Panna Tiger Reserve near Khajuraho
Overview
Panna National Park is a well known wildlife park that lies in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. The park was declared as the 22nd tiger reserve in 1993 under the aegis of Project Tiger. Panna National Park was conferred with the Award of Excellence in 2007 as it was considered to be the best maintained national park in India by the Ministry of Tourism in India. It is one of the most prominent destinations for wildlife tourism in Madhya Pradesh as it not only sports a diverse range of flora and fauna, but also has some of the most remarkable natural scenery and glorious waterfalls.
Information
The park is spread across an enormous area of 542.67 sq kms that includes open grasslands, riverines with tall grasses and dry mixed forest coupled with shallow Vindhyan soil. Panna lies besides the area surrounding the Ken river and thus it is a home to some of the wildest ranges of mammals, reptiles and birds. Among the wide variety of animals found here are Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, chital, chinkara, nilgai, sambhar and sloth bear. The park also has over 200 different species of birds including bar-headed goose, honey buzzard, king vulture, blossom-headed parakeet, changeable hawk-eagle and Indian vulture. The tourists who visit the park from all over the world get a chance to witness this land of cultural richness and natural splendour.
- Size – 542.67 sq kms
- Forest type – Miscellaneous Dry Deciduous forest interspersed with grassland areas
Star Species
In order to experience the thrill of the wilderness by staying in close proximity to the park, the resorts in Panna National Park would be the best option when it comes to looking for accommodations in the area. Built with a view to mesmerize, these luxurious resorts are decked with immense potential and unparalleled commitment to make your stay a beautiful and unforgettable memory.
- Key Mammals – Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, chital, chinkara, nilgai, sambhar and sloth bear, Indian Wolf, Four-Horned Antelope
- Key Birds – Bar-headed goose, honey buzzard, king vulture, blossom-headed parakeet, changeable hawk-eagle, Indian vulture, Slaty headed Scimitar babbler
How to reach
- By train – The nearby main railheads include Jhansi railway station (180kms) for those traveling from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, Satna railway station (90 km) for those traveling from Delhi, Kolkata and Varanasi and Katni railway station (150 km) for those traveling from Mumbai, Chennai and Nagpur. There are options of taxis and buses from these railway stations to the park.
- By Air – The nearest domestic airport is Khajuraho airport which is 94 kms from the park. However, there is no direct air connectivity to Khajuraho from major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore. The nearest international airport to Panna National Park is Raja Bhoj International Airport which is located in Bhopal.
- By road – The state of Madhya Pradesh has a well connected roadways system which easily connects the park to other major states and cities. The nearest bus stand from the park is situated in Panna which is linked quite well to Khajuraho.
Safari
Panna Tiger Reserve safari zones are as below
- Madla
- Hinouta
On a safari in Panna National Park, visiting the nearby spots of River Ken is a good idea for good wildlife sightings.
Weather and Climate
| MONTH | Minimum°C | Maximum°C |
| JAN | 4 | 18 |
| FEB | 12 | 30 |
| MAR | 18 | 38 |
| APR | 24 | 44 |
| MAY | 30 | 46 |
| JUN | 30 | 42 |
| JUL | 24 | 33 |
| AUG | 23 | 30 |
| SEPT | 23 | 34 |
| OCT | 20 | 38 |
| NOV | 18 | 34 |
| DEC | 8 | 29 |
Gallery
