Safari at Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh

The only broad-leaf forest situated in North Western Madhya Pradesh is a veritable paradise on earth. Bottomless ravines, grasslands, and dense teak forests define this tiger landscape. After the complete extinction of tigers and poachers perhaps in connivance with forest guard the population of big cats was completely wiped out.

Amazing conservative initiatives there are now more than 28 tigers in the park. The safari has begun and the big cat sightings are good. The terrain is now recovered and wild animals too have made a comeback with improvement in the ecosystem. 

Panna is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Nilgai, wolf, hyena, and many other animals. It is rich in birdlife including the Himalayan vultures, white-backed vultures, Egyptian vultures, long-billed vultures, and the Monk Vulture. Among other bird species, the tiger reserve is home to Shama, verditor flycatcher, orange-headed ground thrush, grey hornbill, Oriental pied hornbill, black-naped monarch, and more.

Panna National Park

Ensconced in Vindiyan Hill Range it becomes contiguous with the Satpura Range at Mailkal Hills. Kanha and Achanakmar also meet here. The area of the park is 542.67 sq. Km. Along with Ken River Sanctuary forms a catchment area for the Ken River which is the park's lifeline. The river system is home to marsh crocodiles and the gharial besides many other aquatic forms of life. 

The National Park and surrounding forest are the only remaining chunks of broad-leaf forests in North Western Madhya Pradesh. These are the only forests home to wild animals rest of the area is barren.

The destination was declared a tiger reserve in 1994/5. Most of all rather all the big cats have been translocated which has been a great success.

Safari at Panna National Park

Tourism is organized twice a day one at the start of the dawn and the other in the evening at dusk. The park is divided into tourism zones in twenty percent of the core area of the park. To avail of game rides one needs a permit. This permit fortiger safari permit at Panna is obtained at MPOnline an MP Government Portal. You can also avail permit at the gate if available. My advice is to book online as there is a rush and you may be left out.

Panna is only 26 km from Khajuraho Airpot and that is the best way to reach the National Park from New Delhi.