Panna Tiger Reserve

The forests of Panna, with the Ken Gharial Sanctuary and adjoining territorial divisions, form a significant part of the catchment of the 406 km Ken river, which runs northeast for about 72 km through the park. The park sits where the forest belt that begins at Cape Comorin in the south finally breaks, and beyond it the Gangetic plains begin. This is the northernmost tip of the natural teak forests and the easternmost tip of the natural Kardhai or dhok forests. Panna's terrain is defined by dry deciduous forest that shifts from dense teak in the north to a teak and dhok mix in the east. These boundaries, shaped by the region's geology, create the corridors wildlife uses to move between the eastern and western Vindhyas. Tendu, mahua and salai are the other significant trees. The park holds tiger and leopard alongside chital, chinkara, nilgai, sambar and sloth bear, with wild dog, Indian wolf, striped hyena and several smaller cats also present. Sloth bears favour the rocky escarpments and secluded valleys. The grasslands and open ground on the periphery are used by nilgai and by chowsingha, the four-horned antelope. Sambar, the largest Indian deer, keep to the shaded woodland while chital graze the clearings. Panna is also a haven for birds, with over 200 recorded species and a strong migratory showing. White-necked stork, bar-headed goose, honey buzzard, blossom-headed parakeet, paradise flycatcher, slaty-headed scimitar babbler and five species of vulture are among the sightings. The migratory season is the most rewarding time for birdwatchers.

Panna lies in the Vindhyan ranges, and its climate follows the central Indian pattern with slightly drier summers than the reserves further south. Winter runs from November to February and is the most popular time to visit. Days are mild and sunny at 10 to 25°C, with cool mornings that make an open drive invigorating. The vegetation is dry by then, so visibility for wildlife is good. Summer runs from March to June. Temperatures climb past 40°C in May and June, and the Ken river becomes the focus of the whole reserve as animals concentrate along it. The monsoon lasts from July to September with around 1,100 mm of rain. The core zones close, the Ken rises considerably, and the gorge country is at its most dramatic.