Panna National Park
About Panna National Park
Panna National Park is one of the well-known tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh. It lies in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of the state. The park covers dry deciduous forests, grasslands, rocky areas, deep valleys and the Ken River.
Panna is known for its Bengal tigers and the Ken River. The river flows through the reserve and supports many animals and birds. The park also forms part of the landscape around the famous Khajuraho temples.
Panna has a dry deciduous forest with trees such as teak, tendu, mahua, dhak and salai. Open grasslands and rocky areas add to the variety of habitats.
The reserve supports tigers, leopards, sloth bears, dholes, chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara and wild boar.
Panna Tiger Reserve covers around 1,598 sq km, including the core and buffer areas.
Panna also has a strong population of mugger crocodiles along the Ken River. The river and its surroundings support many waterbirds and other wildlife.
Panna Safari Packages
Best Seller
Orchha, Khajuraho & Central India Tiger Tour
Duration : 11 Days
Destination : Delhi › Orchha › Khajuraho › Panna › Satpura › Khajuraho › Delhi
Panna, Bandhavgarh and Tajmahal
Duration : 13 Days
Destination : Delhi › Agra › Orchha › Khajuraho › Panna › Bandhavagarh › Jabalpur › Delhi
Wildlife in Panna National Park
Panna has a good variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. Tigers remain the main attraction, while the Ken River adds another important wildlife habitat.
Chital and sambar are common prey species in the forest. Nilgai, chinkara and wild boar can also be seen in open areas.
Leopards live in the rocky and forested parts of the reserve. Sloth bears use the forest for food and shelter. Dholes also occur in the reserve and hunt in packs.
The Ken River supports mugger crocodiles, turtles and many waterbirds. Vultures and other birds can also be seen around the cliffs and forest areas.
Mammals
- Bengal Tiger
- Leopard
- Dhole
- Sloth Bear
- Striped Hyena
- Jungle Cat
- Chital
- Sambar Deer
- Nilgai
- Chinkarape
- Indian Gazelle
Birds
- Indian Peafowl
- Indian Vulture
- White-backed Vulture
- Egyptian Vulture
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- Changeable Hawk-Eagle
- Indian Roller
- Painted Stork
- Kingfisher
- Indian Grey Hornbill
- Parakeets
Reptiles
- Mugger Crocodile
- Indian Python
- Indian Cobra
- Common Krait
- Indian Rat Snake
- Russell’s Viper
- Bengal Monitor
- Indian Flapshell Turtle
- Indian Softshell Turtle
- Indian Star Tortoise
- Indian Rock Python
Safari Zones in Panna National Park
Panna Tiger Reserve has three main tourism areas: Madla, Hinauta and Akola. The Madla and Hinauta gates provide access to popular safari areas of the reserve.
Madla Zone
Madla is one of the main safari entry points in Panna. The zone lies along the Ken River and has forests, open areas and water sources.
Visitors can look for tigers, leopards, chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar and mugger crocodiles during a safari.
Hinauta Zone
Hinauta lies on the eastern side of the reserve. The area has dry forests, grasslands and rocky terrain.
The zone supports tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, nilgai and many bird species.
Akola Zone
Akola forms part of the newer tourism area of Panna. The landscape includes dry forest, open patches and water sources.
Visitors can look for tigers, leopards, deer, wild boar and other wildlife during a safari.
Best Time to Visit Panna National Park
The best time to visit Panna National Park is from October to June. The main tourism season runs through the cooler and hotter months, while regular tourism in the core area stops during the monsoon.
October to February: Cool weather makes safari drives comfortable. The forest remains greener after the monsoon, and you can see deer, birds and other wildlife.
March to April: Temperatures start rising and animals begin using water sources more often. This is a good period for tiger safaris.
May to June: These are the hottest months. Water becomes limited in many parts of the forest, so animals often stay near water sources. Dry vegetation can also make wildlife easier to spot.
Best Time for Tiger Safari in Panna
March to June is a good period for a tiger safari in Panna. The hotter weather brings animals closer to water sources.
The dry forest also gives better visibility in many areas. Tigers can still move through different parts of the reserve, so a sighting cannot be guaranteed.
Taking more than one safari gives you more chances to look for tigers and other wildlife.
Panna National Park Climate
Panna has hot summers, cool winters and a monsoon season from July to September.
Summer: March to June stays hot. April and May are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching around 40°C to 45°C.
Winter: November to February brings cool weather. Early mornings can feel cold, especially in December and January.
Monsoon: July to September brings most of the rainfall. The forest becomes greener, while regular safari tourism in the core area remains closed during this period.
Panna climate chart
| Temperature | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (°C) | 8 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 13 | 9 |
| Max (°C) | 24 | 28 | 34 | 39 | 42 | 40 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 25 |
How to Reach Panna National Park
By Air
Khajuraho Airport: Khajuraho is the closest airport for Panna. The airport has flight connections with selected major Indian cities. From the airport, you can continue to Panna by road.
Jabalpur Airport: Jabalpur is another option for reaching Panna. You can take a taxi or private vehicle from Jabalpur to the park.
By Road
Khajuraho is one of the easiest options for visitors combining a wildlife trip with a visit to the Khajuraho temples. Taxis and private vehicles are available from nearby towns and transport points.
By Train
Khajuraho Railway Station: Khajuraho is a useful railway option for visitors travelling to Panna. From the station, you can continue by road.
Satna Railway Station: Satna is a major railway station in the region and has connections with several Indian cities. From Satna, you can travel to Panna by road.
Jabalpur Railway Station: Jabalpur is a larger railway junction with trains from many parts of India. You can continue to Panna by road after reaching the city.
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