DESTINATION

Panna National Park

Panna, Madhya Pradesh

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve carved by the Ken River gorge, Panna is Central India's great tiger comeback story — the core zone lost every resident tiger by 2009 and was rebuilt from a handful of reintroduced cats into a thriving population within a decade. Add dramatic sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and one of India's best vulture colonies, and it's a reserve with as much scenic drama as wildlife.

FLORA & FAUNA

What grows and roams here

Flora

  • Dry deciduous teak forest
  • Ken River riverine growth
  • Bamboo

Fauna

  • Bengal tiger
  • Leopard
  • Indian wolf
  • Gharial (Ken Gharial Sanctuary)
  • Long-billed vulture

SAFARI ZONES

Zones & gates

Safari zoneGate code
HinautaHIN-01
MadlaMAD-02
AkolaAKO-03

SEASON

Best time to visit

Open October through June. The Ken River gorge stays scenic year-round, with tiger sightings strongest March to May as the dry season concentrates wildlife near water.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  • Peak sightings
  • Core zone closed
  • Open, moderate

GETTING HERE

How to reach

Nagpur

620 km · approx. 11 hrs by road, or fly to Khajuraho (1.5 hrs) + 1 hr road

Delhi

620 km · fly to Khajuraho (1.3 hrs) + 1 hr road

Mumbai

1,150 km · fly to Khajuraho (2 hrs, seasonal/connecting) + 1 hr road

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Before you ask.

Still have questions?

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Plan a safari here
Is it true Panna lost all its tigers at one point?

Yes — poaching wiped out the core zone's tigers by 2009, a well-documented low point for Indian conservation. A reintroduction program starting that year rebuilt the population from scratch, and Panna is now held up as a model recovery.

Can I combine this with the Khajuraho temples?

Very easily — Panna's gate is around 25 km from the Khajuraho temple complex, making this one of our most natural heritage-plus-wildlife pairings.

Is there a boat safari option here?

Yes — a boat safari along the Ken River gorge is available as an add-on to the standard gypsy drives, and it's one of the more distinctive experiences we offer in Madhya Pradesh.

Is Panna good for birdwatchers?

Yes — the gorge cliffs host one of India's healthier vulture colonies alongside strong raptor and waterbird numbers along the Ken River.

Which zone should I book first?

Hinauta is the most established gate with the strongest tiger records; Madla and Akola are worth adding on a longer stay for the gorge scenery.