National park · India
Panna National Park
Enter Panna National Park: pay ₹2000 per vehicle (half‑day) + ₹150 guide, arrive before 06:00 for tiger spotting, visit Oct–Mar, stay at Ken River Lodge.Enter Panna National Park: pay ₹2000 per vehicle (half‑day) + ₹150 guide, arrive before 6:00 AM for tiger spotting, visit Oct–Mar, stay at Ken River Lodge.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
543 km² (210 sq mi)210 sq mi (543 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 543 km² (210 sq mi)210 sq mi (543 km²)
- The park spans about 543 km² of mixed forest, grassland and riverine habitats along the Ken River.
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Panna National Park is a 543 km² tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, centred on the Ken River valley. It offers jeep safaris for tiger spotting, elephant rides, and riverside walks, with entry at Madla or Hinouta gates and accommodation nearby at Ken River Lodge.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1981.
Size and age
543 km² (210 sq mi)210 sq mi (543 km²) · national park since 1981
The park spans about 543 km² of mixed forest, grassland and riverine habitats along the Ken River.
Why go
- Tiger reserve with a chance to see tigers on a jeep safari.
- Scenic Ken River valley and wildlife.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarWarm, still dry.
- AprRising heat, occasional rain.
- MayHot, early monsoon.
- JunMonsoon, poor visibility.
- JulMonsoon.
- AugMonsoon.
- SepRain tapering.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tigerOct–Mar · Best sightings early morning. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolfOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Khajuraho airport
Taxi 30 min to Madla entry point (25 km (16 mi)).Taxi 30 min to Madla entry point (16 mi (25 km)).
0.5 h
Open the page →
From Panna town
Taxi or bus 20 km (12 mi) to Hinouta gate.Taxi or bus 12 mi (20 km) to Hinouta gate.
0.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Madla entry (Madla Gate) | Main visitor entrance, ticket office, jeep safari base. | Open with ticket. |
| Hinouta gate | Secondary entrance, access to eastern sector. | Open with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry (half‑day) | INR 2,000 (≈ US$25) | vehicle | Check for full‑day rate. |
| Compulsory guide | INR 150 (≈ US$2) | vehicle | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹2,000≈ US$25
- ₹150≈ US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Compulsory for all vehicle safaris.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside core reserve; use designated lodge.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ken River Lodge
Tree‑house style rooms on the riverbank.
Near the park
Panna town hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range options.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Roads to gates are paved; short walks from parking.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved guides; avoid littering.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Panna National Park?
₹2000 per vehicle for a half‑day safari plus ₹150 for the mandatory guide; full‑day rates may differ (check).
What are the best hikes in Panna National Park?
Short river walks near Ken River Lodge and the guided jeep safari routes; longer trekking requires a guide and is limited to park‑approved trails.
When is the best time to visit Panna National Park?
October to March offers cool, dry weather and higher tiger‑spotting chances.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted inside the core reserve; stay at nearby lodges.
Is an elephant ride included in the entry fee?
No, elephant rides are an extra activity with separate charges.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Panna National Park
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