Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksThe Tiger's Second Chance
Madhya Pradesh
Image: Shivamd2d / CC BY-SA 4.0Welcome to Panna National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Book safari permits through the Madhya Pradesh forest booking portal.
Jeep safaris on maintained forest tracks. Rocky terrain can be bumpy. Boat safaris require stepping into boats at river level. The Madla gate area is accessible. Khajuraho (25 km) is well-developed for tourism.
Panna National Park, set in the Vindhyan range of northern Madhya Pradesh, is one of conservation's most dramatic comeback stories. By 2009, every single tiger in Panna had been poached — a total population crash that shocked India and the world. In a bold experiment, tigers from Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench were reintroduced starting in 2009. Against all odds, the reintroduced tigers adapted, bred, and thrived. Today, Panna has over 50 tigers and serves as a global model for large carnivore reintroduction. The park's dramatic gorges carved by the Ken River, ancient temples, and diamond mines add historical and geological interest.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Oct - Feb) | 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Summer (Mar - Jun) | 5:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Two gates: Madla and Hinauta. Madla is the main tourist gate. Boat safaris on the Ken River are arranged at the park office. Jeep and boat safaris can be combined in a day.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 80 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 1,600 per person |
| Jeep Safari | INR 3,500 - 5,500 per trip |
| Boat Safari | INR 2,000 - 3,500 per trip |
| Guide Fee | INR 500 per trip (mandatory) |
Panna is less crowded than Bandhavgarh and Kanha, with easier permit availability. The combination of jeep and boat safaris makes for a varied experience.
Panna National Park, Panna District, Madhya Pradesh 488001
24.7188° N, 80.0029° E
Nearest airport is Khajuraho (25 km) with flights from Delhi, Varanasi, and Mumbai. Perfect for combining a wildlife and temple heritage trip.
Nearest stations are Khajuraho (25 km, limited service) and Satna (90 km) on the Mumbai-Howrah line with better connectivity.
25 km from Khajuraho, 90 km from Satna, 190 km from Jabalpur. Good roads. Taxis easily available from Khajuraho.
Most resorts provide transfers from Khajuraho. Safari vehicles at the Madla gate. Auto-rickshaws available in Panna town.
Dry deciduous forests with teak, Boswellia, Acacia, and Butea (Flame of the Forest). Open scrubland on plateau areas. Riverine vegetation along the Ken. The terrain is rocky Vindhyan sandstone with dramatic gorges.
Over 50 tigers (all descended from reintroduced individuals since 2009), leopards, sloth bears, chinkara, sambar, wild boar, and four-horned antelope. The Ken River hosts gharials and mugger crocodiles. Critically endangered vultures (Indian and White-rumped) nest in the gorges.
Panna was declared a national park in 1981 and a tiger reserve in 1994. In a devastating blow, systematic poaching between 2005-2009 wiped out the entire tiger population. The last tiger was confirmed gone in early 2009. In a landmark conservation effort, two tigresses from Pench and one from Bandhavgarh were relocated to Panna in 2009, followed by males from Kanha. The reintroduction succeeded beyond expectations — the population has grown to over 50, making Panna the most successful large carnivore reintroduction in India and a global conservation model.
