Panna Tiger Reserve

TusharSuradkar · June 27, 2020, 2:18am

This was my first visit to one of the 50 tiger reserves of India.

Besides home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Panna Tiger Reserve is a land of mesmerizing waterfalls, natural and archaeological splendor, legends and cultural richness, and more importantly, the land of the Ken river, which lends it unparalleled beauty.

Situated in the Vindhyan mountain range in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh, Panna Tiger Reserve is spread over the Panna and Chhatarpur districts covering an area of 542.67 sq km. The terrain here consists of extensive plateaus and gorges forming an ideal home to other species the like Indian wolf, four-horned antelope, sloth bear pangolin, rusty spotted-cat, leopard, caracal, and gharial.

Panna National Park was formed in 1981. Parts of the protected forests that comprise the park were originally the hunting preserves of the former kingdoms of Panna, Chhatrpur, and Bijawar princely states.

Important Tips about the Safari

There are guided safaris available but these cannot be hired from the tiger reserve entrance. Instead, you should stop just before the bridge over the river and look on the left for a resort which sells tickets.

There is a board outside which mentions about the safari tickets. There is also a waiting place in the resort which is by the riverside and mesmerizing. The safari is available for six people so you need to team up with people and we paid a total of 3800 of which 1500 for the guide.

There are 50 tigers believed to be in the reserve but the area itself is 40 km x 40 km range so the chances of citing a tiger are 2 in 15 trips. There are other animals like plenty of deers and monkeys who are not mischievous like city living monkeys. The total duration of the safari is 45 km.

There are about 18-20 Maruti Gypsies that start at the same time and also a GPS tracking van which informs about tiger’s tracks who are radio-tagged. Of the 50 known tigers, only about 4 tigers are radio-tagged hence traceable. So overall good jungle safari.

How to Reach

The tiger reserve can be approached by road from either Delhi-Agra-Gwalior-Jhansi-Mauranipur-Chhatarpur of which the Jhasi-Chatarpur road is in a severely bad condition so it is advisable to take the route Jhansi-Tikamgarh-Chatarpur which is in very good condition.
From all other cities of MP or UP, the road is perhaps in a good condition as informed by fellow travelers.
Alternatively, you can take a direct flight from Delhi and Varanasi to Khajuraho and travel to Panna which is only 30 km away by road.

Accessibility Features

Ramp Access.

Wheelchair-accessible Entrance.

Wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.

Wheelchair-accessible Seating.

Wheelchair-accessible Parking.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of jungle resorts to stay beside the numerous hotels in and around the Khajuraho temples which are only 30 km away. Some of these are:

Nearby Attractions

While you are still around in the Panna Tiger Reserve, here are a few recommended places like:

Have you been to a tiger reserve of a national reserve for any other animal?
I’d be interested in knowing about your experiences.

Till Then… Happy Guiding

rizbab28 · June 27, 2020, 2:34am

Hi @TusharSuradkar

Quite informative and interesting post. The best place is to stay is the Forest Rest house at Karnavati Gate and that’s is the entry gate for Jungle Safaris to access the Core Zone. Morning chances are always high to spot the Tigers. Thanks for your great effort.

TusharSuradkar · June 27, 2020, 2:38am

Thanks, @rizbab28 Jee

I know you have been to the tiger reserve.

Did you take the safari? and spot the tiger?

You are spot on about the safari booking, what a roundabout way of accessing the safari
I took the morning safari, yet no tiger spotting

~Greetings from New Delhi

rizbab28 · June 27, 2020, 2:52am

Hi Brother,

@TusharSuradkar

I always love your spirit, it means that you were not taken to Core Zone and you have gone to the buffer zone. Otherwise I could spot two in the morning Safari and permit was obtained by paying online through mpforest. Same thing I noticed in Corbett also. Visitors were following the locals and they will just take you on jungle roads situated in Buffer zone and I was watching from my Car but I was helpless to guide those innocent visitors. There Core Zone Safari permits are for those who are staying in the Forest Rest house at Dhangarhi and that’s the major access. This is my personal observation and Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench etc you may find very thrilling though I liked Panna very much.

TusharSuradkar · June 27, 2020, 3:13am

Thanks for the insights @rizbab28

I was not at all aware of this. And most visitors are also not aware.

They told us that they were taking us to the core zone and we roamed around for about 2 hours.

But I am happy that you were able to spot the tigers in the core zone.

I will remember this for the next trip to Bandhavgarh.

Have you visited Bandhavgarh also? Any tips for there, my friend?
Thanks a lot…

~Greetings from New Delhi

JSharma · June 27, 2020, 3:19am

@TusharSuradkar Good morning and thanks to share these valuable information and pics

TusharSuradkar · June 27, 2020, 3:41am

Thanks @JSharma

~Greetings from New Delhi

rizbab28 · June 27, 2020, 3:50am

@TusharSuradkar

If you’re visiting Bandhavgarh then please stay at Maharaja Royal Retreat as this property belongs to Rewa Naresh. There Manager Mr. Anoop Singh Ji is there, give my reference you will be helped. And for Safari opt the Tala Gate open Canter is also available. There you can see numerous ancient monuments as Fort lies in this Reserve and it was the property of Rewa Naresh.

TusharSuradkar · June 27, 2020, 3:37pm

Thanks for the wonderful tips @rizbab28 , my friend.

I am going to try those during my next trip.

~Greetings from New Delhi