Set in the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh along the Ken river, near Khajuraho, Panna is a landscape of dramatic gorges, waterfalls and grasslands. It is celebrated as a conservation comeback: tigers were lost here around 2009 and successfully reintroduced, making Panna a landmark revival story and now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The park is open from October to June and closes during the monsoon, July to September. October to March is pleasant, while the summer months bring the best chances of a sighting.
Core zones run along the Ken river, reached through the Madla and Hinauta gates, with buffer areas beyond and boat rides available on the Ken.
Khajuraho airport is the closest at around 25 to 30 km, with rail also to Khajuraho and a road transfer onward.
New shared safaris coming soon.
The park holds Bengal tiger, leopard and sloth bear, along with chital, sambar, nilgai and chinkara, gharial and mugger crocodile, and more than 200 bird species including vultures.
Morning and evening jeep safaris are complemented by a boat safari on the Ken river. Panna is often paired with a visit to the Khajuraho temples, some 30 km away.