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Madhya Pradesh

Panna National Park

Ken river gorge, gharials and a tiger population rebuilt from zero

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Best time to visit Panna National Park

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to February
  • Shoulder: March to April and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: May to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryNovemberDecember

Panna National Park season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Nov-Feb is 8-27 C, the Ken runs clear over the gorge and boat rides put you level with gharial and mugger.

Summer March to May Shoulder

March-April is hot but productive; by May Bundelkhand hits 46 C and open jeeps at that temperature are punishing.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Core zones shut 1 Jul to 30 Sep and Bundelkhand's rain is heavy; nothing about the park is open or worth the trip.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Reopens 1 October into thick grass and poor visibility, but the Ken is full and Pandav Falls is at its best.

What Panna National Park is actually like

Quieter than Bandhavgarh with the same tigers; lodges cluster at Madla, and most people arrive from Khajuraho

Things to do in Panna National Park

The local places worth your time in and around Panna National Park, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Pandav Falls

    Waterfall · 12 km out

    Fall dropping into a green pool with caves cut behind it, off the Madla to Panna road; short stair down, and it dries up by May.

  • Raneh Falls

    Waterfall · 18 km out

    The Ken cutting a hundred foot canyon of pink and grey granite; forest ticket at the gate, and water only runs after the rains.

  • Ken Gharial Sanctuary

    Wildlife · 18 km out

    Sand banks at the Ken confluence next to Raneh where gharials and muggers haul out; a guard takes you the last stretch.

  • Shri Prannathji Temple

    Temple · 26 km out

    Gold domed shrine of the Pranami sect in Panna town, with its founder's samadhi inside; leave shoes at the gate, dress modestly.

  • Baldeo Ji Temple

    Temple · 26 km out

    Krishna temple in Panna town built in a European style under a big lantern dome, unlike anything else nearby; a five minute stop.

Getting to Panna National Park

Khajuraho airport and railhead 25 km to the Madla gate; buses from Panna town serve the Hinauta gate

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Doable solo with some planning
Altitude
391 m
State
Madhya Pradesh
Coordinates
24.6481, 80.0265

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Panna National Park?

November to February is peak season in Panna National Park. March to April and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid May to September. Reopens 1 October into thick grass and poor visibility, but the Ken is full and Pandav Falls is at its best.

How many days do you need in Panna National Park?

2 days is the usual stay. Quieter than Bandhavgarh with the same tigers; lodges cluster at Madla, and most people arrive from Khajuraho.

How do you get to Panna National Park?

Khajuraho airport and railhead 25 km to the Madla gate; buses from Panna town serve the Hinauta gate. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Panna National Park expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Doable solo with some planning.

What are the best things to do in Panna National Park?

Pandav Falls, Raneh Falls, Ken Gharial Sanctuary, Shri Prannathji Temple and Baldeo Ji Temple. Fall dropping into a green pool with caves cut behind it, off the Madla to Panna road; short stair down, and it dries up by May.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Madhya Pradesh

All 32 destinations in Madhya Pradesh