Panna National Park near Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh is an upcoming national park thanks to the revival of the tiger population which at the turn of the millennium was wiped out due to poaching. Due to serious conservation efforts that also involved translocating of tigers from other tiger reserves in the country, today, Panna has over 80 tigers, brilliant avifauna, stunning built and natural history and excellent connectivity to other parts of the country.
Khajuraho temples
At the turn of the millennium, it was well known that safaris in Panna are fruitless. Most itineraries would include visits to the world famous UNESCO heritage temples of Khajuraho and that’s it. Many travel companies and guides would discourage tourists from doing safaris in Panna National Park because there was nothing to see other than monkeys, peacocks and deer.
Today, the tables have turned and Panna is roaring with not just tigers but also sloth bears, leopards, smaller cats such as the rusty spotted cat (smallest wild cat species in the world), jungle cat and the desert cat. The Park is also home to Indian gazelle, four-horned antelope besides other antelopes and deer species.
Leopard during jeep safari
Hundreds of Indian Vultures in Panna
Avifauna is rich too with over 200 species recorded in the park. The terrain is rocky with plateaus and densely forested and jagged Vindhyan mountain range creating an ideal roosting site for many of India’s vulnerable vulture and other birds of prey species. During safaris you will occasionally find them by the hundreds at a point commonly known as the Vulture Point, a deep gorge which turns into a waterfall during the monsoon season. It in on these rocky cliffs you will see Indian and King vultures and in the winter season Himalayan Griffon and Cinereous vultures are also spotted here.
Other birds of prey that are often spotted during the safaris include the crested serpent eagle, changeable hawk eagle, white eyed buzzard, brown fish owl, Indian scops owl, mottled wood owl and the Shaheen falcon.
Shaheen Falcon
Indian Pitta
Summer visitors include Indian Pitta, Paradise flycatcher and far carrying songs of the Common hawk cuckoo (commonly known as the brain-fever bird) and the Indian cuckoo. While the Indian pitta and the flycatcher are easy to spot the cuckoos are more often heard than seen. Another cuckoo that is spotted towards the end of the summer season is the Jacobin or the pied cuckoo. Many believe that the presence of the Jacobin cuckoo heralds the onset of the monsoon season.
Unlike many national parks, Panna allows visitors a glimpse of it’s spectacular star-studded night life. Visitors can do a night jeep safari from 7-9PM (timings differ from season to season). Night safaris are done in the buffer zone of the national park which is in close proximity to villages. Surprisingly, it is here in these buffer zones with regular human movement where you can spot sloth bears, leopards, smaller cat species, honey badger and pangolin.
Rusty-spotted Cat during night safari in Panna
Mottled-wood Owl during night safari in Panna
Nocturnal birds such nightjars and owls can are also spotted during the night safari. If you request for a night safari, rest assured we will engage a local guide/naturalist for you from one of the villages that surrounds the buffer zone and is well familiar with the area.
Other thrilling activities include boating on the Ken (Karnavati) River, visit to one of the many waterfalls and canyons in the region. Ken river is the lifeline of Panna National Park is one of the cleanest rivers of India. Ken is also a significant tributary of the Yamuna river. During the boat safaris you may get to see the marsh crocodile and also gharials. Several species of migratory birds also can be spotted along the banks of the Ken river during the winter season. Painted francolins are often spotted in the grasslands and woodlands near the Ken river.
Painted Francolin
Royal Hunting Lodge in Panna National Park
An ideal visit to Panna should be for at least three nights. If you’re a wildlife photographer then we recommend a longer stay. If you were to do a three night stay then we can organize four-five safaris, a visit to Khajuraho temples and if time permits then also a visit to Raneh waterfalls. Optional day trips can be organized to the stunning Kalinjar Fort and other lesser known historical places in the area.
While in Panna, we also encourage our guests to visit a livelihood program that focuses on developing responsible handmade souvenirs and merchandise portraying wildlife and local culture. The proceeds from your purchase provide economic benefit to the local communities. At the craft center you can also create your own souvenir be it a t-shirt or a tote bag. We can arrange workshops for you and your family when you visit Panna.
Design your own souvenir in Panna
Tiger keeping an eye on Peacock
Today, Panna (and Khajuraho) are well connected by road, air and train. Khajuraho airport has direct flights from Delhi and more flights are expected in the near future. From Khajuraho airport, Panna National Park is a 15 minute drive. Gwalior airport is a four-hour drive, Agra is a six-hour drive and it takes eight hours by the super-fast Vande Bharat train from Delhi Nizamuddin (via Agra) to Khajuraho. The train departs at 6AM and arrives in Khajuraho at 2:20PM.
Please keep in mind that safari permits are limited and need to be booked 2-3 months ahead of your intended visit. As such, to avoid disappointment we request our guests to finalize their dates well in advance. When in Panna, you can expect us to organize your entire stay from comfortable hotels, ground transportation, safaris to experienced naturalists. We personally try everything and then only do we recommend you our very best.
Sloth bear and cubs from night safari in Panna National park
