Pench National Park

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Ideal duration: 1 day

Best Time: October to June Read More

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Also Refered As:

Pench Tiger Reserve

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"Tiger reserve straddling Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra"

Pench National Park Tourism

Pench National Park, nestled in the southern reaches of Madhya Pradesh, India, boasts a rich biodiversity and fascinating landscapes that inspired Rudyard Kipling's classic, "The Jungle Book." The park extends over Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, covering an expanse of about 1100 square kilometers. Renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, Pench National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Pench National Park is home to a plethora of wildlife species, including the majestic Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Indian wild dog (dhole), sloth bear, Indian gaur (bison), and various deer species such as spotted deer (chital) and sambar. Avian enthusiasts can revel in spotting over 285 bird species, including the crested serpent eagle, Malabar pied hornbill, and Indian pitta, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. 

Pench offers enthralling jeep safari experiences, allowing visitors to explore the park's diverse habitats and wildlife. Apart from wildlife safaris, it offers a serene environment for nature walks and birdwatching. The Pench National Park is open to visitors from 1st October to 30th June. It remains closed during the monsoon season from July to September.

Pench National Park Safari Cost:
Weekdays - INR 7500/Jeep (Indian), Weekends - INR 8500/Jeep (Indian)
Weekdays - INR 12000/Jeep (Foreigner), Weekends - INR 18000/Jeep (Foreigner)
Maximum 6 Persons & 2 children (b/w - 5 years) are allowed in ONE Jeep

Sharing Safari in Pench National Park:
Weekdays - INR 2000/Seat (Indian), Weekends - INR 2300/Seat (Indian)
Weekdays - INR 3000/Seat (Foreigner), Weekends - INR 4000/Seat (Foreigner)

Entrance Gates to Pench National Park: 
In Pench National Park, there are six entry gates providing access to different zones within the park. These gates are distributed across both the Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra sides of the park. Out of 6 gates, 3 gates are in core zone and 3 are in buffer zone.
1. Turia Gate: Located in the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, Turia Gate is a primary entry point providing access to the core zone of Pench National Park.
2. Karmajhiri Gate: Positioned on the Maharashtra side, the Karmajhiri Gate grants entry to the Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. It allows access to a specific area of the park from the Maharashtra side.
3. Silari Gate: Another entry point in Maharashtra, Silari Gate provides access to the reserve and is utilized for wildlife excursions within Pench National Park.
Apart from these major gates, other entry points are Jhamtara, Khursapar, and Chorbahuli, which exist for administrative purposes or specific zones within the park only. Irrespective of the gate you enter from, the jeep safari covers all the zones of the park

Things to do in Pench National Park

1. Night Safari

Night Safari
Night Safari in the buffer zones of Pench National Park is a unique experience, available exclusively in the Wolf Sanctuary area, which includes the Rukhad and Khawasa zones. Running typically from 5: (Read More)30 PM to 8:30 PM (subject to seasonal changes), this safari offers a rare chance to witness nocturnal wildlife activity. Though the probability of spotting tigers is low, it's ideal for those seeking to experience the jungle’s atmosphere after dark. The safari is open year-round and costs ₹9500 per jeep, which includes the vehicle, permit, and guide for up to six people. Due to its exclusive nature, only three vehicles are permitted each evening, making advance booking essential.

2. Jungle Safari in Madhya Pradesh Side (Seoni District)

Jungle Safari in Madhya Pradesh Side (Seoni District)
The Madhya Pradesh side of Pench National Park, located in Seoni District, offers diverse jungle safari experiences across core and buffer zones. The Turia Zone is the most visited, known for high cha (Read More)nces of tiger sightings, rich birdlife, and open landscapes ideal for photography. The Karmajhiri Zone offers a quieter, less commercial experience with good wildlife density and a raw forest vibe. Jamtara Zone features dense forests and scenic beauty with fewer crowds, making it perfect for peaceful safaris. The Rukhad Buffer Zone, though less known, offers great opportunities for offbeat wildlife encounters and is gaining popularity among seasoned wildlife enthusiasts.

3. Jungle Safari in Maharashtra Side (Nagpur District)

Jungle Safari in Maharashtra Side (Nagpur District)
The Maharashtra side of Pench National Park, located in Nagpur District, offers well-managed safari zones with rich wildlife. The Sillari Zone is among the most popular due to its easy accessibility, (Read More)accommodation options, and frequent sightings of tigers and leopards. Zones like Nagalwadi, Chorbahuli, and Khursapar are ideal for spotting leopards, sloth bears, and a wide variety of birds, making them great for both wildlife lovers and birdwatchers. Safaris operate twice daily—early morning and late afternoon—and require advance booking through official portals. These zones provide a balanced mix of forest density, waterholes, and diverse terrain, enhancing the chances of wildlife encounters.

4. Cycling & Tribal Village Tours

Cycling & Tribal Village Tours
Cycling and tribal village tours in Pench National Park offer an immersive way to experience the region’s natural and cultural landscape. These guided tours typically take you through forest tra (Read More)ils, buffer zones, and traditional villages, allowing visitors to interact with local Gond and Baiga communities. You can observe rural lifestyles, local crafts, farming practices, and even taste regional food. Cycling routes are generally easy to moderate and suitable for most fitness levels.

5. Birdwatching

Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Pench is a rewarding experience, thanks to the park’s varied habitats that attract over 250 species of birds. Areas around water bodies, forests, and open grasslands are prime sp (Read More)ots for sightings of hornbills, woodpeckers, barbets, raptors, and migratory birds during winter. Guided birdwatching tours with experts equipped with binoculars and field guides enhance the experience for both beginners and enthusiasts. The best time to go birding is early morning or late afternoon when bird activity is at its peak.

6. Stay in Eco Lodges

Stay in Eco Lodges
Many eco-lodges and forest resorts around Pench National Park offer immersive nature-based experiences beyond safaris. Guests can enjoy stargazing sessions under clear forest skies, tribal dance perfo (Read More)rmances in the evenings, and cooking demonstrations of authentic Gond and Baiga tribal cuisine. For families, several properties organize kids’ jungle camps, guided nature trails, and workshops focused on wildlife conservation and ecology. These activities provide deeper cultural and environmental engagement, making the stay educational and memorable.

Must Know Before You Travel to Pench National Park

  • Timings: 
    Morning: 6:15 AM - 11:00 AM
    Evening: 3:00 PM - 5:45 PM (Safari Timing Varies as Season Changes)
  • Afternoon safari at the Madhya Pradesh side of Pench is closed on Wednesday. The Khursapur gate is closed on Tuesday, the Sillari gate on Wednesday, and the Chorbhauli gate on Monday for both safaris
  • Advance Booking: There are limited entries per zone so pre-booking is essential. The bookings open 120 days before your visit.
  • Safari Booking: Safari can be booked through the official websites of both Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh. You can also book a safari from local tour operators or the hotel you stay in.
  • Carry Photo ID Card: You must carry a photo ID card like Aadhar, voter card, passport, or driver's license that you use to book the online safari. Only passport is valid proof for foreign tourists.
  • Safari Permit: You can take a single-seat permit or a full vehicle permit while booking the safari. Carry the hard copy of the voucher while going on safari
  • Tatkal Safari: It opens at 5:00 PM every day for the next day morning and evening safaris. The cost is more than normal or rebooked safari.

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Flora and Fauna

Home to a variety of flora and fauna and Pench river flowing midst of the national park, Pench National Park houses thickly forested areas of Chhindwara and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh. The serene surroundings of rich woody forests with the occasional sightings of wild animals make this national park an ideal tourist spot. More than 1300 species of dying and endangered plants of medicinal value have been traced at Pench National Park.

The Pench National Park is home to many breeds of animals such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, sloth bears and chinkaras, among others. Pench is also famous for its avian population, both migratory and indigenous. These include the Indian Pitta, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle and migratory species such as Bear-Headed Geese, Brahmini Duck, Coots etc. Owl breeding is also practised here. The Park is also rich in flora - and has a mixture of teak, bamboo, white Kulu (also known locally as the ghost tree due to its conspicuous white colour among the sea of green) and mahua trees. 


History

Originally labelled a sanctuary in 1977, Pench became a National Park in 1983. In 1992, it was established as a tiger reserve, and in 2002 it was christened as the Indira Priyadarshini National Park. The natural richness of the park has been mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari, the 16th-century document chronicling the reign of Emperor Akbar during the Mughal era. The Pench National Park is also the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, and the park is thus also often referred to as Mowgli Land.

Restaurants and Local Food in Pench National Park

Pench does not have too many restaurants and your choices might get a little limited. The most convenient option for food here, are the hotels, resorts and lodges. The local delicacies of Madhya Pradesh that you might find here include Dal Bafla, Biryani, Kebabs, Korma, Poha, Rogan Josh, Jalebi, Ladoos as well as beverages like Lassi and Sugarcane Juice.
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Best Time to Visit Pench National Park

Pench National Park Photos

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The Royal Bengal Tigers in Pench Tiger Reserve

FAQs on Pench National Park

What is famous about Pench national park?

Various species of Fauna and Flora can be found here. Some endangered species like king vulture and white scavenger can be spotted here.

What is not so good about Pench national park?

Has a tropical climate, making it too hot in summers and too cold in winters.

Who should visit Pench national park?

Pench National Park is a great place for wildlife lovers, nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.

What is the best time to visit Pench national park?

February to June is the best time to spot wildlife. The chances of spotting animals increases in summers as they get out more often to drink water. October to February is also a good time as the weather remains very pleasant.
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What is the local food in Pench national park?

Pench does not have too many restaurants and your choices might get a little limited. The most convenient option for food here, are the hotels, resorts and lodges. The local delicacies of Madhya Pradesh that you might find here include Dal Bafla, Biryani, Kebabs, Korma, Poha, Rogan Josh, Jalebi, Ladoos as well as beverages like Lassi and Sugarcane Juice.
Read More

What is the best way to reach Pench national park?

The nearest well-connected airports are Nagpur (92 km) and Jabalpur (200 km). The nearest railway staion is in Nagpur, which is 92 km away. This national park is also very well connected by road and taxis are easily available from Nagpur and Jabalpur to reach here.
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What are the places near Pench national park?

The top places near to Pench national park are Pachmarhi which is 152 km from Pench national park, Kanha national park which is located 84 km from Pench national park, Bhedaghat which is located 123 km from Pench national park, Jabalpur which is located 128 km from Pench national park, Nagpur which is located 123 km from Pench national park

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Popular Questions And Answers on Pench National Park

Q. Which species are found during winters here?

Kumar Kislay

7 years ago
Migratory birds like Brahmini Duck, Pochards, Barheaded Geese, Coots visit the Pench national park in winters. The white-rumped, longbilled, white scavenger and king vulture can be seen here, which a (Read More)re now endangered.
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Q. How to reach from Mhow by train

Holidify

7 years ago
There is no direct train route from Mhow to Pench National Park. The nearest railway station is at Nagpur which is 105 km away. The option is to travel there by car which takes approximately 9 hours. (Read More)
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