Recommended & pending a personal visit by our travel writer

Taj Safaris’ new jungle safari lodge comprises a cluster of stone cottages huddled atop a small hill, with magnificent views over the forest and a large nearby waterhole, which has been host to numerous tiger and resident antelope sightings.

The dramatic slate roofs of Pashan Garh Panna Wilderness Lodge rise out of private jungle just 12 km (seven miles) from the entrance to Panna National Park. Inspired by the dry-packed stone architecture of the region, Pashan Garh is stony and rough hewn, with white marble and leather furniture to soften its stark lines.

A spacious central courtyard celebrates local Haveli design, with its sense of sanctuary and coolness.

The dramatic lines of the lodge create a theatre of jungle discovery and adventure, with constant reminders of the wilderness outside, like the massive black and white nature photo canvases that decorate the walls or the crocodile motifs that echo the inhabitants of the Ken River nearby.

One of India's smaller but well known reserves, Panna National Park is known for its wild cats, including leopard and other cat species. Wild dog, wolf, hyena and caracal all wander the park's large plateau. Sloth bear make their home among the rocky escarpments. The dense forests shelter the large sambar deer, as well as chital and chowsingha. Milgai and chinkara can be seen on the outskirts of the open grasslands.

The World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, with its 10th century Hindu temples and intricately carved erotic sculptures, lies within 50 km (31 miles) of Panna, an easy day trip for visitors to the park.