Pench National Park Guide - Central India - Rudyard Kipling's Sherkhan is here... - Destination Overview
Package Prices
Staring from Rs 19999/- including 4 nights/3 days Pench National Park hotel stay and full treks and Jungle Stay and excursions
Location: Madhya Pradesh,India -480661
Altitude: 650 meters
Nearest Airport: Nagpur
Nearest Train Station: Nagpur
How to reach: Pench national Park is less than 1.5 hours drive from Nagpur
Season to Visit: Though park is open all year, however the Best time to Visit is winter time & spring time. You can avoid during Monsoons as park is closed, however Monsoons is the season when you can get heavy discounts, but Safari depends on forest official approval. wildlife photographer’s like to visit in beginning of summers i.e. in months of February – March – April as it is considered good for tiger sighting & other animals in & around water sources.
Alikatta – the central hub and meeting point of the Pa
Pench National Park Guide - Central India - Rudyard Kipling's
Sherkhan is here...
Pench National park, is the Jungle which inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the famed novel "Jungle Book". The Sherkhan is still hare though elusive among the dense overgrowth.
Pench national park is lesser known hence unspoilt and virgin as compared to other famed national parks like Kanha, Ranthambhor, Bandhavgarh etc. Its aloofness and virginity makes an absolute point for wildlife lover to visit this national park.
6 Interesting Things about Pench National Park - You Must Know
1. Pench is located near Khwasa Village and is locally known as Pench Abhyaran. Locals may not know about national park, but they will know it by name of Abhyaran..
2. In Pench , Park consists of four different hill ranges. The Jungle Safari route is not smooth like other national parks but going uphill and downhill some thing similar to desert safari. Pench Forest is full of spotted deer.
3. There is a special tree of Pench National park called Ghost Tree. In the thick bush of Pench, this tree distinctly stands out with white bark, thick trunk and looks like a Real ghost in dusk time.
4. Pench is named after Pench river which runs through it, Its total area is of 758 SQ Kms, out of which a core area of 299 sq km of Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and remaining 464 sq km of pench national park.
5. Chances of Tiger Viewing are very high in Pench as there is less disturbance of Safari vehicals and pollution. You have a fair chance to see famed Sherkhan..As of 2017, a famed Tigress named Collarwali is centre of attraction in Pench.
6. Pench plays a very important role in bio diversoty of the whole central indian forests, it forms natural corridor with Kanha National Park, Tigers move from Kanha to Pench, In addition it is also connected with Tadoba, and Nagzira national Parks.
Top 10 Unique Reasons - You must Visit Pench National Park
Pench is world famous for one of its Tigress, The Collarwali, living in Sita Ghaati Area, She has unique record of delivering 26 cubs in last 9 years.Most Visitors visit Pench to have a glimpse of Collarwali.
The Only national park which allows Night Safari, which is a unique Experience.
There are pretty decent and Simple looking Dhabas outside the Pench National Park offer most delicious food..Do ask for Desi (Country ) Chicken, Get surprised to see lowest rates. Some Worth Mentioning are Rahul Dhaba, Shiv Dhaba..
Pench National park was first made famous by a documentary “Spy in The jungle” in 2008, narrated by Sir Davis Attenborough, Then Walt Disney Production ‘The Jungle Book” film was first to introduce Pench. Both These are worth a watch..
The gradiant of Pench National park slowly increases from 465meters to 665 meters offering a spectacular views
15 Things to do in Pench National Park
Jeep Safari in national park
Elephant Safari in national park
Bicycle Trip to Pachdhaar village and approciate the local pottery.
Visit Fruit-bat nesting site.
2 hour Foot safari in the ‘nullah’
Follow fresh tiger pugmarks with Guide
Enjoy bird-watching from the pool deck of your Resort
Visit Alikatta elephant camp & interact with elephants and their mahoutes.
Dining Under the Stars
Romantic Private Dining.. Enjoy a luxurious meal on your private deck at your resort ( Few Resorts provide this as an option).
Khoka Lake Picnic & Dining Arranegments
Authentic central Indian Cuisine
Best Entry Gates for Pench National Park
Number of vehicles permitted–
From Turia Gate: 35 each during Morning and Evening
From Khursapar Gate: 19 each during Morning and Evening
From Sillari Gate: 40 each during Morning and Evening
Turia gate
First choice for most guests is the ‘TURIA GATE’. It is advisable to book your forest entry as early as possible because the limited entries are quickly taken.
Khursapar gate
The ‘KHURSAPAR GATE’ is alocated on the Maharasthra side of the Reserve.
Sillari Gate
The Third choice is the ‘SILLARI GATE’ on the Maharashtra side of Pench National Park. It offers great chances of sightings.
Rukkad Gate
The Fourth option is the ‘RUKKHAD AREA’, This is a comparatively new area but extremely beautiful and exciting. Advance booking is not required as spot bookings are normally easily available from Rukkhad Gate.
We provide Assistance with the safari bookings on request
Top 10 Best Resorts to Stay in Pench National Park
Mahua Vann Resort - Ranked #1 of 4 hotels in Pench National Park
Kiplings Court Hotel of MP State Tourism- Ranked #2 of 4 hotels in Pench National Park
Tuli Tiger Corridor- Pench - Ranked #3 of 4 hotels in Pench National Park
Pench Jungle Camp - Ranked #1 of 2 Pench National Park B&B and Inns
Tribal Camp - Ranked #1 of 14 Speciality lodging in Pench National Park
Baghvan Taj Wilderness Lodge - Ranked #2 of 14 Speciality lodging in Pench National Park
Tathastu Resort - One of the best & Unique..
Top 25 Predator Species to be See in Pench National park
Leopard,
Dhol (Indian Wild Dog),
Wolf,
Hyena,
Jackal
Jungle cat.
Top prey species found in Pench National park
Chital
Sambhar
Muntjac
Gaur
Wild boar
Langur
Rhesus macaques.
Over 300 recorded bird species, A paradise for Bird Watchers (Pench National Park falls on the migratory route of waterfowl in winter)
Parakets
Hornbills
Kingfisher
Barbets
Minivets
Orioles
Wagtails
Various raptors found in Pench National park
The crested serpent eagle
Crested hawk eagle
White-eyed buzzard.
Location of Pench National Park : Pench National Park is situated in the Seoni District of Southern Madhya Pradesh and runs in continuation with Pench National Park in Maharashtra. It is situated 80 Kms from Nagpur. (2 hours of drive) and is well connected by an all weather metalloid road network to other important places in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The nearest railhead of Nagpur (80 Kms.) serves as a comfortable air and railhead.
Pench National Park Tourist Guide: Rates & Dates of Typical packages ( 4N-5D with 3 Safari ( 2 Jeep
+ 1 Elephant Safari) & All meals with Nagpur Pickup & drop)
Package Duration: 4 night 5 days
Package Category
Hotel
City
Package cost Per Couple
Peak season Rates(Nov to Mar)
Off Season Rates (Apr to June)
Standard
Mahua Vann Resort
Pench
Rs.25,999
Rs.18,499
Delux
Pench Jungle Camp
Pench
Rs.29,999
Rs.19,499
Luxury
Baghvan Taj Wilderness Lodge
Pench
Rs.31,999
Rs.22,999
Suggested Package Itinarary for Pench National Park
Day 01 : Arrive Pench
Upon arrival at Pench, check into the wildlife resort. Evening enjoy the surrounding nature. Dinner and overnight stay at wildlife resort.
Day 02 : Pench National Park - 2 jungle Safari from Turia Gate
Your will get awake with an early morning wake call serve with a cup of tea before departure for the first jungle safari to the Pench national park. After morning safari return to the resort for fresh -n-up breakfast.
After lunch we will again depart on a gypsy to Pench National Park for wildlife viewing. Dinner and overnight stay at wildlife resort.
Day 03 : Pench National Park - Jungle Safari + Tribal Village Tour
Morning depart on a jypsy to Pench national park for wildlife viewing. Later return to the resort for breakfast. After breakfast spend the at wildlife library. After lunch we will take you to the nearby tribal villages, to experience their rich rural life, coupled with tradition, art & culture. Dinner and overnight stay at wildlife resort.
Day 04 : Pench National Park
After breakfast check out for onward destination.
Tour and Services Ends.
Park Timings of Pench National Park
Wildlife safari timing in Pench national park is just like most parks in the country. Timings for entry into, and exit from, the park vary according to the season. In winters, due to the shorter duration of daylight hours, the morning entry time is later and evening exit time is earlier.
Alikatta – the central hub and meeting point of the Park.
Piyorthadi – Rocky area famous for leopard sightings.
Junewani Talao – a small picturesque pond.
Jamun Nala Area – mostly Grassland.
Chindimatta – junction of roads from Chindwara-Seoni-Maharashtra.
Sitaghat /Raiyakassa – for breathtaking view of the banks of river Pench and birding.
Kalapahad – highest point in the park.
Bodha Nala – Lake and very pretty area
Baghin Nala – Most famous for Tiger sightings in the past few seasons
Bijamatta – a pond with rocky terrain and hills nearby.
Karmajhari – Entry gate on other side of Seoni Range.
Bandhavgarh National Park
A wildlife retreat, where history and nature meet, Bandhavgarh is not too far away from Kanha. Set amidst the Vindhyan ranges, the Park has a series of ridges running through it. Initially just 105.40 sq. km. in area, Bandhavgarh with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high density tiger population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437 sq. km.
About half the Park is covered with fine stands of sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north.
The main viewing area is still in the core of the Park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills. An ancient fort up on a precipice, 800 metres high, dominates the Park. Bandhavgarh's history goes back 2000 years in time and the earliest signs of habitation can be seen in the Caves excavated from the cliffs to the north of the fort. Brahmi inscription here, date back to the 1st century BC A hunting reserve of the roya! family of Rewa in more recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a Park in 1968. This is where the famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered. Wandering through the Park on elephant back, the chances of seeing a tiger are quite good. Also to be seen here are nilgai, chausingha, chital, chinkara, wild boar and sometimes a fox or jackal.Other inhabitants of the Park include the muntjac, jungle cat, ratel, hyena, porcupine, the rhesus macaque and the black-faced langur. About 150 species of birds are also found here and include the migratory birds that arrive in winter like the steppe eagle and various water birds.
It is possible to climb up to the Bandhavgarh fort for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the Park and there is also a small population of black buck that lives here, protected from the predators below. General Information:
(Bandhavgarh National Park)
Best Time to Visit: November to June.
Nearest Town: Umaria (30 km)
How to Get Here: Air: Jabalpur (170 km), Khajuraho (210 km) Rail:Umaria (30 km), Jabalpur (170 km)
Kanha National Park
Located in the Mandia district of Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha National Park is a Tiger Reserve that extends over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country. Elevations range from 450 to 900 meters.A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the. spurs of the Mekal ridge gives Kanha an interesting topography. The Surpan River meanders through Kanha's central maidans - grasslands that Dover the extensive plateaus. Steep rocky escarpments along their edges offer breathtaking views of the valleys below. The grasslands at Kanha interspersed with forests of sal, teeming with varieties of deer - the barasinqha, chital (spotted deer), chousingha, nilgai, the majestic gaur (Indian bison) and wild pig, is 'tiger country'. It is ideal for viewing both the predator and the prey. It was here at Kanha that the eminent zoologist George Schaller undertook the first ever-scientific study of the tiger. Another landmark at Kanha is the preservation of the "hard ground' barasingha (cervus duvauceli branderi) - the only surviving population of this Central Indian subspecies. This was achieved by extending the grasslands, relocating villages and by increasing the habitat. The animals at Kanha are best observed from elephant back and the open country makes the chance of sightings reasonably good. Deer are seen along the maidans and gaur at Bamhindadr or in the Bishanpura Sondhar- Ghorella area of the Mukki range. This area is also ideal for spotting the dhole or wild dog. spotting the dhole or wild dog. Langurs, wild boar, water fowl and birds are also commonly seen.
(Kanha National Park)
Best time to visit Pench National Park
Pench National Park remains open for visitors from October to June month. Nov-Dec-Jan is the time of winters season and Mar-Apr-May-June is the summer time. Park usually remains closed during monsoon season (Jul-Aug-Sept). Foreigner visitors usually prefer to visit in winters due to holidays in their country and also due to preferred climate in Climate India.
Best time to visit Pench national park depends upon the intention with which visitor is coming here. If a visitor is interested in Bird watching then we recommends months of Nov-Dec-Jan as good time as during this time migratory birds arrives here. Similarly in the month of March & April, park remain glowing like fire due to presence of flowering in Flame of Forest tree and availability of Mahua (fruit from Indian Butter Tree). This time also we can find various birds species on tree.
How to reach Pench National Park
Pench National Park By Train
The nearest railhead is Seoni Railway Station, which is about 30 km from the Pench and Chhindwara railway station, around . This railway station is connected to cities like Pune and Nagpur. Regular trains connect Seoni to Jabalpur and Nagpur. Seoni to Pench, tourist taxi charges about Rs 500.
Pench National Park By Air
Nearest airport to Pench is Sonegaon airport at Nagpur, placed at a distance of 132 km from Pench. Regular flights to Mumbai and Pune are available from the airport. Pre-paid taxi fare is about Rs 2,000 from Nagpur to Pench.
Pench National Park By Bus
Nearest bus junction is at Seoni, which is about 30 km away from Pench National park. Many buses pass through Pench. Seoni is connected to all cities in Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra by private and public bus services.
