Panna NP

2 daysBest: Nov–AprForests#tiger#diamond#safari

Tiger reserve of the Ken gorge

Why this weekend?

Tiger sightingsKen riverDiamond mines

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The park
- Morning safari
- Ken stop
- Tower hour
- Overnight
Day 2 · The river
- Second safari
- Gharial deck
- Return

Geography & terrain

Panna National Park lies in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh, 130 km from Khajuraho and 230 km from Jhansi — the tiger park of the region, its Ken river, the safaris and the diamond country set on the Vindhya's ravines.

History & culture

The park's story runs with the 1981 tiger reserve — the Panna of the 1981 national park and the 1994 tiger reserve of the Ken's forests, with the park's modern role as the safari stop of the Bundelkhand circuit and the home of the 2009 tiger reintroduction and the Ken Gharial sanctuary; the park's history of the 2002 diamond mines and the 2015 award of the park's recovery, gives the park its tiger-river character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–3,500/night

Mid-range

₹3,500–7,000/night

Comfort

₹7,000+/night

Things to do

Tiger tracks
Ken rivers
Gharial hides
Safari mornings
Vindhya ravines

Eat & drink

Dal bafla
Poha jalebi
Bhopali murgh
Bhutte ka kees
Malpua with rabri

Getting there

Fly: Bhopal (BHO) / Indore (IDR)
Train: Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur junctions
Road from Bhopal: varies by district — 50–500 km
Getting around: Autos and city buses

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹10,000–18,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–7,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹2,500–2,900

Month by month

Jan · Best: 7–21°C · Light rain
Feb · Good: 10–25°C · Light rain
Mar · Good: 15–31°C · None rain
Apr · Hot: 21–38°C · None rain
May · Hot: 26–42°C · None rain
Jun · Pre-monsoon: 28–40°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 27–35°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 26–34°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon tail: 25–34°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Good: 18–33°C · Light rain
Nov · Best: 12–28°C · None rain
Dec · Best: 8–23°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Nov–Apr
Connectivity: good 4G in towns
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The safaris ask the park permits
The season (Nov–Apr) holds the sightings
The resorts ask the earlier bookings

Frequently asked questions

What is the Panna NP?

The tiger park of the Ken river.

What is there to do?

The safaris, the river and the wildlife.

How long is the visit?

Two days.