Famous for its diamond mines, Panna—a city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, has another lesser-known gem hidden in its rocky terrain—the Panna National Park. Spanning across 542 square kilometres, the national park is the twenty-second tiger reserve of India. It is the only large chunk of wildlife habitat in northern Madhya Pradesh. The Panna National Park has won the Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Tourism, India in 2007.
In the Indian epic—Mahabharata, it is said that the Pandava brothers, upon being exiled, visited the falls nearby the forest that is now the Panna National Park. The Pandav Falls and Caves make a beautiful spot where the pristine white-foam water flows to the nearby Ken River. Roam the lush landscapes on a Jeep safari and spot wildlife not just on the ground, but also up in the foliage of tall trees. The park’s fauna consists of species like the Tiger, Leopard, Nilgai, Sambar, Sloth bear, and more than 200 species of birds including the King Vulture and the Blossom-headed Parakeet. Some other avian species that can be found here are peregrine falcons, and peacocks. A boat-ride down the Ken River and you could be amidst the crocodiles. These ferocious reptiles can be found basking in the sun during winters.
The Panna National Park is relatively lesser known than others, which makes it an authentic experience of the wild. Pashan Garh—a Taj Safari is the best way to experience this abundance of wildlife at the Panna National Park.