Dunbar Brander, a doyen amongst the Indian hunter naturalists of the last century wrote; “The tract contained as much game as any tract I ever saw in the best part of Africa in 1908. I have seen 1500 heads consisting of 11 species in an evening stroll”. The numbers have unfortunately fallen, but the magic of Kanha defies all laws and statistics.
The Duke of Edinburgh could not resist this landscape either. He visited Kanha in the year 1983 and sighted his first ever Tiger in the Mukki Zone, where we now have the Duke Road.
Kanha also witnessed India’s first successful conservation story of The Hard Ground Swamp Deer (Barasingha) from just 55 in 1965 to over 800 now. Not only this, but Kanha also made a major contribution towards increasing the Gaur population in Bandhavgarh. It donated about 50 Gaur to Bandhavgarh National Park where they left their habitat almost a decade back. Today, the Gaur population in Bandhavgarh is thriving because of Kanha. Subsequently, Tigers have been sent to Panna and lately to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Orissa, to repopulate the Tiger population in the reserve.
It sets a great example in terms of excellent tourism management and conservation efforts when compared to the rest of the parks in India.
Bandhavgarh is arguably one of the best parks to see the biggest cat, in India. This is not a recent development, for almost 25 years now Bandhavgarh has topped charts time and again, for the best and most Tiger sightings. It was this National Park that laid the foundation for Wildlife Tourism in India. For the first few years, it was solely responsible for the exceptional growth of the wildlife tourism industry. Fun fact, Bandhavgarh recently completed 50 years of being a national park, and 25 years of being a Tiger Reserve!
Upon arrival at the New Delhi Airport, you will be met by our representative who will ensure a smooth transfer to the Hotel and further, help you check-in at the Hotel. All the travel related documents will be handed over and explained to you. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Post an early breakfast, transfer to the Domestic Airport to board a flight from New Delhi to Raipur. On arrival at the Raipur Airport, you will be met by our representative, who will drive you to Kanha National Park.
The distance is approximately 210 km, which will take you about 4 hours on the road. The last hour’s drive through Kanha’s forest will make you roll down your windows to get a feel of Kanha. You are now in the Kipling country. Check-in at your Resort and take the rest of the day at leisure.
With an early wake-up call, and a hot beverage, drive out into the forest for the morning game drive. The sun rises over the hills and filters through the dense copses of Sal, creating a serene ambiance. The park resounds with the chirps of colorful birds, and paints a picturesque view, as Deer graze, Monkeys chatter and small animals scurry through the undergrowth.
Kanha is one of the finest wildlife protected areas not only in India but also in the world. The spellbinding grandeur of this park is to be seen to be believed. Go silently on a safari to listen to Kanha, it talks a lot. Kanha’s Sal and Bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq. km in dramatic natural splendor which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). This is the original Kipling country of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book. Packed breakfast which comes from the Lodge is served at a designated spot and spread on the bonnet of the Safari vehicle. Enjoy your breakfast in the wilderness of the jungle.
Come back to the Lodge for a quick lunch and freshen up. Post lunch, head out for the evening safari as the jungle has a lot more in store for you.
Return to the Lodge at sunset for dinner and take the day at leisure.
Wake up early, for another adventure awaits you at Kanha. The forests of the Banjar and Hallon valley, form Kanha’s western and eastern halves. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since then, a string of stringent conservation programs have been launched, for the overall protection of the park’s fauna and flora. Kanha boasts of about 38 species of mammals. Some of the inhabitants of this park are the Gaur, the largest of the world’s cattle; the Sambar, the largest Indian Deer; and the Chausingha, the only four-horned Antelope in the world. Other frequent visitors include the Nilgai antelope, the sloth bear, the Dhole, or Indian wild dog, and an occasional Leopard. Some 300 species of birds inhabit the park, that includes the Storks, Egrets, Black Ibis, Raptors, Owls, and the Red-Wattled Lapwings.
Depart for an evening jeep safari to Kanha National Park. Return at 1800 hours from the safari. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Morning & evening game drives in the park. Meals at the resort. Overnight at the Lodge.
The stories of Kanha are many. It is believed that Kanha got its name from a Holy sage Kanva who lived here, he was the father of Shakuntala the lead character in Kalidasa’s famous play, Abhigyanashakuntalam. The Epic of Ramayana was also born here. Our naturalists will share many such stories with you on your visit in Kanha.
Morning jeep safari to the national park, after Lunch depart for Bandhavgarh, 280kms, 6 hours drive. On arrival check into the Lodge. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Resort. Morning and afternoon Jeep safari to the national park.
Bandhavgarh: The national park is mainly known for the density of its tiger population. This is the place where the famous White Tigers of Rewa were discovered. The other wild attractions in the park include Leopards, Blue Bulls, Indian Gaur (Bison) Chausingha (Four Horned Antelopes), Spotted Deers, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bears Fox, Jackals, Wild Dogs, etc. There are at least 22 mammal species and about 250 bird species in the Park. The other animals found in Bandhavgarh are Ratel, Porcupine, Small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel, Lesser Bandicoot rat, the Jungle Cat, and the shy Hyenas. The reptile population in the park includes Cobras, Kraits, Vipers, Ratsnakes, Pythons, Monitor Lizards and turtles. The two-primate species – the rhesus macaque and the Hanuman langur – inhabit Bandhavgarh. Dinner and overnight at the Resort.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Resort. Morning and afternoon jeep safari to the national park.
Bandhavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000 years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch Ratra and the Shiva Purana.
The oldest sign of habitation in the park are caves dug into the sandstone to the north of the fort. Several contain Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 1st century B.C. Various dynasties have ruled the fort, for example, the Maghas from the 1st century A.D., the Vakatakas from the 3rd century A.D., From that time onwards Bandhavgarh was ruled by a succession of dynasties including the Chandela Kings Bandhavgarh became more and more deserted until forest overran the area band it became the royal hunting reserve. This helped to preserve the forest and its wildlife, although the Maharajas made full use of their rights. At independence, Bandhavgarh remained the private property of the Maharaja until he gave it to the state for the formation of the National Park in 1968. After the park was created poaching and hunting was brought under control and the number of animals rose dramatically. The Tigers in particular prospered and the 1986 extension provided much needed forest to accommodate them. Overnight at the resort.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Resort. Morning and afternoon Jeep safaris to the national park. Overnight at the resort.
Morning Jeep safari in the park. After lunch drive to Jabalpur airport, 200 km /4hrs drive to board a flight to New Delhi at 1750 hrs. Arrive New Delhi at 1945 hrs and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to New Delhi International Airport to board your onward flight/flight back home.
Post - Tala, Bandhavgarh National Park, District - Umaria, Madhya Pradesh, Pin code - 484664
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