Panna is situated in the Vindhyan Range and spreads over Panna and Chhatarpur districts in the northern part of the Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) State of India.

One of the most significant ecological aspects of the Reserve is that the district Panna makes the northern most boundary of natural distribution of teak and the eastern limits of teak-kardhai mixed forests.

The Ken river, which flows through the Reserve from south to north, is the home for long snouted crocodile (gharial) and Marsh Crocodile (maggar) and other aquatic fauna. It is one of the sixteen perennial rivers of M.P. and is truly the life-line of the Reserve. It offers some of the most spectacular scenery while it meanders for about 55 km. through the Reserve.

The terrain of the Reserve is characterised by extensive plateaus and gorges. The topography in the Panna district part of the Reserve can broadly be divided into three distinct tablelands - the upper Talgaon Plateau, the middle Hinouta Plateau and the Ken valley while there are series of undulating hills and plateaus on the other side of Ken river in the Chhatarpur district.

The Reserve's most undisturbed habitat of about 70-80 sq. km. lies on the Hinouta plateau. This is due to relocation of three villages from this area in 1980s. Dry and short grass habitat with open woodland is quite extensive. It supports Blue Bull (nilgai) and chinkara. The areas with tall grasses associated with woodland, support good densities of sambar and chital. Mesic areas are distributed along the major seasonal streams and in the Ken river valley. Steep slopes of plateaus are drier and are dominated by Acacia catachu. Distribution of these habitats creates a heterogeneous landscape, where ecological conditions vary seasonally.

Panna Tiger Reserve is most important PA in the north-central highlands of India, as it links the eastern and western populationsof wild animals through the NE-SW running Vindhyan ranges.

Panna National Reserve was created in 1981. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1994, 22nd in the country and fifth in the state. The National Reserve consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. This sanctuary comprised of territorial forests of the present North Panna Forest Division to which a portion of the adjoining Chhatarpur Forest Division was added later. The reserved forests of the Reserve in Panna district and some protected forests on Chhatarpur district were the hunting preserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states.

Area 543 sq km Temperature Maximum 31.4°C Temperature Minimum 13.5°C Best Time to Visit January to May Languages Spoken Hindi, English STD Code 07732 (Panna)

  

The Panna National Park is located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and is a part of the Chattarpur district. The park is well connected with the other parts of the region by a good network of roads. Distances of some important places in India from the Panna National Park are Bhopal 727 km, Delhi 889 km, Chennai 1761, and Calcutta 1040 kms.

The climate of this region is tropical. Summers are too hot and very uncomfortable, though this is the time when one has the maximum chances of encountering the exclusive wildlife of this park. Winters are cold and comfortable and the temperature generally remains under 25°C. Monsoon touches this region in July and continues till mid-September.

This region has mixed deciduous forests. The landscape of this rocky and uneven terrain is covered by scrubby vegetation and grass.

Fauna of this park includes, apart from the tiger; wolf, chital, sloth bear, chinkara, and sambar. Tiger sightings are not very common here and to watch a wild cat in action needs a lot of patience along with luck. The Ken River that flows from here towards the north harbours both the major Indian species of crocodiles i.e. the mugger and long snouted gharial.

Panna is famous for its diamond mining industry and this make it an interesting place to visit. Pandav falls is also a major attraction with its lake fed by a waterfall. One more attraction in this region is the Rajgarh Palace, a magnificent piece of architecture overlooking the valley.

Khajuraho is situated at a distance of around 57 km from the Panna National Park. The place is a world heritage site famous for the exquisite sculptures adorning the temples there. The erotic images on the walls of the temples are well known and attract tourists from all over the world. Major attractions are the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Lakshman Temple, Devi Jagdamba Temple, temple of Vishwanath and Nandi, Chaunsath Yogini Temple, Parsvanatha Temple, Shanti Nath Temple, Ghantai Temple, and temples of Brahma and Hanuman.

Majhgaon, at a distance of around 55 km, has the country's only working diamond mine.

The nearest airport is at Khajuraho at a distance of around 57 km from the Panna National Park. There are daily Alliance Air flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Varanasi from Khajuraho.

Satna, at a distance of around 90 km, is the nearest railway station. It is a major railway hub and is connected to many places in central and western India, the most important of them being Mumbai at a distance of 1,540 kms.

The nearest bus stand is Panna connected to Khajuraho and many other places in Madhya Pradesh by a good road network. Madla, at a distance of around 24 km southwest of Khajuraho, is a good transport centre. One can get buses and other road transport modes from here to the Panna National Park.

Tree houses and tourist lodges are available in the vicinity of the Panna National Park to accommodate the visitors. Most of the better accommodation options are available at Madla. The other option is to stay in any hotel at Khajuraho and organise a day trip to the park.

Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Panna National Park. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Panna National Park Pleasant.

• Most safaris into the park start from the Madla village. The entrance on the eastern side is from Hindouta, located at an approachable distance from the Panna diamond mines.

• Park charges Entry Fee : Rs. 40 (Indians) & Rs. 500 (foreigners, including morning and afternoon safaris), Jeep rental : Rs. 1500/half day, Camera : Rs. 40 (still) & Rs. 200 (video), Guide : Rs. 100/vehicle, Private vehicle entry : Rs. 150, Boat Ride :Rs. 150 (Indians, 1-5 pax) & Rs. 150/person (foreigners), Elephant safari : Rs. 100 (Indians) & Rs. 600 (foreigners), Night Safari : Rs. 1800/jeep (including entry fees).

• Park timings are 6:30 to 10:30 AM & 2:30 to 5:30 PM.

• If you can stand the heat, it is recommended to visit the park during summer months as it is the best time to spot animals.

• Check on the timings and reach half an hour early before park gates open to complete the required formalities.

• Follow the rules of the park and do not venture into restricted areas.

• Do not try and feed the animals and avoid wearing flashy colors that could attract the wild animals.

• Do not litter, carry all the garbage outside the park and dispose off in a suitable area.

Khajuraho : 37 km (SE)

Delhi : 580 km (SE)

Mumbai : 986 km

Jhansi : 176 km (SE)

Kolkata : 865 km