The forest reserve in the Vindhyan Range that most Khajuraho visitors take as their day out of the temples.
Panna is situated in the Vindhyan Range and spreads over the Panna and Chhatarpur districts in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh. For visitors based at Khajuraho it is the standard change of pace: a forest and river landscape instead of carved sandstone, done as a day trip and back.
One of the most significant ecological aspects of the reserve is botanical rather than scenic. Panna district forms the northernmost boundary of the natural distribution of teak, and the eastern limit of teak and kardhai mixed forests. The reserve therefore sits at the edge of two forest types rather than in the middle of one.
Game drives run inside the reserve in the open vehicles licensed for it, with entry at set gates and timings fixed by the forest department. Permits and vehicles need to be arranged in advance rather than on arrival, and the morning drive is the longer and better one.
Because this is where teak reaches its natural northern edge and teak with kardhai its eastern edge, the woodland changes character noticeably as you move through it. Guides who know the forest will point out the transition, which is easy to miss otherwise.
Panna is visited from Khajuraho as a full day rather than an afternoon, and the arrangements are made before you set out.
The cool months from November to February are the pleasantest for a day out of Khajuraho. March to May is hot but the thinner cover and the water sources make wildlife easier to see. Reserve zones are usually closed during the monsoon, so confirm before planning around it.
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