Tucked along the Satpura ranges and split between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra lies Pench Tiger Reserve – a forest that feels straight out of Rudyard Kipling’s famous tale, The Jungle Book. It was. The very soul of this story was inspired by these teak woodlands, where leopards still slink in the underbrush and tigers rule the core.
For those looking to trade traffic horns for bird calls and screen time for safari time, Pench is the ideal weekend escape. India is blessed with a multitude of festivals, especially between October and June – the prime safari months – making it easy to plan around long weekends and public holidays.
There’s something restorative about spending three unhurried days in the wild. Mornings come wrapped in birdsong, afternoons are filled with nature walks, and evenings end with candlelight, good food, and stories by the fire. It’s the best of everything, a touch of adventure, a dose of culture, slow living, and soulful luxury.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a family looking to disconnect from screens, or a couple seeking a nature-filled retreat, Pench Tiger Reserve travel offers a meaningful and memorable way to spend a long weekend.
Here’s your 72-hour guide to making the most of this jungle getaway.
Getting There: The Journey to the Jungle
The nearest airport and major train station is Nagpur in Maharashtra, about a 2.5-hour drive to most lodges in Pench. You can book a taxi or ask your lodge to arrange a pickup. Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh also offers good flight and rail connectivity. The roads are smooth, the air turns crisper as you leave the city, and by the time you spot your first chital (spotted deer) herd grazing by the road, you’ll know you’re almost there.
Pro tips:
- Pack light, but don’t skip essentials like sunscreen, a sunhat, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera to capture memories, and a good pair of walking shoes.
- Earth tones are encouraged – bright clothes are a no-no on safari.
Where to Stay in Pench: Eco-Luxury Amidst the Leaves
From eco-luxe wilderness stays to charming forest cottages, Pench caters to all comfort levels. For a serene and immersive experience, try Pench Tree Lodge. Couples can opt for beautiful tree houses that offer privacy and expansive views, where you wake up to birdsong in a treetop room. The lodge also offers comfortable and spacious cottages, suitable for families or larger groups of friends.
Wherever you may choose to stay, prioritise a property that invests in local employment and conservation practices. This is bound not only to enhance your experience but also to protect the very forest you’re here to explore.
Here’s a suggestive 72-hour itinerary with things to do in Pench Tiger Reserve – a thoughtfully paced blend of safaris, village visits, forest walks, and downtime. Of course, it’s only a guide. Lodges can help personalize your days based on your arrival time, interests, and how wild (or relaxed) you want your weekend getaway in Pench to be.
Day 1: Arrival & First Brush with the Wild
12:00 PM – Arrival and Check-in
Settle into your jungle lodge. A cool towel, a welcome drink (often something local and seasonal), and a short orientation usually follow.
1:00 PM – Forest Lunch
Enjoy a hearty lunch – often a blend of seasonal ingredients from the kitchen garden, regional recipes, and home-style cooking.
4:30 PM – Nature Trail
Post-siesta, head out with a naturalist for a guided walk around the property. Here, you can learn to read the forest – spot butterflies and spiders, identify bird calls, and learn about the local and medicinal flora.
7:30 PM – Naturalist Talk and Dinner by the Pool
As the sun sets, delve deeper into the secrets of the forest and its creatures with a presentation by seasoned naturalists. End your evening with a delicious dinner poolside. Call it an early night as you retreat into your cosy room, so you can get a good night’s rest for an early start the next morning.
Also Read: Famous Tigers of Pench National Park
Day 2: Safari Day & Forest Immersion
5:30 AM – Wake Up & Safari Prep
A morning safari means waking up while it’s still dark so you can enjoy the sunrise in the park. After an early dose of caffeine and some biscuits to feel energised, it’s off to the core zone through the Karmajhiri Gate.
6:00 AM – Core Zone Jeep Safari
This is the forest in its full glory, which you can experience via a tiger safari in Pench’s prime big cat territory. With lady luck (and a good naturalist) on your side, you might spot a family of swimming tigers who can often be found around the river! Remember, the thrill is often found in the signs: a fresh paw print, a langur’s alarm call, or a sambar’s still stance. Pench Tiger Reserve is also home to leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and over 250 species of birds, including the crested serpent eagle, racket-tailed drongo, Indian pitta, and Malabar pied hornbill.
9:30 AM – Breakfast in the Jungle
Most jeeps carry a packed breakfast. Enjoy it at a designated forest spot – a clearing surrounded by ancient trees.
11:00 AM – Return & Relax
After the safari, unwind at the lodge. Take a dip in the swimming pool to beat the afternoon heat.
2:00 PM – Lunch & Leisure
Fuel up again with a hearty lunch, and then nap, grab a book from the library’s collection, or simply sit and watch the forest from your veranda.
4:00 PM – Local Immersion or Photography
Explore a nearby village on cycles or take a short drive to interact with the locals from the surrounding villages. For photography enthusiasts, the Kipling Photography Hide offers a different perspective of birds and wildlife. Built around a reflective pond, it provides a discreet eye-level view of various visitors from the jungle that gather around this watering hole.
7:30 PM – Dinner & Starry Skies
End the day with a candlelit dinner and stargazing. In Pench, without urban light pollution, the Milky Way is often visible on clear nights. Pench was declared as India’s first and Asia’s fifth dark sky park.
Also Read: Seasons of Pench National Park
Day 3: Walking Trails, Pottery & Evening Safari
6:00 AM – Runi Jhuni Walking Trail
Start the day with a guided walk along the Runi Jhuni trail – an undulating forest path where you might cross paths with wild boars, spotted deer, jungle cats, langurs, and a myriad of birds like woodpeckers, orioles, and paradise flycatchers. This trail is ideal for understanding forest ecology and slow, immersive exploration – one of the most insightful things to do in Pench Tiger Reserve.
. Knowing there are creatures, big and small, lurking in the trees or under the bushes makes you feel closer to nature.
8:30 AM – Breakfast & Break
Return to your lodge for a hearty breakfast. Spend the late morning hours at leisure – reading, resting, or enjoying the forest ambience.
10:30 AM – Visit to Pottery Village
Venture out to the nearby village of Pachdhar, which is an hour away and known for its traditional pottery. Meet the local community of artisans known as Kumhaars who shape local clay into utility and art, and try your hand at the potter’s wheel. It’s a great way to connect with Pench’s cultural roots and support local livelihoods.
1:30 PM – Lunch Back at the Lodge
Enjoy your last leisurely lunch of the trip – a thali of fresh, regional cuisine.
2:30 PM – Evening Safari
Discover different shades of the forest on an evening jungle safari in Pench. Light and shadow dance differently in the forest as the sun dips – perfect for photography and twilight sightings of animals making their way to waterholes.
7:00 PM – Return to the Lodge
Spend your last night with a delicious meal at the farm. End a memorable nature getaway in Pench tucked into your cosy wilderness bed, soothed by the sounds of the forest.
Day 4: Departure
7:30 AM – Leisurely Breakfast & Checkout
Start your final day with a quiet breakfast and one last look at the forest. Check out and begin your return journey – refreshed, restored, and already dreaming of your return.
When to Visit Pench National Park
- Best Time: The core area of the park is open from 1st October to 30th June for safaris. While this zone is closed during the monsoon months, the buffer zone and lodges are still open and offer a quieter, greener experience, making for a refreshing and relaxing getaway in the monsoons too.
- For Big Cat Sightings: March–May sees animals visiting waterholes frequently, whether it be for a dip or a drink.
- For comfort, the months of October–February offer pleasant days and cool nights. Many winter migratory birds can also be seen during this period.
In Closing: Let the Forest Stay With You
Pench isn’t just a place you visit – it’s a memory that lingers like birdsong in your ears and forest scent on your clothes. It’s where you learn to slow down, listen deeply, and breathe a little better. A weekend getaway in Pench may only last 72 hours, but its echoes stay with you long after the forest fades in your rearview mirror.
So when the city begins to feel too loud and life too fast, maybe, just maybe, it’s time to go back to the jungle, and a nature getaway in Pench offers the perfect answer.
