About Panna National Park

Panna National Park, situated in the Vindhya mountain ranges of Madhya Pradesh, is renowned for its breathtaking wilderness, crystal-clear waterfalls, deep gorges, and the beautiful Ken River that flows through the reserve. The park is spread across 542 sq. km and is home to the majestic Bengal Tiger, making it one of India’s most treasured tiger reserves.

Known for one of the world’s most successful tiger reintroduction programs, Panna has transformed from near extinction to a thriving habitat of big cats. Apart from tigers, the reserve shelters leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, hyenas, chital, sambhar, nilgai, and more than 200 species of birds.

The blend of rugged cliffs, teak forests, serene river islands, and untouched natural beauty attracts wildlife lovers, photographers, nature enthusiasts, and adventure seekers from across the world. Whether it’s a jungle safari, nature walk, boat ride, or bird watching, Panna offers an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Panna National Park

Flora of Panna National Park

The flora of Panna National Park is a rich blend of dry deciduous forests, riverine vegetation, and grassland ecosystems that collectively support an extraordinary range of wildlife. Dominated by teak (Tectona grandis), the forests display a classic central Indian woodland character, with tall, straight teak trees forming dense green canopies during the monsoon and shedding leaves gracefully in winter.

Along with teak, the park is home to a variety of important tree species such as kardhai, mahua, tendu, saja, bija, bel, gurjan, jamun, and arjun, each playing a vital ecological role. The undulating terrain is adorned with shrubs like karonda, ber, palash, bamboo clumps, and medicinal plants that thrive in the rocky soils and plateaus of the Vindhyan landscape.

The Ken River and its tributaries nourish lush riverine belts filled with reeds, tall grasses, and flowering plants, creating ideal habitats for numerous herbivores and bird species. Seasonal grasses and wild flowering plants carpet the forest floor after the monsoon, adding vibrant colors to the landscape.

This diverse vegetation not only enriches Panna’s scenic beauty but also provides essential food, shelter, and breeding grounds for tigers, deer, birds, and countless smaller species, making the park a biologically dynamic and ecologically significant reserve.

Fauna of Panna National Park

The fauna of Panna National Park represents the vibrant wildlife diversity of central India, thriving across its rugged plateaus, deep gorges, teak forests, and riverine landscapes. The park is home to the majestic Bengal tiger, whose successful reintroduction has become a global conservation model. Alongside tigers, Panna shelters leopards, Indian wild dogs (dholes), hyenas, sloth bears, jungle cats, and rusty-spotted cats, forming a strong predator population.

Herbivores are abundant and include chitals, sambars, nilgai, chausingha, chinkara, wild boars, and langurs, which are commonly seen grazing or moving through the forest. The Ken River adds a rich aquatic ecosystem that supports gharial, marsh crocodile, soft-shell turtles, and several fish species.

Panna is also a paradise for birdwatchers, hosting over 200 bird species, including Indian vultures, crested serpent eagles, paradise flycatchers, owl species, kingfishers, and migratory birds that visit seasonally. Reptiles such as monitor lizards, pythons, cobras, and various smaller snakes also inhabit the region.

This diverse assortment of mammals, birds, reptiles, and aquatic life makes Panna National Park a biologically rich and ecologically important wildlife haven.

Famous Tigers of Panna

Meet the iconic tigers of Panna Tiger Reserve.

T-1
T-1
T-2
T-2
T-3
T-3
T-4
T-4
T-5
T-5
P-621 Mr. India
P-621 (Mr. India)
T-141
T-141 / P-141
P-151
P-151

More About Panna National Park

Explore the wildlife, landscapes, and natural beauty of Panna.

Panna National Park is known for its stunning forest landscapes, deep gorges, sparkling waterfalls, and the serene Ken River. It is home to tigers, leopards, gharials, sloth bears, and over 200 species of birds.

The park is also famous for its successful Tiger Relocation Project, making Panna one of India's greatest conservation success stories. Nature lovers and adventure seekers visit Panna for safari tours, river boating, bird watching, and breathtaking cliff viewpoints.

Surrounded by waterfalls like Raneh and Pandav Falls, along with the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho Temples nearby, Panna offers the perfect mix of wildlife, nature, and culture.