Notified as a protected area in 1955, the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is one of the finest and best-administered wildlife parks in Asia. Spread out over an area of 940 square km, situated in a horse-shoe shaped valley, the park is home to over 22 different species of mammals and some 200 bird species. Sal and bamboo forests cover large areas, interspersed with grasslands and meandering streams. Over the years the animals at Kanha have become bolder, making the park excellent for wildlife viewing and photography. This jungle was also a source of inspiration to Rudyard Kipling when he was writing The Jungle Book.
Kanha’s forest is mostly composed of sal and bamboo, along with sprawling, grassy meadows . It was once a popular hunting spot of maharajahs and viceroys. Now, it's the last refuge of the rare barasingha or twelve-horned antelope. Safaris into the jungle take place in the mornings and the early evenings. You can also explore some nature trails on foot. Summers here are hot and dry, but as with all wildlife parks, it tends to be the best time to spot tigers and other wildlife.