Madhya Pradesh
A conservation success story on the Ken river
Ken river gorges & reintroduced tigers
State
Madhya Pradesh
Suggested stay
2–3 nights
Ideal for
Wildlife, Culture, Conservation
Overview
Panna lost its tigers entirely and, through one of India's most remarkable reintroduction programmes, brought them back. Today the reserve's gorges, plateaux and the Ken river again hold a breeding population.
Why visit
A genuinely moving conservation story, dramatic river-gorge scenery, boat rides on the Ken, and easy pairing with the temples of Khajuraho an hour away.
Wildlife
Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, chinkara, mugger crocodile, gharial and superb raptor and vulture activity.
Landscape
Table-top plateaux, deep gorges cut by the Ken river, and dry teak and mixed forest.
Best time to visit
Typically open October to June. Exact opening dates and zone availability are confirmed at the time of booking.
How to reach
Khajuraho airport is approx. 1 hr, with flights from Delhi and Varanasi.
Safari zones
Madla
Main entry near the Ken river
Hinauta
Plateau forest and gorges
Akola buffer
Quieter buffer drives
Frequently asked questions
Why visit Panna?+
For the conservation story, the scenery and the ease of combining wild tigers with the temples of Khajuraho.
How are sightings?+
Improving steadily as the reintroduced population grows, though still less predictable than Bandhavgarh.
Can I combine it with Bandhavgarh?+
Yes — Panna and Bandhavgarh pair well on a Madhya Pradesh circuit.
Related journeys
Itineraries that pair naturally with a visit to Panna.
Begin your journey
Your Journey Into Tiger Country Begins Here
Tell us when you want to travel, what you hope to experience and how you like to explore. We'll help shape the right journey.