Panna Tiger Reserve — location and key facts
Panna Tiger Reserve sits in the Vindhya Hill ranges, characterized by extensive plateaus, gorges, ravines, and the Ken River flowing through it. The landscape combines dry teak forest, mixed deciduous forest, open grasslands, riverine habitat, and notable waterfalls. The reserve is also adjacent to Khajuraho — the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When is Panna Tiger Reserve open
• Open: October 15 to June 30
• Closed: July 1 to October 14, coinciding with the monsoon
• Weekly closure: Wednesday evening safari closed across all zones
Wildlife in Panna Tiger Reserve
Panna's tiger population was completely lost to poaching by 2009, then rebuilt through one of India's most cited tiger reintroduction programs.
Tigers in Panna Tiger Reserve
Panna's tiger population was declared locally extinct by 2009 after sustained poaching. A reintroduction program brought in tigers translocated specifically from Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench Tiger Reserves. The population has since recovered substantially. Today's tigers are concentrated in the core zones along the Ken River corridor.
Other mammals and birds in Panna Tiger Reserve
Leopard is frequently sighted in rocky terrain and deep forest patches across all zones. Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara, and Chowsingha are present throughout. Over 200 bird species have been recorded, including five species of vultures — one of the highest vulture concentrations in a single tiger reserve in India.
Safari zones in Panna Tiger Reserve
Panna Tiger Reserve has three safari zones — Madla, Hinouta, and Akola.
Zone: Madla
Dense dry teak forest, open grasslands, and riverine terrain. Highest tiger sighting frequency in the reserve. Pandava Falls and Pandava Cave are accessible from this zone. The oldest and most developed safari zone, with most of the reserve's accommodation nearby.
Zone: Hinouta
Rocky and dry terrain with gorges and ravines — ideal for spotting wild cats. Good tiger and leopard sighting. Dhudwa Falls is located within this zone. Limited accommodation compared to Madla.
Zone: Akola
Core zone and prime tiger habitat with good wildlife sighting opportunities. Limited accommodation and tourist infrastructure nearby.
Safari types and permits at Panna Tiger Reserve
Safari timings at Panna Tiger Reserve
Two safari sessions operate daily — morning and evening. Arrive at the gate at least 45 minutes before your scheduled entry time.
Oct 1 – Nov 30
Morning safari: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Evening safari: 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Dec 1 – Feb 28/29
Morning safari: 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Evening safari: 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Mar 1 – Apr 30
Morning safari: 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Evening safari: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
May 1 – Jun 30
Morning safari: 5:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Evening safari: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Safari types at Panna Tiger Reserve
• Jeep (Full Vehicle): 6-seat open jeep. Entire vehicle can be booked by a group.
• Jeep (Single Seat): Individual seat booking in a shared jeep. Guide and driver are shared across the vehicle.
• Canter (Single Seat): A 20-seat open vehicle with shared booking only. It is more economical per seat.
Guide is mandatory on every safari. Guide and vehicle charges are paid separately at the gate on safari day and are NOT included in the online permit fee.
How to book a Panna Tiger Reserve safari permit
All safari permits are booked through the official Madhya Pradesh Forest Department portal. There is no authorized alternative.
• Official Booking Portal: forest.mponline.gov.in
• Advance Booking: Opens daily at 11:00 AM for the date 120 days ahead.
• Premium Tatkal: Opens 7 days before safari date at 11:00 AM.
• Foreign National ID: Passport required at booking and at the gate.
Panna Tiger Reserve safari entry fees
Fees below are permit fees. Vehicle and guide charges are paid separately at the gate.
Full Vehicle — Core
• Normal date: ₹5,280 + Portal fees
• Premium date: ₹6,600 + Portal fees
Single Seat — Core
• Normal date: ₹880 + Portal fees
• Premium date: ₹1,100 + Portal fees
Full Vehicle — Buffer
₹1,320 + Portal fees
Premium dates — weekends and selected public holidays — apply to core zones only and carry a 25% surcharge. Buffer zone has no premium surcharge. Portal fees is approx. ₹50.
Panna Tiger Reserve safari cancellation policy
Cancellation allowed one day before safari date before 5:00 PM. The cancellation amount is calculated as per slab on department fees plus ₹100 cancellation charge.
• Premium Tatkal: no cancellation, reschedule, or add-on permitted under any circumstances
• Reschedule: cancellation after reschedule is not permitted
• Refund: no refund applies for cancellations due to weather, rain, or natural causes
All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.
Park rules at Panna Tiger Reserve
Safari conduct rules at Panna are enforced by the authorized guide assigned to every vehicle and apply to all visitors regardless of nationality.
• Wear earth-toned, neutral colors — khaki, olive, brown, or grey. White, red, and bright colors are not permitted.
• No musical instruments are permitted inside the protected area.
• Except for photography, mobile phone use is prohibited inside the protected area.
• Do not get down from the vehicle unless advised by the guide.
• Use of polythene is prohibited. Littering is prohibited.
• Tobacco, alcohol, arms, pets, and forest produce collection are prohibited.
• Do not tease, feed, or chase wild animals.
How to reach Panna Tiger Reserve
Khajuraho is the access city for Panna Tiger Reserve — Madla gate, the main entry point, is approx. 25 km from Khajuraho. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes and transport info below.
Panna Tiger Reserve Access City — Khajuraho
Rail Station: Khajuraho Railway Station (KURJ)
Airport: Khajuraho Airport (HJR)
Bus Terminal: Khajuraho Bus Stand
Travel to Khajuraho by train, flight, or bus and hire a taxi to Madla gate — approx. 25 km. Khajuraho Airport (HJR) has scheduled domestic services.
Frequently Asked Questions — Panna Tiger Reserve
All safari permits are booked through the official Madhya Pradesh Forest Department portal at forest.mponline.gov.in. Advance booking opens daily at 11:00 AM for the date 120 days ahead.
A Jeep is a 6-seat open vehicle, bookable as a full vehicle by a group or as a single seat in a shared jeep with the guide and driver shared across the vehicle. A Canter is a 20-seat open vehicle with shared booking only, more economical per seat than a jeep.
Madla is the oldest and most visited zone, with dense teak forest and the highest tiger sighting frequency in the reserve. Hinouta has rocky, dry terrain with gorges and ravines well suited to spotting wild cats. Akola offers good wildlife sighting opportunities but has limited accommodation and tourist infrastructure nearby.
No. Panna closes from July 1 to October 14 each year, coinciding with the monsoon. The park reopens for the safari season on October 15 and remains open through June 30.
If no other traveler is allocated to the remaining seats in a shared Single Seat jeep booking, the booked passenger may become liable for the full vehicle and guide cost at the gate. This is standard practice across Madhya Pradesh's tiger reserves.
₹5,280 for a full vehicle in the core zone on a normal date, rising to ₹6,600 on a premium date (weekends and selected public holidays). A single seat in the core zone costs ₹880 (normal) or ₹1,100 (premium). A full vehicle in the buffer zone costs ₹1,320. Portal fees of approx. ₹50 apply on top of all permit fees, and vehicle and guide charges are paid separately at the gate.
Yes, up to one day before the safari date, before 5:00 PM. The refund is calculated against the department fee slab, minus a ₹100 cancellation charge. Tatkal bookings cannot be cancelled, rescheduled, or modified under any circumstances, and no refund applies for cancellations due to weather or natural causes.
Khajuraho is the access city, with Madla gate approx. 25 km away. Khajuraho has its own railway station (KURJ), airport (HJR) with scheduled domestic services, and bus stand, making it well connected for both flights and trains.
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