Most people plan a Panna trip around the safari and treat everything else as filler. That's a mistake — any list of a genuine place to visit in Panna runs well beyond the reserve gates, and includes a canyon that geologists call the Grand Canyon of India, Here's where to go once you've had your safaris.
1. Raneh Falls
The Ken River has carved a five-kilometre canyon through crystalline granite here, cutting down roughly 30 metres and exposing rock in shades of pink, red and grey that most visitors don't expect to find in central India. Several waterfalls run through the canyon year-round, with more appearing seasonally during and immediately post the monsoon. It's around 20 kilometres from Khajuraho and easily combined with a half-day out from Panna National Park.
2. Pandav Falls and Caves
A 30-metre waterfall drops into a pool ringed by ancient caves, and local legend places the Pandavas of the Mahabharata here during part of their exile. Getting down to the falls means a flight of around 200 steps, which puts some visitors off, but the walk back up in the late afternoon light is part of what makes the spot memorable rather than a chore.
3. Kalinjar Fort
About 58 kilometres from Panna, on a hilltop rising 244 metres above the surrounding plains, sits one of central India's most fought-over forts. Built by the Chandela dynasty in the 10th century, Kalinjar was considered nearly impossible to take — Mahmud of Ghazni failed to capture it, and only the Mughal emperor Babur ever managed to in 1526. Sher Shah Suri died during his own siege of it in 1545. The fort later became part of the Panna kingdom itself under Raja Hardeo Shah, and today its Neelkanth Temple, carved with a giant Shiva statue, is the main draw for visitors making the trip out.
4. The Khajuraho Temples
About 10 minutes from Khajuraho airport and train station and a 30 minutes drive from Panna National Park sits one of India's more famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites — a group of 10th and 11th-century temples known for their intricate stone carving. Even a half-day here with one of our English speaking experienced guides, paired with your safaris, rounds out a Panna trip with something entirely different in tone from the forest.
5. Ajaygarh Fort
A hilltop fort with a long climb and a view over the surrounding plateau that makes the effort worthwhile on a clear day. It's less visited than the temples or the falls, which for some travellers is exactly the appeal — you'll likely have the ramparts largely to yourself.
Fitting It All In
Two or three of these are realistic to add around a standard Panna safari itinerary without rushing either the wildlife or the sightseeing. At 47 Safaris, we build these into your itinerary alongside your safaris rather than as an afterthought, with transfers and timing worked out so you're not racing between stops. Get in touch and we'll put together a plan that covers both sides of what Panna has to offer.
The tiger reserve gets top billing for good reason, but if you're looking for another place to visit in Panna beyond the jeep tracks, a trip built entirely around the safari misses half of what the district actually has to offer.
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