Located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, Panna National Park is a tiger paradise, a pretty landscape, and a conservation story. Famous for tigers, luscious woods, and the idyllic Ken River, Panna provides a less crowded and more personal safari experience than some of its trendier rivals like Bandhavgarh or Kanha. As a wildlife photographer or just someone needing a quiet sojourn among nature, Panna has a little bit of magic to deliver.
Panna was notified as a Tiger Reserve in 1994 and falls within the Panna Biosphere Reserve. Occupying an area of over 500 square kilometers, the park has an abundance of wildlife, like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, Indian wolves, and more than 200 bird species. The park's centerpiece is the Ken River, which passes through its central portion, excavating gorges, waterfalls, and viewing points in its course. It is also a conservation success story — having lost its tiger population in the early 2000s, a successful reintroduction program has re-established big cats within.
Safari timings
Two primary safaris are run by the park daily — one in the morning and one in the evening — and night safaris in the buffer zones.
Morning Safari October to February: 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM; March to June: 5:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Evening Safari October to February: 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM; March to June: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Note: The Monsoon season closes the park (July to mid-October).
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Safari chargesPrice (Indian) 1500 INR Per Person Gypsy / 8000 INR Full Gypsy (weekdays)—core 2000 INR Per Person Gypsy / 9000 INR Full Gypsy (weekend)—core 7000 INR Full Gypsy (all days) -- Buffer
Price (Foreigner) 2500 INR Per Person Gypsy / 12,000 INR for a Full Gypsy (weekdays)—core 3000 INR Per Person Gypsy / 14,000 INR Full Gypsy (weekend) – Core 9000 INR Full Gypsy (all days) – Buffer
Best time to visit
Panna can be visited from October to June, but your visit choice depends. - November to February (Winter): Suitable for general wildlife viewing and good weather. Mornings may be cold.
March to June (Summer): Best for tiger and other wildlife sightings in the vicinity of water points, but heat increases above 40°C.
Monsoon (July to September): The park remains closed, but the surrounding area near the park turns into a beautiful green patch and is very photogenic in the periphery of the core zones.
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How to reach Panna National Park Panna is easily accessible by air, train, and road. The majority of the tourists take Khajuraho as their base point, which is merely 25 kilometers away.
By Air: The closest airport is Khajuraho Airport (HJR), with frequent flights from Delhi and Varanasi.
By Train: The closest railway station is Khajuraho Railway Station. Options are Satna and Jhansi with enhanced connectivity.
By Road: Good road connections from Satna, Khajuraho, Chhatarpur, and Jhansi. Private cars, taxis, and buses may be used to reach the park.
Travel tips
Wear earth-colored and natural-colored clothes to blend into the surroundings.
Bring sunscreen, a cap, insect spray, a bottle of water, and binoculars.
Bring a government ID photograph for safari entry.
Reach your scheduled safari at least 30 minutes in advance.
Abide by all forest department guidelines, and refrain from littering.
Unlike the other, busier parks, here you can enjoy slow safaris, listen to forest sounds, and soak up landscapes. Added to the magic of the Ken River, scenic waterfalls around, such as Raneh Falls, and proximity to world-famous temples of Khajuraho, Panna is a complete and fulfilling experience. Panna National Park is not merely about tiger spotting—it's about renewal in nature at its simplest. Whether you're traveling alone or with your family, it guarantees memories that will last an eternity.
Panna was notified as a Tiger Reserve in 1994 and falls within the Panna Biosphere Reserve. Occupying an area of over 500 square kilometers, the park has an abundance of wildlife, like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, Indian wolves, and more than 200 bird species. The park's centerpiece is the Ken River, which passes through its central portion, excavating gorges, waterfalls, and viewing points in its course. It is also a conservation success story — having lost its tiger population in the early 2000s, a successful reintroduction program has re-established big cats within.
Safari timings
Two primary safaris are run by the park daily — one in the morning and one in the evening — and night safaris in the buffer zones.
Morning Safari October to February: 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM; March to June: 5:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Evening Safari October to February: 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM; March to June: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Note: The Monsoon season closes the park (July to mid-October).
Read more: India’s Angkor Wat? 5 things you didn’t know about Unakoti
Safari chargesPrice (Indian) 1500 INR Per Person Gypsy / 8000 INR Full Gypsy (weekdays)—core 2000 INR Per Person Gypsy / 9000 INR Full Gypsy (weekend)—core 7000 INR Full Gypsy (all days) -- Buffer
Price (Foreigner) 2500 INR Per Person Gypsy / 12,000 INR for a Full Gypsy (weekdays)—core 3000 INR Per Person Gypsy / 14,000 INR Full Gypsy (weekend) – Core 9000 INR Full Gypsy (all days) – Buffer
Best time to visit
Panna can be visited from October to June, but your visit choice depends. - November to February (Winter): Suitable for general wildlife viewing and good weather. Mornings may be cold.
March to June (Summer): Best for tiger and other wildlife sightings in the vicinity of water points, but heat increases above 40°C.
Monsoon (July to September): The park remains closed, but the surrounding area near the park turns into a beautiful green patch and is very photogenic in the periphery of the core zones.
Read more: Top 7 Indian destinations that look nothing like India and are a must-visit
How to reach Panna National Park Panna is easily accessible by air, train, and road. The majority of the tourists take Khajuraho as their base point, which is merely 25 kilometers away.
By Air: The closest airport is Khajuraho Airport (HJR), with frequent flights from Delhi and Varanasi.
By Train: The closest railway station is Khajuraho Railway Station. Options are Satna and Jhansi with enhanced connectivity.
By Road: Good road connections from Satna, Khajuraho, Chhatarpur, and Jhansi. Private cars, taxis, and buses may be used to reach the park.
Travel tips
Wear earth-colored and natural-colored clothes to blend into the surroundings.
Bring sunscreen, a cap, insect spray, a bottle of water, and binoculars.
Bring a government ID photograph for safari entry.
Reach your scheduled safari at least 30 minutes in advance.
Abide by all forest department guidelines, and refrain from littering.
Unlike the other, busier parks, here you can enjoy slow safaris, listen to forest sounds, and soak up landscapes. Added to the magic of the Ken River, scenic waterfalls around, such as Raneh Falls, and proximity to world-famous temples of Khajuraho, Panna is a complete and fulfilling experience. Panna National Park is not merely about tiger spotting—it's about renewal in nature at its simplest. Whether you're traveling alone or with your family, it guarantees memories that will last an eternity.
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