators below

General Information :

• Best time to Visit - November - June (Parl closes in July for the monsoons) » Accommodation - Forest Rest Houses , Bandhavgarh Jungle Camp.
• Nearest town - Umaria (30 Km) (65Km)
• How to get there ? Rail - Umaria (30 Km) or Satna (112 Km), Air - Khajuraho (210 Km) or Jabalpur(70 Km)

Kanha National Park

Location - Kanha National Park is located in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh
Nearest Town - Nearest town is Mandla which is at a distance of 65 kms from the park

About Kanha National Park
Occupying a core area of around 940 sq kms (the total area is 1945 sq kms), Kanha National Park is one of the most significant parks in te country. The Kanha valley was declared a sanctuary in the 1933, however, it was only in 1955, that the area was accorded the status of a National Park. Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, the park is one of the earliest to initiate ‘Project Tiger’ to control the increasingly depleting population of tigers in India. The project was a huge success and contributed extensively in doubling the nuber of tigers in the country in last two to three decades.

About the park itself, the more said, the lesser it seems. The beauty of the park and the variety of its inhabitants have forced many, including the very famous Rudyard Kipling to pen something special. Jungle Book, hugely popular with children, is one book written by the renowned author that draws its inspiration from the surroundings of Kanha National Park.

The topography of the land is also interesting with a valley of the region carrying a striking resemblance to a horse shoe in its shape. A rippling river (Surpan River) finds its way through the maidans and grasslands of the park.

Best Time To Visit
The best time visit the park is between the months of April to June and November to January. From July to Mid-November, the park remains closed due to monsoons. The annual rainfall received by the park is around 1600 mm.

Wildlife of Kanha National Park
The main attraction of Kanha National Park is without doubt, the tiger. Tourists can find (though with much effort and patience) the ‘king of this park’ roaming around freely in the vast expanse looking extremely gorgeous and arousing deep interest and awe in the mind and hearts of its onlookers.

Fauna
Apart from the tigers, there are other animals in the park that will catch the attention of the tourists including porcupine, gray langurs, mongoose, hyena, jungle cat, leopards, barasingha, chital, chousingha, nilgai, Indian bison and wild Pig. Due to incessant poaching, there was a time when the population of Barasingha fell to a paltry figure of 66 from an original 3000. However, a conservation drive in association with the localites ensured that the number of Barasingha was restored to atleast a respectable figure of 1000.

Reptiles in the park
The reptile population in the park comprises monitar lizards, pythons and a huge variety of snakes.

Avi Fauna
For the lovers of birds, Kanha has around 300 varieties. Most of the tourists come to this park with an intention and desire to spot a tiger, though it is not always possible. The tourists might not succeed in their attempt, as the tiger may refuse to grant a view to these tourists. In such cases, the tourists atleast have the satisfaction of watching some beautiful birds. They are always present to delight the tourists on their visit to the Kanha National Park. The bird population of the park include pied or marsh harriers, red jungle fowls, painted spur fowls, lesser whistling teals, common teals, pintails, cotton teals, shovelers, peafowls, Indian rollers, racket tailed drongos, red wattled lapwings, brown fish owls, nightjars, laggers, shaheen falcons, kestrels, barn owls, white eyed buzzards, black winged kites, shikras, crested serpent eagles, crested honey buzzards, yellow wattled lapwings, green bee-eaters, doves, black Vultures, scavenger vultures, long billed vultures, white backed vultures and gray hornbills.

These are just a few names and there are many more varieties that a tourist will come across on his trip to the Kanha National Park

Trips in Kanha

• Elephant Safari - Tourists can best enjoy the beauty of the Kanha National Park sitting at the back of an elephant. The ride itself is a tremendous experience and combined with glimpses of exotic animals, it becomes completely delightful.
• Kanha Museum - Tourists visiting Kanha National Park are pleasantly surprised to find a museum within the boundaries of the park. The museum presents the attributes and activities of the park and also showcases the tribal culture of the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Reaching There

• By Air - The nearest airport is in Nagpur at a distance of 266 kms which in turn is connected by various domestic airlines.
• By Rail - The nearest rail head is at Jabalpur which is at a distance of 169 kms from Kanha.
• By Road - Roadways connect Kanha National Park with Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Nagpur, Mukki and Raipur. Regular buses to and from Jabalpur to Kanha make it easier for any tourist to visit the park