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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"Land of Mowgli"

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. Jeep Safari

Explore the park's core zones in open-top 4x4 vehicles accompanied by experienced naturalist guides. While on safari, expect sightings of various wildlife species such as Bengal tigers, leopards, (Read More) Indian gaur, sambar deer, chital, langurs, and an array of birdlife. It usually last for around 3-4 hours, divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

2. Night Safari

Available from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM (time varies) only in the Wolf Sanctuary zone (Rukhad & Khawasa) which are buffer zones. It is open throughout the year. It costs INR 9500 for jeep entry (maximum (Read More) six people) for the vehicle, permit and guide. Only three vehicles are allowed to enter the zone for night safari. The chances of spotting tiger is low in night safari, but it is preferable for a jungle at night experience.

3. Bird Watching

Explore areas around water bodies, forests, and grasslands to spot a diverse range of birds, including raptors, hornbills, barbets, woodpeckers, and migratory species. Knowledgeable guides equipped wi (Read More)th binoculars and bird identification charts aid in identifying and locating various bird species. Early mornings and late afternoons are optimal for birdwatching due to increased bird activity.

4. Village Visit

Village visits offer an authentic experience of local life and culture. Interact with indigenous communities like the Baiga and Gond tribes. Witness and participate in traditional activities such as p (Read More)ottery-making, tribal dances, folk music, and traditional art forms. Engage with villagers, learn about their daily routines, agricultural practices, and traditions, gaining insights into their way of life and cultural heritage.

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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Pench National Park Photos

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The Royal Bengal Tigers in Pench Tiger Reserve
Spotted Deer in Pench National Park
Pench is a haven for bird watching

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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

5 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

5 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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