Pench National Park

Pench National Park is situated in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara in the central state of Madhya Pradesh in India. One of India’s most well-known wildlife sanctuaries is Pench National Park, named after the pristine River Pence that runs through the park. Covering an extensive area of around 400 square kilometers, Pench National Park is a sprawling wilderness that hosts various wildlife and plant species. It’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Pench National Park provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of nature, discover a rich variety of wildlife, and experience history.

Quick Fact

Priyadarshini Pench National Park and Mowgli Pench Sanctuary are located on either side of Pench National Park, which covers an area of 758 square kilometers. The national park’s buffer zone covers the remaining 464 square kilometers of land.

History of Pench National Park

The history of Pench National Park is mesmerizing. The Ain-i-Akbari (Constitution of Akbar), a 16th-century text by Abu’l-Fazl ibn Mubarak (the Emperor Akbar’s vizier), records the Akbar’s administration empire and depicts its grandeur and natural abundance.

Pench inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the well-known “The Jungle Book.” Above notably, the BBC television series “Spy in the Jungle” part 3 special, “Tiger,” which was based on the development of four tigers in Pench, was also filmed there.

Flora and Fauna of Pench National Park

Due to the mixed forest and high rainfall levels, the park is covered in stretches of Sal trees. More than 1200 plant species, many uncommon and endangered, have been identified in Pench. Moyan, Mahua, Mokha, Skiras, Tendu, Bija, Achar, Garari, Aonla, Ghost, Baranga, Aonla, Khair, Bhirra Palas, Skiras, and Kihamali are a few of the frequently encountered plants in this area.

Pench is home to several endangered species and has remarkably diverse wildlife. Tiger is in charge of this jungle. The forest is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including tigers, chital, sambar deer, nilgai, wild boar, jackal, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, porcupine, jungle cat, fox, black-naped hares, striped hyenas, Gaur, mouse deer, choosing, langurs, rhesus monkeys, and flying squirrels.

Places to Visit Near Pench National Park

Even though Pench National Park is renowned for its wilderness, you might be astounded to know that it also has some of Madhya Pradesh’s beautiful places. Below are some of Pench’s most popular tourist destinations:

  • Pachdhar Potter’s Village: Pachdhar Village, peculiar to the state of Madhya Pradesh, is situated in the Kurai Tehsil. The town is populated by potters who use their hands to make beautiful objects from black soil. You can purchase any of their adorable products for your home or for the people you love.
  • Kohka Lake: Kohka Lake is situated in the Madhya Pradesh town of Khoka and is very close to the Pench National Park Turia zone. Try to visit the lake at sunset to experience its genuine splendor. Although you can travel there in a hired jeep, cycling or trekking are the most enjoyable ways to get there.
  • Totladoh Dam: Even though this dam is only about 55 kilometers from Pench National Park, every traveler must visit here. It is one of Maharashtra’s most significant dams and produces 160 MW of electricity. Moreover, the stunning natural wonder of the area surrounding the dam will astound you.
  • Jabalpur: Jabalpur’s wide variety of attractions is likely to astound you. It has something for everyone, from ancient buildings that remind of the city’s imperial past to some of nature’s most stunning sights. Some prominent attractions in Jabalpur include Dhuandhar Falls, Marble Rocks, Madan Mahal Fort, Balancing Rocks, Bargi Dam, Chausath Yogini Temple, Lord Shiva Statue, Sangram Sagar Lake, etc. Additionally, the city is well known for its durry designs, a type of handcrafted cotton and wool carpeting.
  • Khekranala: Khekranala is a little town tucked away in the Khapa range’s lush vegetation, making it the ideal spot for nature lovers. Khekranala has developed into a well-known quirky location next to Pench National Park, attracting many locals and tourists looking for tranquility amid the chaos of their lives. The region is an excellent place for hiking and has a sizable lake.

Safari in Pench National Park

Jeep Safari

Jeep Safari in Pench National Park is one of the preferable modes, and it has many advantages. This 4X4 vehicle has 6 seat availability and is open from all sides for close encounters with wildlife. One of the best things about a jeep is it gives you smooth movement on safari trails. The jungle has narrow, rough, rocky, marshy routes.

Safari Timings

  • Morning- 6.30 AM – 11 AM
  • Evening- 3 PM – 5 PM

Canter Safari

Canter is an open bus with 18-seat availability and is designed to accommodate more tourists at a low cost. As we know, a Jeep safari is more costly than a canter, and sometimes all bookings are made rapidly. Thus, to enjoy the wildlife tour, Canter Safari is the ideal time as it is affordable and lets you enjoy the tour with its advantages. Furthermore, through this safari type of Pench, you can explore the economic section of wildlife conservation.

Therefore, you can choose a canter to explore the best and all possible safari destinations. If you want a bit more security while enjoying the safari tour, canter is an ideal choice. The height of the canter is larger than the jeep and gives you comfort.

Safari Timings

  • Morning- 7.30 AM – 11 AM
  • Evening- 3 PM – 5 PM

Elephant Safari

You will rarely find any tourists enjoying elephant safari in Pench because elephants are found in jungles and brought from other states. You will have to submit a written application for a request (1-15 days in advance) to enjoy the elephant safari. The Field Director of Pench National Park will allow one or two elephant rides. There are types of elephant safari in this national park: Joy ride (1 hour) and Filmmaking (around 3 hours). In short, elephant rides are very costly but give you a unique experience.

Safari Timings

  • Check from the official site.

Pench Zones & Gates

Pench National Park is divided into various zones accessible through different entry gates. These zones offer diverse wildlife experiences and help manage visitor flow in the park.

Core zone

The Turia, Karmajheri, and Jamtara gates—are located in Pench’s Core Zone. Around 257 square kilometers of the core region in Maharashtra were designated as a Tiger Reserve in 1999. There are a few gates on the Maharashtra side of Pench, with Sillari and Khursapar being popular with tourists. Saleghat, Kolitmara, Chorbahuli, and Surewani are more gates.

Buffer Zone

The 465 square kilometer buffer zone comprises 30 square kilometers of revenue land, 102 square kilometers of reserve forests, and 333 square kilometers of reserve forests. Touria, Karmajhiri, and Jhamtara are its renowned gateway gates in Madhya Pradesh.

Similar entrance gates include Khursapar, Sillari, and others from Maharashtra. In addition, numerous tanks have been drilled to give the park’s animals a reliable water source.

Turia Gate

The Turia Gate in the Core Zone is the most well-known of all the gates. In this zone, tiger sightings are the most common. Near NH7 and almost on the border between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra is Turia Gate. This forest area leads to a well-known Baginnalla waterhole and features mixed vegetation, scrublands, minor streams, and Acacia Catechu as its dominant species.

Karmajhiri Gate Rukhad Buffer

There are additional forest rest homes at this gate, which are less crowded and have fewer accommodations. At this entrance are also some forest rest homes. Since most of the region was utilized for timber production before becoming a tiger reserve, this forest area is primarily covered with teak trees.

The left road from the first intersection leads to Bodhanalla (Bodha means male Gaur, and nalla means stream in the local Gond tribe’s language), which is covered in bamboo plantations and noted for seeing Guard, Sambars, and if you’re fortunate, barking deer.

Jamtara Gate

The park’s third entrance provides access to a smaller portion of the grounds for exploration. From Chendia ghat, one has the option of transferring to other zones. When the river is dry, one can leave Chendia Ghat and travel to the Alikatta breakfast location. Less is known about the region and the road leading there. This location has camel foot climbers, shindooris, and banyan trees. Additionally, sloth bear sightings are common there.

Rukhad Buffer

This region is hilly. For Pench and Kanha, Rukhad is also a critical tiger corridor. In this buffer, visitors can go on a Jeep safari when one is staying close to the Karmajhiri gate.

The vegetation in this location is damp because it is in a steep environment. With many butterflies, flowing streams, Jamun, Arjun, and Bamboo trees. For Pench and Kanha, Rukhad is also a critical Tiger corridor. Tiger sightings have increased in Rukhad since the construction of the recently elevated roadway, with multiple wildlife crossings planned between this corridor.

Khwasa Buffer

Visitors can go on a night safari in this area, also known as the Wolf Sanctuary. Animals like wolves, foxes, porcupines, and owls love the area’s open woodland forest, which is most of the terrain. When one is moving toward the Turia gate, this has a better approach.

Telia Buffer

Another significant buffer zone of the Pench National Park is the Telia Tourism Zone, primarily known for wolf sightings. The Black Panther and Melanistic Leopard Observations are abundant in this new buffer tourism zone. In addition to leopard sightings, you may also enjoy seeing Barking Deer, Chowsingha, and Blue-Bell Antelope. Telia Tourism Zone is easily accessible since it is only 4 kilometers from Turia Gate and 11 kilometers from Khawasa Buffer Gate.

Resorts at Pench National Park

Accommodations are undoubtedly one of the many considerations a traveler has when organizing a trip to Pench. Additionally, travelers will be completely surprised by the range of hotels and resorts spread across Pench. With a wealth of excellent facilities and amenities, these resorts and hotels are the ideal settings for unwinding after a long period. The list of the top places to stay in Pench is available in this section.

  • Baghvan – A Taj Safari Lodge
  • Pench Tree Lodge
  • Jamtara Resort
  • Tiger and Woods Resort
  • Pench Jungle Camp Resort
  • Mahua Vann Resort
  • Tuli Tiger Corridor Resort
  • Welcome Heritage Jungle Home Resort
  • Village Machaan Resort
  • Tathastu Resort
  • Vanraj Resort and Spa

 

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    BEST TIME TO VISIT PENCH NATIONAL PARK

    SUMMER SEASON

    (April to June)

    The vegetation begins to lose its original hue in April. The possibility of seeing tigers doubles from April to May since the grass dries up and less water is available due to the intense heat. As a result, there is a higher chance of sighting these animals near surviving water supplies. Heat can make the weather unbearable, and few tourists travel during this time. In addition, the wet season will start at this point, making safari challenging.

    MONSOON SEASON

    (July to September)

    This region’s monsoon season begins during the first week of July. This is the animal breeding season, and the sanctuary receives moderate to heavy rainfall. Soft rain showers, however, can quickly develop into powerful storms. As a result, during the rainy season, the park region in Madhya Pradesh is closed (July-September). Nevertheless, the park is most stunning, and following the monsoon season, the sanctuary turns lush green to reopen to visitors in October.

    WINTER SEASON

    (October to March)

    Since there are fewer visitors during this time, it is possible to visit the park. The primary visitor season is between October and March, when the weather is most agreeable. However, it could be chilly in the mornings and nights, particularly in December and January. It could get quite cold, and there will be frost, so you should pack a bit extra warm gear.

    HOW TO REACH PENCH NATIONAL PARK

     
    By Flight
    By Train
    By Road
    Wildlife enthusiasts can easily get to Pench National Park by air. Catch a flight to Jabalpur Airport in Madhya Pradesh, 5 hours from Pench National Park. Else, take a flight to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Maharashtra, located just 3 hours from the national park. If coming by air to Pench National Park, tourists prefer the airport in Maharashtra as it is connected with domestic and international flights. To cover the distance further, you can take a cab or taxi from the airport for a comfortable journey to Pench National Park.
    The nearest train station to Pench National Park is Seoni Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh. It is located about 80 kilometers away from Pench National Park. The station provides excellent connectivity from major Indian cities by operating trains frequently. 

    Another choice is the Jabalpur Railway Station, about 224 kilometers from Pench. Nagpur is a different destination for travelers and one of the central train hubs. From Pench, Nagpur Railway Station is around 76 kilometers away. Using cabs at any of these stations facilitates travel to Pench National Park.

    Pench National Park is close to Nagpur and is easily reachable by road, train, and air from all across the nation because National Highway 7 passes through it. Varanasi and Kanyakumari are connected by National Highway 7, and adjacent cities like Chhindwara, Nagpur, Jabalpur, and Raipur make it simple to reach the national park. The closest town to Pench is Seoni, which is 81 kilometers away. Pench is located 228 kilometers from Jabalpur, 78 kilometers from Nagpur, and 75 kilometers from Chhindwara.

    The largest city near Pench in Nagpur, which has excellent road access to India’s main cities. State buses and privately rented cars are easily accessible to Pench from all these cities.

    TIPS FOR PENCH NATIONAL PARK

    • Planning your wildlife tour with a professional is advised. Also, use a guide provided by the trip organizer.
    • The park is closed on holidays like Holi and Diwali and also in monsoon season. 
    • There is a higher likelihood of seeing a tiger or wild cat on an elephant safari.
    • Go on an evening safari to increase your chances of seeing the animals.
    • In the rainforests, network coverage and connectivity are low. Therefore, avoid relying on phones or mobile devices, particularly for crucial matters, while on a jungle safari.
    • Flashy (vibrant colored clothes) attire is strictly prohibited. Instead, put on relaxing, softened colors. Choose comfortable, well-fitting clothing whenever possible.
    • Private vehicles are not allowed inside the national park’s gates. Therefore park them in the designated parking area.

    FAQs

    What is the best time to visit Pench National Park?

    Winter is the ideal time to visit Pench National Park because the weather is still mild and peaceful for a safari among the park’s fauna. From November to February, the temperature drops to a minimum of 1°C per day and reaches a maximum of 5°C.

    Which is the closest airport to Pench National Park?

    The closest airport is Nagpur, around 85 kilometers away. Another option is to travel to Jabalpur, about 228 kilometers from Pench. Compared to Jabalpur, Nagpur’s international airport has more flight options.

    How many zones are there in Pench National Park?

    There are seven zones in Pench National Park: Turia, Karmajhiri, Jamtara, Rukhad, Wolf Sanctuary, Sillari, and Khursapar.

    Which Pench National Park gate is famous for viewing tigers?

    Tourists choose Turia Gate for a safari ride for tiger sightings in Pench National Park.

    How many days are required to explore Pench National Park?

    Two days are more than sufficient to enjoy the Pench National Park trip.