Tracking tiger in Kanha can both be exciting and frustrating at the same time. Hours after in an open jeep you may get a good glimpse of other animals but the tiger. Despite of all your efforts – like by following pugmarks, keeping your eyes peeled for signs of dragged kill and listening for alarm calls, the majestic animal just wouldn't oblige. But if the luck is on your side (with an astute guide), who knows you’ll be boasting about your first time tiger encounter experience. Kanha no doubt is a tiger country and the probability of watching one is surely high here if not guaranteed.

Spotting wild animals in any park is always a matter of luck but Kanha is so rich in wildlife that the odds are tilted in your favour. Novice (read 1st time) visitors are often so keen to spot the tiger that they overlook the animals, which only adds to the disappointment. The trick is to keep your eyes and ears open to enjoy the jungle tour.

No doubt, tiger is the star attraction at the Kanha National Park, there are other animals, which adds to the wildlife experience. The main wildlife attractions include bison, gaur, sambhar, chital, barasingha, barking deer, black buck, chousingha, nilgai, mouse deer, sloth bear, jackal fox, black deer, porcupine, jungle cat, hyena, python, pea fowl, hare, mongoose, monkey, and leopard.

Tiger may be a sure shot draw for visitors to the park, but if there is an animal that represent Kanha, it is the barasingha, or the swamp deer. The barasinghas at the Kanha National Park are unique, being the hard-ground variety, which can be seen roaming around the large open tracts of grass amidst the forests of teak and bamboo. At one point of time (some 20 years ago), the barasingha was faced with extinction but some desperate measures including the fencing-off of some animals helped save them and again the air in Kanha bugle with their rutting calls. 
In winter season, when open meadows teem with barasinghas, you can rest assured that there is a predator on the prowl around the fringes. A tiger, out of nowhere would circle around at least two or three times during the day and the swamp deer would go berserk, their husky alarm calls ringing through the jungle.

Someone rightly said tiger is the nucleus of most of India’s wildlife experience and other experiences — especially those related to birds — often get overlooked. But if you are a keen bird lover don’t miss on birds in the Kanha National Park. There are as many as 300 bird species here, both resident and migratory. The birds species in the park include teals, storks, pond herons, pintails, egrets, peacock, pea fowl, jungle fowl, spur fowl, partridges, quails, spotted parakeets, ring doves, rock pigeons, green pigeons, cuckoos, bee-eater, hoopoes, drongos, warblers, kingfishers, finches, woodpeckers, orioles, owls and fly catchers. 

Elephant safari or a jeep safari is surely a must, to gain a perspective of the park. A Jeep safari can be organised either in the morning or afternoon. Jeeps can be hired from the MPTDC office. If you are staying at a camp, you can opt for their vehicles and guide. Safari timings 6 am -12 noon, 3-5.30 pm; depends on sunrise and sunset.
Tiger-show is another exciting thing to opt for in Kanha National Park. Tiger show fee Indians Rs. 100, foreigners Rs. 600. Tourists can go on an elephant ride only when they book a seat for the Tiger Show.

Kanha Museum is good to visit as it holds great treasures of natural history. In fact if you want to have a good idea about the park, its contours, topography and wildlife diversity – this is the place to go.

Places to stay in Kanha National Park
There are a number of places to stay in Kanha, however if you are looking to stay inside the park, you'll find mostly state run hotels or guest houses. Other stay options including resorts, forest lodges and regular hotels.
Check Hotels in Kanha National Park.

By Air: Nagpur at 266-kms is the nearest Airport to visit Kanha National Park and is connected by various domestic airline services with Mumbai.

By Rail: Jabalpur at 169-kms is the convenient rail head to visit Kanha.

By Road: Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur 175-kms, Khajuraho 445-kms, Nagpur 266-kms, Mukki 25-kms, Raipur 219-kms.