Pench National Park

Pench National Park is a wild playground harboring country's maximum density of prey animals, chased by estimated 65 Tigers. In 1983, it was declared a National Park and in 1992, a tiger reserve.

Pench Tiger Reserve is spread across 1,180sq km, including a buffer zone of 768sq km. Pench National Park is situated under the Seoni and Chhindwara administrative districts of Madhya Pradesh and shares southern boundary with Maharashtra and hence is accessible from Maharashtra as well. Pench Tiger Reserve comprises "Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, Pench Mowgli Sanctuary, and the buffer forest.

There are three gates for core to access Pench National Park from Madhya Pradesh - Turia Gate, Karmajhiri Gate and Jamatra Gate. Pench Tree Lodge is located close to Karamjhiri gate (25 minutes) which besides jeep safari also has access to a unique walking trail - Runi Jhooni.

Pench National Park also offers safari to its blessed buffer zones including Teliya Buffer, Khawasa, Buffer, Kumbhpani - Tekadi Buffer and Rukad Buffer.

Rukad buffer can be easily accessed from Pench Tree Lodge and has been having consistent Tiger sightings. Kumbhpani - Tekadi buffer is close to Karmajhiri gate and has easy access from Pench Tree Lodge. This buffer also allows night safaris.

Pench is where the literary genius, Sir Rudyard Kipling created the timeless classic, The Jungle Book and its wolf child, immortalized as Mowgli. This masterpiece inspired by the true incident of a human child, reared by wolves in the nineteenth century, in Seonee (now Seoni) district, is located in the charming, lush land of Pench, in Madhya Pradesh.

It isn't a surprise that Sir Kipling was beguiled by the streams and rivulets - most of them springing from the River Pench, the lofty Satpura range, a landmass covered by the towering teak and dry deciduous forests.

Pench is indeed a land of delightful splendour. Myriad flora and fauna inhabit these stunning jungles. Tigers, Indian leopard, sloth bear, several varieties of spotted deers, nilgais, sambhar, chinkara, etc, wild dogs, gaurs and not to forget Kipling's adoptive family for Mowgli - the wolves. Pench is an idyllic land for bird watching, boasting of over 210 species of birds.

SAFARI ESSENTIALS

When on Safari, besides wearing appropriate clothing there are a few essentials that can make the overall experience remarkable. Here is a list of items that can be carried along;

Sun Screen
Sunglasses
Insect Repellent
Neutral (Khaki, Green, Brown) colored clothing
Preferably very light cotton in summer
For winters, windbreaker, warm jacket, sweater, fleece, gloves, warm cap
Safari hat or cap
Stole, buff, or scarf for protection from heat and dust
Boots or closed shoes
Binoculars

FAQ

What is Pench National Park famous for?

Pench National was declared a National Park in 1983 and in 1992, it got the recognition of a tiger reserve. Pench National Park is indeed a land of delightful splendour. Myriad flora and fauna inhabit these stunning jungles includes, Tigers, Indian leopards, sloth bears, several varieties of deer, antelopes, wild dogs, gaurs and wolves. Pench is an idyllic land for bird watching, boasting over 210 species of birds.

What is the best time to visit Pench National Park?

October to March offers the best weather with sunny days, cold nights, and very few days of rain to visit Pench National Park. April to June gets hot but is excellent for sightings in the park. The core zone is closed from July to Sept but the buffer zone is open all year round at Pench National Park.

What are the top activities in Pench National Park?

Besides the very popular tiger safari expedition in Pench National Park, one can explore Rukhad Buffer by cycle and also opt for camping out in the buffer zones. Pench Tree Lodge also offers a green non-vehicular experience at its Kipling Hide, India's first luxury wildlife photography hide.

Which is the nearest airport to Pench National Park?

Nagpur, which is approximately at a distance of 130kms, is the closest airport. Jabalpur airport, approximately 210kms from Pench is another option to reach Pench National Park. However, Nagpur is an international airport and has more flight connectivity than Jabalpur.

Which is the most popular gate in Pench National Park

Pench Tiger Reserve is spread across 1,180sq km, including a buffer zone of 768sq km with three popular core gates- Turia Gate, Karmajhiri Gate, and Jamatra Gate which offers access to the same part of the park. Buffer zones include Teliya Buffer, Khawasa, Buffer, Kumbhpani - Tekadi Buffer, and Rukad Buffer.