Panna National Park
Overview - Panna National Park
Panna, a well known destination worldwide is known for its Diamond. Since 1981, people grew extensively aware of Panna, but from a different perspective, wildlife. This beautiful park is situated in the Vindhyas, and on the banks of Ken river, spreading its expanse over the Panna and Chhatarpur districts, north of Madhya Pradesh. The river is home to Ghariyals and Mugger, along with other aquatic fauna. It is also believed to be one of the least polluted river tributaries of Yamuna. Truly the lifeline of the reserve, Ken offers some of the most pleasing panoramic view for a good 55 kms, through the reserve.
Panna is known to be rich in avifauna as well as for the royal bengal tiger safari. It is one of the best parks for bird watchers. When one starts their morning in dead silence and enters the park to birds chirping everywhere, you know you’re going to have a good day sighting the color wings. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (also the State Bird of Madhya Pradesh), one of the most pristine looking birds, is most commonly found in Panna. However, the park is not only made of pretty birds. The Vulture has made its presence known in Panna too. Amidst the beautiful gorges of Panna Reserve, these vultures have made the best nesting and roosting areas for themselves. Some cliffs might be more populated than the others, with more than a 100 vultures cawing together.
Other avifauna in the area include: Painted Sangrouse, Great Thicknee, Bar Headed Goose, Honey Buzzard, Blossom Headed Parakeet, Changeable Hawk Eagle and many more. The Ken attracts lots of water birds throughout the year, and as winter approaches, the migratory birds make Panna their home. Once summer hits again, huge flocks of Cormorants perch themselves pretty around the river.
The best time to visit Panna is from October to April, when the climate averages a pleasant temperature of 30 Degree Celsius.
Highlight Species - Panna National Park
- Rufous Woodpecker
- Himalayan Vulture
- Chestnut-bellied Sandgrousr
- Eurasian Thicknee
- Rlittle Ringed Plover
- Blossom Headed Parakeet
- Bar-headed Goose
- Oriental Honey Buzzard
- White-necked Stork
- Great Cormorant
- Great Thicknee
- India Scimiter Babbler
- White-necked Stork
- Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark
- Yellow-crowned Woodpecker
- Spangaled Drongo
- Golden-fronted Leafbird
- Common Iora
- Tawny-bellied Babbler
- Indian Paradise Flycatcher
- White-rumped Vulture
- Grey Francolin
- Painted Spurfowl
- Little Grebe
- Common Sandpiper
- Indian Courser
- River Tern
- Black-winged Kite
- Brown Fish Owl
- Indian Grey Hornbill
Types of Safaris - Panna National Park
Jeep Safaris, Walking Safaris and Boat Safaris : Best experienced through jeep, walking safari and Boat Safari. A memorable ride on Ken River helps the tourists witness the beauty of the Panna National Park by keeping a sharp eye on the migratory birds and amphibians. Even though the boat safari can be enjoyed at any time of the day, it is highly recommended to go for the dusk safari with an expert naturalist in tow.
How to reach Panna National Park
By Air : Nearest airport to Panna National Park is Khajuraho (45 km).The airport is well connected to major cities in the country like New Delhi and Mumbai.
By Train : The nearest railway stations to the park are Satna and Khajuraho which are directly linked to major towns in the country like Bhopal, Jabalpur and Delhi. The distance between Panna to Satna and Khajuraho is only about 70 km and 45 km respectively.
By Road : Pench is connected to major towns in Madhya Pradesh, that can be travelled to by air or by train.
1. Khajuraho: At metre distance of 45 km is just around an hour drive from the park.
2. Satna: At metre distance of 70 km is just around an hour and a half drive from the park.
3. Jabalpur: At metre distance of 210 km is around 05-hour drive from the park.
4. Bhopal: At metre distance of 450 km is around 08-hour drive from the park.
