Everyone we know wants to see a tiger not in a circus, not in a zoo, not even for that matter a tiger corralled in the vast acres of a safari park, although that's better than not seeing a tiger at all! The best and the most thrilling way to see a tiger is to come across it when it is free to roam the wilderness of its natural habitat: the fields and forests of India. We've seen wild tigers in many places in our land but nowhere we have seen them as often and as regularly as in the Kanha National Park.

The Kanha National Park is Kipling's country and the nearby forests were the setting for the "Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling. It's an outstanding national park and wildlife reserve of Central India, noted for its last remaining population of the hard-ground race of the Swamp Deer (approximately 380). Spotting wild animals is always a matter of luck, but Kanha is so rich in wildlife that the odds are titled in your favour. Most people are keener to meet Kanha's most famous citizen: the Tiger. There are a healthy number of Tigers which may be seen during the day, and is one of the best place left to see them.

There are 175 varieties of birds in the Kanha National Park. So if you happen to be bird watcher, look forward to a full spotting itinerary. The terrain inside the park is varied, nonetheless enjoyable. Bamboo forests flow into Sal forests and meadows. There are herds of spotted deers to be seen with smaller herds of beautiful antelopes, the black buck. With a little luck, you could also spot the timorous barking deer. It's snapping warns other denizens of the forest that a predator is around. There is also a very strong possibility that you will see the rare Barasingha, the Swamp Deer. Once there were only 66 of these in Kanha, but careful conservation and management raised their population to over 400.

It was at Kanha that the eminent zoologist George Schaller undertook the first ever-scientific study of the tiger. Another landmark at Kanha is the preservation of the 'hard ground' Barasingha. This was achieved by extending the grasslands, relocating villages and by increasing habitat.

Kanha has two main valleys, Halon in the east and Banjar in the west, and the grassy 'maidans' (often old village sites), dotted with clumps of forest harbour and large numbers of herbivores. The hills offer support sizeable plateaus (locally called 'Dadars') and the characterized by extensive grasslands and scant trees. These 'Dadars' are much favoured by Gaur and Four-horned Antelope.

The forests are deciduous, the main tree being the Sal, and there are large stands of bamboo. Higher up the slopes the forests tend to become dense and mixed with Haldu and Bija trees. Birds in the park includes the Painted Partridge, Shaheen Falcon and Golden Oriole.

Months from November-June are favorable for visiting the park still the best period is February-April.

Drive from Jabalpur (6 hours), which is also the nearest airport or from Nagpur (7 hours drive). There are regular air services to Raipur and Nagpur (270 kms) from other airports in India. From these airports one has to drive to the park.

The most convenient railheads for Kanha are Jabalpur and Nagpur. These two are well connected by fast and superfast trains and also to the other destinations in India.

To access the Kanha National Park there are two ways, via Khatia or via Kisli. From Jabalpur there are daily bus services to these places. From Jabalpur, Bilaspur and Raipur one can hire taxis to the park. No vehicles are allowed inside the park after dark so get there before dusk.