Unlike the more populous tiger parks, Panna is lesser known meaning the wildlife is largely undisturbed and the activities, unique. While tigers are the main attraction, quieter landscapes mean you can enjoy peaceful boat rides along the river, authentic glimpses into rural village life and underrated wildlife from shaggy sloth bears to beautiful paradise fly catchers. Panna is one of the less busy but no less wonderful wildlife destinations in India…
Central India has always been high up on the list of wildlife destinations because you have a large number of tigers and national parks. The wonderful thing though about Panna Tiger Reserve is it’s one of the less crowded. In places like Kanha National Park, you must book ahead to reserve a safari because it tends to get fully booked whereas here, even if guests haven’t planned a safari, we can usually organise an outing last minute.
The entrance to the reserve is just 1.5 kilometres away from the lodges and all our game drives are done in open-air jeeps. It’s a stunning park with very different landscape. As well as the river there’s three precipices with escarpments in between so it’s quite hilly. Once you’re on that higher level you get fantastic views across the river and over a mix of rocky outcrops, grassland, scrubland and thick forest. Every corner you turn there’s a different view. All guests will appreciate this diverse landscape that changes every few minutes on the drive.
Royal Bengal tigers are the obvious attraction although never guaranteed. You could be lucky enough to see a serpent eagle catching a snake or a leopard taking down a deer. Guests see amazing things all the time, that are not necessarily carnivores. You may spot long-tailed langur monkeys, antelopes, sambar deer, sloth bears, also birds like king vultures and beautiful paradise flycatchers You may be lucky enough yo se a porcupine!
Please ask for more information about how we can incorporate Panna National Park in your next Indian itinerary.
