safari timings in pench

• 098718 03300
• 098995 33378
•   [email protected]

Safari Timing in Pench National Park

Pench safari timing, morning & evening safari timing in pench.

To have the greatest delight of the best jungle safari in the beautiful land of India, a tour to Pench National Park has seriously no match around. This is the place that knows it all how to serve tourists a matchless wildlife excursion like no other wildlife destination can offer. Officially shared between two big states in India – Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Pench National Park offers morning as well as evening jungle safaris to wildlife enthusiasts. Though the experiences of jungle safari in both states are different as only higher authorities have that right to organise or take any decision related to the Pench National Park.

As in organising jungle safari in Pench National Park, sunrise and sunset plays a crucial role, there are always different safari timings for summer and winter seasons. According to the critical rule about this park, it opens up half an hour earlier to sunrise and also, closes down half an hour earlier to sunset. In case of a VIP entry, the Pench National Park management can make changes in its safari timings and make it according to the schedule of the VIP.

Detailed safari timings in Pench National Park

Pench National Park offers two safaris in a day – Morning safari and Evening Safari. These jungle safaris are conducted from sunrise – sunset and from 11 AM to 3 PM, the safari remains stopped for a break. Depending on the season, the timings of safari have a little change as below:

Safari Timings of Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh –

Closure detail of pench national park -.

From 16th June – 30th September, every year, Pench National Park and Reserve in Madhya Pradesh remains closed for the visitors. In addition, this park usually remains closed for the visitors’ entry for evening safaris on Holi and Diwali and all Wednesdays.

Though Pench National Park in Maharashtra remains open throughout a year without any closure for visitors.

Safari Timings of Pench National Park In Maharastra –

The Ultimate Guide to Pench National Park Safari booking: How to Book, What to See, & Where to Stay

It just took a few minutes of the Pench Safari to realize why Rudyard Kipling was so inspired by this national park in Madhya Pradesh . As my safari jeep zoomed along, the emerald forest brought to life some of my favorite scenes from Jungle Book. Mowgli having fun with Baloo in one of the forest openings, Sher Khan lurking behind the deep green cover, Bagheera keeping an eye from the straggler trees along the way and even the pack of wolves running along with Mowgli. I was lucky enough to have spotted all these characters (almost all) in flesh with my safari in Pench National Park. It’s your turn now to embark on this real-life setting of the Jungle Book.

In this blog post, besides sharing my own experience, I will be giving you loads of tips to help you with your Pench National Park Safari booking . I have you covered on all the major fronts – from the various types of safaris to the different Pench gates, timings, Pench Safari cost, where to stay and even what animals you can expect to see . In addition to that I have included step-by-step instructions on how to do a Pench Safari online booking for the MP Zone . In short, just bookmark this mega travel guide on Pench Jungle Safari booking.

Planning to head to Pench?

In case you are looking for some quick links to tours, places to stay and travel accessories for your Pench safari, you can consider using these online options.

• Booking.com  has several good Pench resorts and hotels listed on their site. You could use  this link  to browse and book the same.
• Viator.com  offers several tours in India. They even have a wildlife safari package to Pench from Nagpur . They even have wildlife tours combining different parks like Kanha and Pench . You can use the link to book one for yourself.
• GetYourGuide  has various local tours and car bookings available that you can use for Pench. It has a skip-the-line tickets booking for Pench Safari .
• For any of your travel needs or general shopping, consider using  Amazon  through  this link.
• 0.1 About Pench Tiger Reserve and its history
• 0.2 Pench National Park Map and Zones
• 0.3 Which is the best gate for Pench National Park in MP?
• 0.4 Types of Pench safaris in Madhya Pradesh
• 0.5 Pench Safari Timings
• 0.6 What is the Pench National Park Safari booking price?
• 0.7.1 Documents required for the Pench safari booking
• 0.7.2 Step-by-step process for Pench online booking on the official website
• 0.8 How many safaris should you book in Pench?
• 1.1 What is the best time to visit Pench National Park?
• 1.2.1 Tigers – aka Sher Khan
• 1.2.2 Leopards – cousins of Bagheera
• 1.2.3 Jackals  
• 1.2.4 Dholes in Pench National Park
• 1.2.5 Gaurs
• 1.2.6 Chitals
• 1.2.7 Monkeys – Langurs and Macaques
• 1.2.8 Other mammals to look out for
• 1.2.9 Birds to spot during the Pench national park jeep safari
• 1.3 What are the common trees or vegetation that you can see in Pench?
• 1.4 Where to stay in Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh?
• 1.5 How to reach Pench national park in MP?
• 1.6 Additional tips for Pench National Park safari
• 1.7.1 How many days in Pench National Park?
• 1.7.2 Can I hire my own guide instead of the one that is allotted when I book safari in Pench?
• 1.7.3 Are mobile phones allowed in Pench National Park?
• 1.7.4 What not to wear on a jungle safari?

About Pench Tiger Reserve and its history

Named after the Pench River that flows through its 758 sq km of land , this forest was once the hunting grounds of the royalty and the rules of the Gond tribes. It became a protected area in 1965 to safeguard the habitat of the endangered tiger species and promote conservation efforts. In 1975, it was declared a national park and then as the Pench Tiger Reserve in 1992.

While it is widely known as one of the key national parks in MP (Madhya Pradesh) , around 40% of the Pench National Park also extends into the s t ate of Maharashtra . The forest is primarily a deciduous forest with an abundant population of teak and sal. The Pench Forest is home to over 250 species of birds and a variety of animals – besides the Royal Bengal Tiger for which is it famous.

Whether you visit the Pench National Park Maharashtra or in MP, you are bound to have an exhilarating experience spotting these exotic creatures in their natural habitat. However, in this guide, I will be largely focusing on the tiger reserve in MP.

Pench National Park Map and Zones

Before I start sharing my tips about the Pench National Park Safari booking, a quick section to understand the various zones inside the forest. This MP Pench National Park Map that I found during my stay with Pugdundee Safaris is just perfect to understand the expanse of this forest. You will need this information to understand your preference when you book a jungle safari in Pench.

Primarily like all national parks, Pench Forest has two major zones – the core and buffer . The difference between these two zones is that no human habitation or activity is allowed in the Core zones, unlike the buffer zone where you will find villages.  On the Madhya Pradesh national park side, the Pench core zone is further divided into three zones –

• Turia Zone – The most popular for jeep safaris in Pench. There is a higher frequency of tiger sightings in this zone.
• Karmajhiri Zone: This zone is less busy than Turia Zone, but it is still home to a variety of wildlife. The zone is known for its bamboo forests, which are a favorite habitat of tigers.
• Jamtara Zone: This zone is located in the eastern part of the park

The Buffer zone of the Pench National Park in MP too, has three zones.

• Wolf Sanctuary – as the name suggests, there is a lot of wolf sightings here. It is also, called Khawasa Buffer Zone
• Teliya Zone – has a lot of grasslands and scrub vegetation. I did get one of my tiger sightings here.
• Rukhad – this has a hilly terrain and borders the Karmajhari zone.

On the Maharashtra side of Pench national park, you have two major core zones – Sillari and Khursapar . As I mentioned, if you are opting for a Pench National Park online booking, this information is likely to come in handy.

Which is the best gate for Pench National Park in MP?

Each of the three core zones has its own gate from where the Pench jungle safari begins. Of these, the Turia Gate is the most popular . When you start doing your Pench jungle safari booking, you will see that the number of permits on this gate is higher than the other gates. The reason is that this is where the maximum number of safari jeeps are allowed in. If you opt for a canter safari, then you will again have to start from Touria Gate Pench.

Karmajhari and Jamtara Gates , on the other hand, are comparatively quieter. There are a lesser number of jeeps allowed from here. No canters are available from here.

I used the Karmajhiri gate for both my safaris in Pench. However, I did cover all the possible zones from here. As per my Pugdundee naturalist – Deepa, “ The sighting opportunities from all the gates is almost the same. There is no particular advantage of one gate over the other. You are eventually going to cover all the major zones. It finally comes down to your luck”.

Types of Pench safaris in Madhya Pradesh

There are three types of safaris that you can book in Pench Madhya Pradesh

• Pench National Park Jeep Safaris – these are according to me, the best option. The jeeps are easier to maneuver and allow you to get a good look at any possible animals that you might spot. One jeep can seat around 6 people – besides a guide and a driver. You can opt to either book a seat in one of the jeeps or book the entire vehicle.
• Night Safaris – This is available only in the buffer zone of Rukhad and Wolf Sanctuary. You get an experience of how the jungle feels at night.
• Canter Safaris – This is available only at the Turia Gate Pench. There is a limit of two canters at the gate. The canters being slightly longer have a certain limitation of routes. My advice to you is that opt for these only if there are no more Jeep permits available when doing your Pench tiger reserve booking.

The Maharashtra side of Pench does not offer night safari. Instead, you can opt for the daytime Elephant safari that takes you where even the jeeps can wander.

Pench Safari Timings

The Jeep and Canter safaris in Pench can be booked in two slots –

• Morning Safari – this is a 5 hours safari between 6 am to 11 am during summer. During winter, the safari starts a little later at 7:30 am and ends by 10:30 am.
• Afternoon Safari – from 2:30 pm to 6 pm

Night safari is available at 6 pm and generally lasts for around 3 hours.

What is the Pench National Park Safari booking price?

The Pench national park ticket prices displayed outside the Karmajhari gate in 2023 are as in the picture. Note that there are three components to the safari booking – the permit cost, the vehicle cost and the guide cost. All these need to be paid for the safari – though you might only need to pay the permit fee online. The rest has to be paid at the entry gate.

To give you an idea, a single-seat booking will cost you INR 1600 while a complete jeep safari in Pench will cost you INR 7500.

How to book Pench Safari?

The most convenient way to do a Pench safari booking is using the official MP f orest department website. You can book safari in Pench 120 days in advance. There is a limited number of permits per day and per gate. It is highly recommended that you book as early as possible to get the zones and gates of your choice. Naturalists recommend at least 45 days prior to getting your choice.

 The other option is to book one of the Pench jungle safari packages through the resort that you are opting to stay with. These packages include not just the Pench national park permit but the transport to the gates. In the case of Pugdundee Safaris (with whom I had stayed), for a nominal cost, you even get a trained naturalist to accompany you. The benefit of these packages is more if you are booking closer to the safari date and the online permits are exhausted. The resort packages can help you with the Tatkal bookings.

Documents required for the Pench safari booking

You will need a Government Photo ID card for booking a Pench national park permit. For Indians, this could be Aadhar, PAN Card, Voters ID, Driving license or Passport copy. Foreigners have to use their Passports for ID purposes. Kids can use their student ID.

The details of these ID cards have to be entered when doing the Pench Safari booking online. Please ensure that you carry the same ID card when you visit Pench. This will be checked at the gates and can get rejected if they are not the same.

Step-by-step process for Pench online booking on the official website

The online process of booking safari in Pench is actually much simpler today as compared to a few years back. Here is the stepwise process –

• On the bottom left of the website,  click the button that says “want to log in?” . Register yourself and your bank account with your mobile number first.
• Next, click on the Book Permit section
• Choose whether you want to book a single seat in a Jeep or a full Jeep
• Next, pick the date that you wish to book the permit. This will take you to a screen that displays the available permits per gate and safari slots (morning or afternoon).
• Select your slot and move to the next screen
• Here you have to enter the details of the traveler. Remember to fill in the exact ID details and the correct spelling here. Also, ensure you carry the same id on the day of your visit to avoid any rejection due to a mismatch of details.
• Submit and pay for your permit. This price is only the permit price. You will have to pay for the vehicle and guide at the Pench national park gates.
• Download your permit and ensure you have it handy when you visit Pench National Park.

Every safari in Pench has an exclusive permit. Hence, you will need to go through this entire booking process for every safari that you book at Pench National Park.

It is possible that you see a waitlist instead of a confirmed permit. Avoid the waitlist as it is unlikely to get confirmed. Instead, if you are not flexible with the dates, you can opt for Tatkal bookings. Do note that this option is available only a day or two prior to the safari dates.

If you do not want to take that chance, you can always reserve a permit through your resort. Sure, there might be higher charges but you are likely to get a confirmed booking along with a few other perks like transport to the gates.

P.S: You can use the same online booking process and the website for the other MP National parks like Kanha and Bandhavgarh.

How many safaris should you book in Pench?

At least 2 – 3 safaris are what I would recommend. Take a mix of morning and afternoon safaris to increase your chances of seeing the wildlife. One safari is honestly too much of a chance.

Which is better – morning safari or afternoon safari?

Statistics say that there is an equal chance of spotting the big cats on either one of the slots. Even experts like our naturalist Deepa endorse the same.

However, my personal experience with Kanha , Kabini , Tadoba and even Pench has made me feel that morning slots are always more rewarding than the afternoon safaris.

What is the best time to visit Pench National Park?

Pench National Park is closed during monsoons – that is from July 1 st to October 15th. It is open for the rest of the year, except on two or three public holidays. The best time for tiger sightings is generally from February to May or even early June.

February to March has heat which is a little bearable – making it easy to sit through the entire safari. However, April to June has scorching temperatures. Having said that, this is when the thirst brings out the cats to the waterholes and thus, making the sightings easier.

The winter months too, are not too bad. You are likely to still see the striped beasts and the spotted cats but there are plenty more interesting creatures that are likely to make an appearance.

What kind of wildlife or Pench national park animals can you expect to see on your safari?

You will find almost every character in the epic Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Over my two morning safaris, I met almost all the Pench national park animals except Baloo (the sloth bear who is known to be elusive ).  

My Pench jungle safari even included some rare birds and insects. Let me share some quirky facts about these Pench animals and birds that you will enjoy reading. I am sure that this will increase the curiosity quotient and the wanderlust for Pench National Park.

Tigers – aka Sher Khan

These striped tigers are the reason why this place is called Pench Tiger Reserve. There are over 50 tigers in Pench . The most famous tigress here was called Collarwali – so named as she was the first to be fitted with a radio collar. I was hoping to get to Pench earlier in 2020 to catch sight of her. Unfortunately, she died in 2022.

However, I did get a sight of her daughter and it was such a timely sighting. Following the calls of the chitals and the langurs, we arrived just in time to stand behind the already waiting jeeps. Within minutes, she popped out and walked around a bit before turning into the thickets.

During the second safari, I was rewarded with the sight of 2 cubs (out of the four) and their mom, far in the grassland, near a waterhole. This one was a game of patience. The guides knew that the tigress with her cubs had crossed over into the hill. Staring into the greens, with the warm sun on me, I was almost nodding off when I saw something jump. And then a quick sighting.

Minutes passed and we were finally rewarded with the sight of a male cub walking towards the waterhole. He disappeared for a few moments, only to walk on a small cliff into a shelter of rocks. Patience persisted and finally we not only saw him but his sister walk past towards the hidden mom. Though far, it was truly a rewarding sight!

Leopards – cousins of Bagheera

If it isn’t the tigers, you are likely to bump into the spotted cats – the leopards. However, unlike the tigers, they are likely to emerge from not just the thickets but can be on the tree tops or rock caverns. Technically they are not cousins of Bagheera (the black panther). They are in fact, the same species. It is just that the genetic mutations cause the black spots to cover the whole body, giving it the color black.

There are no black panthers currently in Pench National Park. The famous ones in India are Blacky who is currently roaming around Tadoba and Saya who is in Kabini.

This time in Pench Tiger Reserve, I got lovely sightings of a leopard cub. In fact, I managed to see him on both jungle safaris – lazing on the rocky terrain of Pyorthadi , yawning and preening and playing with his sister (who I could not spot from the jeep). The 2 nd day in fact, was the best when he posed and looked right into my camera.

Jackals  

Found these guys in the early hours of our Pench jungle safari. It was a family with their pups, frolicking around the grassland and not afraid to walk past the jeeps. The interesting tidbit about them is that they are one set of creatures who are known to be monogamous by nature.

Dholes in Pench National Park

Anyone doing a Pench jungle safari booking usually fixates on the big cats. So when a very wolf or dog-looking creature passes the jeep, they rarely stop. This is where I would say, do not underestimate the Dholes.

Always in a pack, they are known to enclose and attack their prey. They can even bring down a leopard. The Indian wild dogs or dholes are endangered species that definitely merit some attention.

The Indian bison or Gaurs are supposedly one of the largest mammals in the world . Staring at one of their massive faces, I felt myself shuddering a little. Just then Deepa quoted – “ Their horns can be really huge and if they get angry, they can actually overturn our jeep.” Gulp!

You might get excited when you see the first one or two herds of these spotted deers or chitals. However, after a point, they will begin to feel like pigeons in the city. They are practically everywhere.

During your Pench safaris, heed to their call and gaze. It is their distress call that will help you track the presence of a predator – likely a tiger or a leopard.

Monkeys – Langurs and Macaques

Found in groups, the Gray Langurs are like the sentries who along with the Chitals give out distress calls that are used by the Pench guides to track the predatory cats. Spend a moment or two observing the wise ones. It is interesting to see how protective they are of the mischievous young ones. They tend to climb up high on branches when they hear the distress calls – very evidently to look out for the predators so that they can further communicate to the rest of the group.

The other group of monkeys commonly found in Pench is the Rhesus Macaques . They are not as active guards as the langurs and are just found frolicking around the woods.

Other mammals to look out for

Besides the above, I caught the sight of a few sambar deer and wild boars. I believe there are a few sloth bears lurking around but as Baloo claims in Jungle book, they love their naps and probably were doing so as we made our rounds in the safari.

Birds to spot during the Pench national park jeep safari

If you are an avid bird lover, then you should only opt for a jeep safari as against the canter safari. Since you can control the pace of the drive, you can actually stop and track some real winged beauties during your Pench Safari.

Harish, the resort manager at Pugdundee’s Tree Lodge told me – “ Look out for the Indian rollers . Whenever I have spotted one, I have always spotted a big cat.”   And so I did. At the start of both the safaris in Pench, I spotted a few rollers and I can say that the myth might just actually be true. While it is a state bird for Karnataka, I always missed spotting it – be it in Sakleshpur or birdwatching in Kabini. Finally, Pench was the place for me to see it.

Peacocks are practically everywhere and if you are as lucky as I was, you will see one performing a dance for its mate, right next to you. The Pench terrain is just a perfect backdrop for these birds. You might find them perched on a rocky with the green landscape behind them – the scene almost as if it were a muse for an artist.

Besides these, look out for the swooping Grey hornbills with their tell-tale casque over the yellow beak. I even spotted the Serpentine eagle and the Changeable hawk eagle . Among the owls species (and there are many) – I managed to catch a pair of Mottle wood owl nuzzling each other. And that definitely made me go all “Awww….”

Indian Pittas (the bird with 9 colors), starlings, paradise flycatchers – there is plenty happening in the forest that one safari is not going to capture. I will be sharing a complete post on birding in Pench soon but for now, you get the idea. 

What are the common trees or vegetation that you can see in Pench?

The deciduous forest is filled with teak and sal trees. However, you will see a lot of them covered by parasitic straggler trees . Some of the parasitic growth goes across the trails in the form of artistic canopies.

There are a lot of Ghost trees – easily recognizable by their white color. Originally called Kulu trees , these change color in every season. When they shed their leaves and bark, they turn white and actually shine in the moonlight. In some seasons, the bark turns pink.

Tendu, rock figs, palash, mahua are some common species that you are going to come across. When in season, you will also see the burst of color with the Flame of the forest .

Where to stay in Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh?

There are several accommodation options available for visitors to Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh. These accommodations range from luxury resorts to budget-friendly lodges . It is better to pick an option near your preferred Pench National Park gate .

If you are looking at safaris from Touria Gate, then you can consider Pench Jungle Camp , Tathastu Pench , Tuli Tiger Corridor or the Vannraj resort . I stayed at the Pench tree lodge – a resort that I highly recommend. This was closer to the Karmajhiri gate . Check out my complete experience of this through this link . You can use the same one to book a stay.

I highly recommend booking your Pench stay in advance, especially during peak seasons, to ensure availability. Also, each of these resorts has limited capacity – like the Pench tree lodge by Pugdundee only has 12 options- 6 tree hours and 6 cottages.

How to reach Pench national park in MP?

The nearest airport to Pench National Park is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The distance from Pench to Nagpur is 88 kilometer s. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or use pre-arranged transportation services to reach Pench National Park.

If you are planning to get to Pench National Park by train, then you can opt for Seoni Railway Station which is just 30 kilometers away . However, it has limited connectivity. Nagpur Junction might be a better option as it is well-connected to various cities in India.

Nagpur to Pench National Park is a very comfortable road journey that takes around 3 hours.

Additional tips for Pench National Park safari

I have covered most of the key tips for Pench national park safari booking as well as what to expect during the safari till now. Here are a few dos and don’t that I would like to share for your safari experience –

• Dress modestly in subtle colors. Do not wear bright colors.
• Cover your skin with long sleeves as it does get quite hot as the day progresses
• Use a scarf or a hat to cover your hair.
• The safaris are a raw experience where you will find a lot of dust blowing over you. There is no avoiding the same. It is better to cover your nose and mouth if you are allergic to it.
• Do not talk loudly or make strange sounds.
• Listen to the guide at all times. Do not step out of the vehicle unless specifically instructed to.
• Carry a pair of binoculars. Telephoto lens are highly recommended for photographers. A 100 -400 mm lens is just perfect to get some amazing wildlife shots.
• Wildlife spotting is a game of chance. No one can guarantee what you will see. It is purely your luck on that day.

Common FAQs about Pench Jungle Safari bookings

How many days in pench national park.

With at least 2 to 3 safaris and the other things to do in Pench, you should plan for at least 3 days here.

Can I hire my own guide instead of the one that is allotted when I book safari in Pench?

The guide allocated by the forest department is mandatory. You cannot do a safari in Pench without one. You can however, include an additional naturalist of your choice in the safari. A lot of resorts like Pugdungee safaris provide trained naturalists at a minimal cost.

Are mobile phones allowed in Pench National Park?

Yes, you are allowed to carry mobile phones into the park but only for photography . It has to be put into silent mode.

What not to wear on a jungle safari?

Do not wear bright colors. Keep your outfits muted to natural greens, browns or blacks. Protect yourself with a hat or scarf.

Before you go, pin this

I hope you have found this guide to Pench jungle safari and the booking process informative. Do share the same around and pin one of these to your boards for easy reference.

Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.

I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.

You might also like these posts –

• Living up in the Pench tree lodge by Pugdundee Safaris
• Waghoba Eco Lodge by Pugdundee Safaris in Tadoba
• A Feathery Trail to meet the birds of Kabini
• In Pursuit of Black Panther – A Complete Guide to Kabini Safari
• Sakleshpur – A Blissful Weekend Getaway from Bengaluru

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Super Deluxe Room
• Luxury Tent

A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Book a Safari at Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Introduction:.

Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India, is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Known for its incredible biodiversity and the chance to spot majestic tigers, booking a safari at Pench offers a thrilling opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of booking a safari at Pench National Park, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience.

Plan Your Visit Before booking a safari, it’s essential to plan your visit to Pench National Park. Determine the best time to visit based on weather conditions and wildlife sightings. The park is typically open for safaris from October to June, but it’s advisable to check the official website or contact the park authorities for the most up-to-date information.

Choose the Entry Gate Pench National Park has multiple entry gates, and each gate offers different safari zones and experiences. The popular entry gates are Turia, Karmajhiri, and Jamtara. Research the different gates and their respective zones to understand which one aligns with your interests and wildlife preferences. For example, if you’re keen on spotting tigers, Turia Gate is known for its tiger sightings.

Select Safari Type Pench National Park offers various safari options, including jeep safaris and canter safaris. Jeep safaris provide a more personalized experience, allowing you to explore the park in a smaller group. Canter safaris, on the other hand, accommodate larger groups and are an excellent option for those looking for a budget-friendly option. Choose the safari type that suits your preferences and budget.

Make Reservations To book a safari at Pench National Park, there are multiple avenues available:

a) Online Booking: Visit the official website of Madhya Pradesh Forest Department ( https://forest.mponline.gov.in ) to check availability and make reservations online. Fill in the required details, including the entry gate, safari type, preferred date, and number of visitors. Complete the payment process to secure your booking.

b) Resort Booking: If you plan to stay at a resort or lodge near Pench National Park, Jungle Home  Pench Resort  and Spa offer  accommodations and  safari packages as part of their services. Contact the resort directly and inquire about safari bookings. They will assist you in securing a spot for your desired safari.

c) Authorized Agents: There are authorized travel agents and tour operators who can assist in booking safaris at Pench National Park. Research and choose a reputable agent with experience in organizing wildlife tours. They will guide you through the process, handle reservations, and ensure a smooth safari experience.

Obtain Necessary Permits Once your safari booking is confirmed, ensure you have the necessary permits. These may include entry permits, vehicle permits, and camera permits. Some of these permits may be included in the safari package, while others may need to be obtained separately. Double-check with your booking agent or the park authorities to ensure you have all the required permits before your visit.

Booking a safari at Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, is an exhilarating experience for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. By following this step-by-step guide, you can navigate the process seamlessly, ensuring you secure your preferred safari type, entry gate, and date. Remember to plan ahead, choose a reliable booking method, and obtain all necessary permits. With everything in place, get ready to embark on a memorable journey through the enchanting wilderness of Pench National Park, where breathtaking wildlife encounters await at every turn.

You may also like

Introduction: Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, India, is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Known for its incredible biodiversity and the chance to spot majestic tigers, booking a safari at Pench offers a thrilling opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process […]

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Copyrights 2022 | WelcomHeritage Jungle Home Resort and Spa | Turiya Gate, Nagpur Jabalpur Highway Pench National Park, MP 480881

• Call +91 9212777223

24 Nov, 2021

8 best things to do in pench national park.

Welcome to the abode of mesmerizing wilderness, Pench National Park . Here the majestic wild creatures reside to make this nature’s beautiful piece incredibly unfathomable to humans. We can never have enough of soothing nature. Pench Tiger Reserve is one of the best wildlife destinations to visit in India for wildlife holidays. Nestled in the enchanting foothills of Satpura Hills, it is divided into two parts - One Southern part of Madhya Pradesh and the borders of Maharashtra. It is said that the setting of the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling has been imagined in Pench Tiger Reserve.

Feel of the Place

In this natural habitat of wild creatures and exotic floral species you will find a powerful solace. Your existence will be lost in the folds of time. The soothing rhythm of nature and tranquil vibes of the Pench National Park will cease the man-made time and you will be teleported to the setting of the real Jungle Book. You will see the mighty Sher Khan in every Tiger, and Kaa in every snake species. The numerous streams and rivulets leaping from Pench National Park will also blow your heart away. The entire park dances in the sweet and scary calls of the wild creatures. You must not miss this awesome wildlife destination to make some wild friends.

Let’s see some of the top 8 activities to do in Pench National Park-

Potter’s Village at Pachdhar

Runi jhuni nature walking trail, cycling tour to rukhad, visit to village haat, birdwatching, night safari, jungle safari, popular pench wildlife tour packages.

• Pench Weekend Tour Packages
• Pench Wildlife Tour with Tadoba
• Pench Tour with Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary

15km from Turia Gate is the forever enchanting Potter’s village which you must not miss if you are enjoying wildlife sightseeing in Pench National Park. It's one of the most popular tourist attractions to see in Pench national Park. Scenic village walks, interactions with tribal village people about their lifestyle and trying hands on pottery and other handicrafts will truly enrich your travel experience in Pench National Park. It is in fact one of the best things to do in Pench National Park.

Approx. 100 households are in the business of making earthen utensils and clay works. Almost every house in their village is painted with white and blue color. They have huge verandas for making earthen wares and clay utensils. The process of making is organic, without any use of mechanical excesses. You can buy souvenirs for yourself as a token of memory. Watching the potter's sit at their wheels making incredible clay works is a sight to behold. A jeep or a cycle ride to Pachdhar Village would be worth it if you want to experience something unique than any normal tourist activities.

Runi Jhuni Nature Walking Trail is one of the best tourist activities in Pench National Park, if you are a type of traveler who wants to enjoy the silence of nature. This enchanting trail starts from Karmajhiri gate which is the most amazing opportunity to observe wildlife and embrace nature from a close distance. The exotic floral and faunal species of the forests is the center of attraction of this nature trail. It will take 1-2 hours to explore the buffer zone of the park. Wild fowls, deers, langurs and varieties of birds will welcome you with their sweet yet notorious gaze. The tickets cost INR3000/-per person.

How would you feel if we say that you can enjoy the best wildlife holidays in Pench National Park not in a jeep but in a cycle? Isn’t it interesting? Not only is it a unique way to explore wildlife but also one of the top thrilling adventurous activities to do in Pench National Park.

With the fun of cycling amidst the wilderness and the thrill of spotting wild creatures from close, this cycling tour will fill you with delightful vibes. The exotic wildlife, floral species and gorgeous terrains of Rukhad forests which is a buffer zone of Pench National Park is a blissful sight to behold.

This guided cycling tour starts around 8am in the morning and finishes at Sakata Forest Rest House. The journey covers 22km. This ecotourism destination is one of the most popular places to see around Pench National Park which is teeming with exotic wildlife and beauty in abundance. Camping in tents at night here will add more thrill and delight to this trip.

The local villages of Vijaypani, Badalpar, Khamba and Belpath and weekly Haat bazaars offer unique experiences to the tourists which can never be found anywhere else. Village walking tour around Pench National Park is one of the must do tourist activities if you want to explore and learn about the unique culture and lifestyle of tribal people.   Villages have organic farms which offer organic fruits and fresh veggies to support the Haat. You will also get wide varieties of Indian spices which you can take home if you love to cook. You will be spellbound by the warm hospitality of village people. Some of them might welcome you for a meal or for a little conversation which would give you a glimpse of their culture, traditions, nature and lifestyle. It is one-of-a-kind experiences that will make your wildlife tour in Pench National Park more interesting.

Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Stargazing at Pench National Park is the best way to relax your soul. It is not possible to observe the beauty of stars at night in the cities as the pollution restricts and blurs our vision to embrace the shining night sky. You can get this chance at Pench Jungle Camp. The stunning milky way from the telescope will overpower your mind and senses. Try it once and you will cherish it as a memory forever. It is one of the best things to do in Pench National Park.

Pench National Park houses 285 species of resident and migratory birds which would be one of the best ways to enjoy your wildlife holidays here. In a jeep you will be transferred to Khoka lake which is a paradise for bird watchers. The dense jungle all around, mesmerizing sunset, sweet chirpings of birds and flat lands will take you to the wonderland of bliss. You will witness varieties of birds like Indian Pitta, Osprey, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle etc. to soothe your ears.

Spot amazing wild creatures like Jackals, wolves, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Sambhar deers and nocturnal birds etc. at night in the buffer area of Pench National Park in a Jeep. It is one of the best things to do in Pench National Park. The night Safari is conducted in a Wolf Sanctuary where you will witness a good population of Indian Grey Wolf. The safari only lasts for 2-3 hours but the experience you will get from this tour would be the best experience of your life. You will not be able to book night safari online, it can only be booked at the counter.

The best and the only way to explore the exotic wildlife of Pench National Park is the Wildlife Jungle Safari. It is one of the major tourist activities to do in Pench Tiger Reserve. Sights and sounds of wild creatures in their natural habitat would be an unforgettable experience. Lush palms, hibiscus, araucaria, small rivulets, streams and verdant forests all around would tickle your lens to capture amazing pictures. You will witness varieties of wild animals like Tigers, Jackal, Indian Bison, Jungle cats, leopards, palm civets, Indian civets, Nilgai, Sambhar deer, black bears, peacocks, gaurs, wild dogs etc. to quench your thirst for wildlife exploration.

Gates of Pench National Park

Pench National Park has 7 Gates and all the gates offer best wildlife sightings.

• Turia Zone - Famous for tiger and leopard sightings.
• Karmajhiri Zone - Known for enormous species of birds, Tiger sightings and wild dogs.
• Jamtara Zone - Very popular for sloth bear sightings and Banyan and Shindoori trees.
• Rukhad Zone - Buffer area - Very popular for Tiger sightings, Jamun, Bamboo and Arjun Trees, flowing streams, and lots of butterflies.
• Wolf Sanctuary - Known as Khawasa Buffer Zone. It is very popular for wolves, foxes and nocturnal birds.
• Sillari Zone - Popular for Garari, Bamboo and Teak Trees and it remains closed on Wednesdays.
• Khursapar Zone - Popular for Tiger sightings and bird species.

Safari Timings for Pench National Park

• Morning - 6:00 am to 11:00 am
• Evening- 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Best Time to Visit Pench National Park

Winter, which starts from November and ends in February is the best time to visit Pench National Park. The weather will remain pleasant for wildlife sightings and nature walks. During summer (March to June) the weather is harsh which makes sightseeing difficult for the tourists but it's a great time for Tiger sighting as they feel thirsty and come near water bodies to quench their thirst. The Park remains closed during Monsoon (July to September).

Pench National Park is indeed one of the best wildlife tourist destinations to enjoy the best of wildlife tourism in India. The sights and sounds of this natural habitat would definitely teleport you to the world of Jungle book. If you have any query related to Pench National Park Tour Packages and any other information then you can check our website and call us at +91-9212777223.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What are the top things to do in pench national park other than wildlife sightings.

• Village Walk
• Village Haat
• Nature photography
• Visit to Pachdhar Potter’s Village
• Boating at Pench River

What are the best places to stay in Pench National Park?

• Pench Tree Lodge
• Tiger N Woods Resort
• Pench Jungle Camp Resort
• Mahua Vann Resort
• Village Machaan Resort
• Tiger Valley Resort

How to book Pench Wildlife Safari?

You can call us at +91-9212777223 or fill-up enquiry form for all your queries and bookings related to Pench National Park. You have to book your wildlife Safari in advance.

What are the essential travel tips to follow for Wildlife Safari in Pench National Park?

• You must book your wildlife Safari and hotel online in advance.
• ID cards will be needed during the time of Safari booking and actual wildlife safari area.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that go well with the natural surroundings like earthy green clothes. Don’t wear shiny clothes.
• Carry proper woolen clothes if you are planning to visit Pench National Park in Winters.
• You must have caps, hats, sunscreen if you are planning a Pench National Park Safari trip in Summer.

What are the prominent Floral and faunal species of Pench National Park?

• Flora - Mahua trees, Palash trees, Teak trees, Neem, shrubs, fruit trees, Sal Trees.
• Fauna - Royal Bengal Tigers, Wolfs, Jackals, Gaur, Four-horned Antelope, Sloth Bear, Sāmbhar Deer, Leopards, black bears etc.

Popular Posts

Visit a Lesser Known Destination in Madhya Pradesh...

For Every Traveller: Top Things to Keep in Mind fo...

Top 10 Weekend Getaways around Pench Tiger Reserve...

Recent Posts

Gaze Into the Clear Skies At Pench Tiger Reserve- ...

Soar Through the Skies of Pench Tiger Reserve in a...

Viral Video Shows the Famous Tigress Roonijhuni Cr...

Select Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Canada Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea Korea Kuwait Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Netherlands) Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia & S. Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

Useful Links

• About Pench
• Safari Timing
• Best Time to Visit
• How to Reach
• Safari Zones
• Nearby Places
• Pench Tiger Tour
• Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Tour
• Pench Weekend Tour
• Pench with Kipling's Play Ground
• Pench with Tadoba National Park

Our Sales Office

C-81C, Sector-8, Noida

+91-120-4052611-98 (hunting lines)

[email protected]

Connect with Us

Pench National Park. All rights reserved. © 2024

• We Accept :

Pench Safari Timing

Introduction.

Explore Pench's wild beauty on thrilling safaris with Find My Holidays. Encounter majestic tigers and diverse wildlife in their natural habitat. Unforgettable adventures await!

Pench Tiger Safari Booking Form

Pench safari booking price / charges, pench jungle safari timing, pench safari zones and entry gate, hotels & resorts near pench national park, about pench national park.

Pench National Park, located in India, spans both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Famous for its rich biodiversity, it inspired Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book." The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, and a variety of bird species.

Pench National Park is the home to Bengal tigers, leopards, and diverse wildlife, it features lush sal forests, bamboo groves, and grasslands. Safaris offer an immersive experience in this Tiger Reserve.

General information

• Core: 411.330 Sq Km
• Buffer 768.302 Sq Km
• Total: 1179.632 Sq Km

Best Time to visit Pench

• The best time to visit the Reserve is 1 Oct to 30 June.

Flora & Fauna

• Pench National Park boasts diverse fauna, featuring Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Indian wild dogs, sloth bears, and a vibrant bird population, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Pench National Park's flora includes teak, mahua, and bamboo forests, along with various grasses and shrubs. The park's diverse vegetation supports its rich wildlife ecosystem.

Located in central India, Pench faces diverse weather including extreme tropical weather. Temperatures below zero and frost may occur in January. Monsoon usually arrives in mid-June. Average temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, providing diverse climatic experiences.

Connectivity & Distances

Nearest Airports: Nagpur and Jabalpur

Nearest Railway Stations: Nagpur, Jabalpur, and Chhindwara

Pench Tiger Reserve has 3 entry point in MP (Gate) namely Turia, Karmajhiri, Jamtara and 3 Entry Point in Maharashtra, Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli

Ghurri Barrier Gate

Nagpur (Via Seoni) – 278 kms

Raipur (Via Kawardha) – 213 Kms

Jabalpur (Via Kundam) – 181 Kms

This Website is managed by the Registered Tour & Travel Agency under the name of "Find My Holidays" which organizes Kanha National Park Tour Packages & Jeep Safari Packages. Connect to us for huge discounts in hotels and resorts booking near Gir Lion Reserve.

Latest Photo

Quick links, privacy policy, terms & conditions, refund policy, cancellation policy.

• Parent Website

Copyright © 2023 Find My Holidays. All Rights Reserved

• Find My Holidays respects your right to privacy. Any personal information that you share with us, like your name, date of birth, address, marital status, telephone number, credit card particulars and the like, shall be entitled to privacy and kept confidential. • Find My Holidays assures you that your personal information shall not be permitted to be used/disclosed, save for the purpose of doing the intended business with you, or if required to be disclosed under the due process of law. • Find My Holidays assures you that in the event of your personal information being shared with its subsidiaries, business associates etc., such sharing of information shall be for the purpose of doing the intended business with you. • Find My Holidays reserves its rights to collect, analyze and disseminate aggregate site usage patterns of all its visitors with a view to enhancing services to its visitors. This includes sharing the information with its subsidiaries, and business associates as a general business practice. • In the course of its business Find My Holidays may hold on-line contests and surveys as permitted by law and it reserves its right to use and disseminate the information so collected to enhance its services to the visitors. This shall also include sharing the information with its subsidiaries and business associates as a general business practice. • If you have any questions or concerns regarding your privacy issues, please do not hesitate to contact Find My Holidays at '[email protected]' • While Find My Holidays assures you that it will do its best to ensure the privacy and security of your personal information, it shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for any violation or misuse of your personal information by unauthorized persons consequent to misuse of the internet environment. • Cookies: To personalize your experience on our website or to support one of our promotions, we may assign your computer browser a unique random number called a cookie. Cookies enhance website performance in important ways like personalizing your experience, or making your visit more convenient. Your privacy and security are not compromised when you accept a cookie from our website. Find My Holidays does not use cookies to collect personal information. Cookies cannot read data from your computer’s hard disk or read cookie files from other websites. • Find My Holidays reserves its rights to revise this privacy policy from time to time at its discretion with a view to making the policy more user friendly. • By accessing or using this website, you acquiesce to the privacy policy and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the website use. • In the design of our website, we have taken care to draw your attention to this privacy policy so that you are aware of the terms under which you may decide to share your personal information with us. Accordingly, should you choose to share your personal information with us, Find My Holidays will assume that you have no objections to the terms of this privacy policy.

The Terms and Conditions set out below ("Conditions") apply to your use of this website and related websites, including the use of the information & services offered on the Site. In accessing and using the Site, you shall be deemed to have read each and all the Conditions without modification. If you do not agree, please cease use of the site and leave the site immediately. These Conditions must be read in conjunction with any other applicable terms and conditions governing the use of the Site. Site The information available on the Site is owned and managed by Find My Holidays, a firm constituted under the laws of India, and its subsidiaries, controlled entities, affiliates and related parties. Use of Site The services of this Site are available only to individuals who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law, and thus, are not available to minors. By using this Site, You represent that you are of sufficient legal age to use this Site and to create binding legal obligations for any liability you may incur as a result of the use of this Site. You also warrant that you are legally authorized to make the travel reservations and/or purchases for either yourself or for another person for whom you are authorized to act. You may only use this Site to make legitimate reservations or purchases and shall not use this Site for any other purposes, including without limitation, to make any speculative, false or fraudulent reservations, or any reservation in anticipation of demand. This Site is to be used by You for Your personal use only. Commercial uses of this Site are strictly prohibited unless prior written consent from Find My Holidays has been granted. You agree that You will not use this Site for chain letters, junk mail, spamming, solicitations (commercial or non-commercial) or bulk communications of any kind including but not limited to distribution lists to any person who has not given specific permission to be included in such a list. You / Site User agree to receive promotional, transactional and commercial communications from Find My Holidays, through email or SMS. Information You accept that all Information provided on the Site or any other material accessed through the Site including via any Linked Website is general information about Find My Holidays and is not in the nature of advice. You also accept that all of the Information is provided on an as is basis and to the extent permitted by law, is provided without any warranty, representation or condition of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise. You assume all responsibility and risk for your use of or reliance upon the Information and the Site or any other material accessed through the Site including via any Linked Website. Find My Holidays is not liable for any loss (direct or indirect) resulting from any action taken or reliance made by you on the Information or any other material accessed through the Site including via any Linked Web Site. You should make your own inquiries and seek independent professional advice before acting or relying on any such information or material. Find My Holidays may from time to time update, modify or add to the Information, including these Conditions and absolutely reserves the right to make such modifications without any obligation to notify past, current or prospective users of the Site. Unless otherwise specified to the contrary all new Information shall be subject to these Conditions. Find My Holidays does not guarantee that the Site will operate continuously or without interruption or be error free. In addition, Find My Holidays may also suspend or discontinue any aspect of the Site at any time without being liable for any direct or indirect loss as a result of such action. Trade Marks The Site contains Satpura National Park Jungle Safari logos, trade and service marks and devices (including the word Find My Holidays) and other valuable trade or service marks owned by or licensed to Find My Holidays to distinguish its offerings. These trade and service marks and related intellectual property are protected from copying and simulation under national and international laws and any reproduction or use of any of the contents of this Site without the express written consent of Find My Holidays is prohibited. Nothing contained on this Site should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right to use any of the Trademarks without the written permission of Find My Holidays. Copyright The information, text, graphics, images, sounds, links, modules and all other information and software published or otherwise contained in the Site Information are either owned exclusively by Find My Holidays or licensed by Find My Holidays and except as specifically provided in these Conditions may not be copied, distributed, displayed, reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means whether electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written approval of Find My Holidays. Without limitation you may not, without such approval from Find My Holidays, create derivative works from any part of the Site or commercialize any Information, products or services obtained from any part of the Site. Information procured from a third party may be the subject of copyright owned by that third party. Liability Disclaimer & Exclusion In no event shall Find My Holidays be responsible for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential loss or damage, however arising and whether in contract, tort or otherwise, which you may suffer in connection with or arising out of: * your use of the Site or any Linked Website; or * your use of or reliance on Information or any other material accessed through the Site including via any Linked Website; including without limitation, loss or damage by way of loss of profits, loss of business opportunity, business interruption or loss of information. These Conditions do not purport to exclude liability arising by any applicable law if, and to the extent, such liability cannot be lawfully excluded, however, to the extent permitted by law, all warranties, terms or conditions which would otherwise be implied into these Conditions are hereby excluded. Where applicable law implies any warranty, term or condition, and that law prohibits exclusion or modification of the application of or the liability of Find My Holidays under, any such warranty, term or condition, then the liability of Find My Holidays shall include liability for that warranty, term or condition but such liability will be limited for a breach of that warranty, term or condition to one or more of the following: if the breach relates to services, the supply of the services again or payment of the cost of having the services supplied again; and * if the breach relates to products and the products can be repaired, repair of such products or payment of the costs of having the products repaired, but otherwise, replacement of the products or the supply of equivalent products or payment of the cost of replacing the products or of acquiring equivalent products. Reservations The reservations feature of the Site is provided solely to assist customers in determining the availability of travel related services and products and to make legitimate reservations and for no other purpose. You warrant that you are at least 18 years of age, possess the legal authority to enter into the legal agreement constituted by your acceptance of these Conditions and to use the Site in accordance with such Conditions. You agree to be financially responsible for your use of the Site including without limitation for all reservations made by you or on your account for you, whether authorized by you or not. For any reservations or other services for which fees may be charged you agree to abide by the terms or conditions of supply including without limitation payment of all moneys due under such terms or conditions. The Site contains details of Package charges (including any available SPECIAL PROMOTIONS). Terms and conditions of booking are set out on the Site and payment will be in accordance with the procedure set out in such terms and conditions. No contract will subsist between you and Find My Holidays or any of its affiliates in respect of any services or products offered through the Site unless and until Find My Holidays accepts your order by e-mail or automated confirmation through the Site confirming that it has accepted your reservation, booking or order and any such contract shall be deemed to incorporate the reservation terms and conditions of booking. Any other relevant terms and conditions relating to particular services or products are set out in the Site. You undertake that all details you provide to in connection with any services or products which may be offered by Find My Holidays on the Site (including hotel room reservations) will be correct and, where applicable, the credit card which you use is your own and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of any services or products which you wish to purchase. Find My Holidays reserves the right to obtain validation of your credit card details before providing you with any services or products. Security & Non Confidentiality Find My Holidays does not warrant and cannot ensure the security or confidentiality of any information which you transmit to Find My Holidays. Accordingly, any information which you transmit to Find My Holidays is transmitted at your own risk. Governing Law & Jurisdiction The laws in force in India govern these Conditions and you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of India. In case of unavailability in mentioned hotels, alternate accommodation will be arranged in a similar category hotel.

In regard to refund of unused / unutilized services (which are paid for and cancelled in advance) the refund amount would be worked out on the basis of cancellation policy as described above and the money would be accordingly refunded to the person who has made the payment to us. Please note that the refund process may take 2 - 4 weeks due to banking procedures. If the refund is made to the credit card account OR to Bank account, the bank charges would be debited from the refund amount. Our Liabilities & Limitations : Please note that after the finalization of the tour/service cost, if there are any hikes in entrance fees of monuments/museums, taxes, fuel cost or guide charges by the Govt of India, the same would be charged as extra. Find My Holidays act only in the capacity of agent for the hotels, airlines, transporters, railways & contractors providing other services & all exchange orders, receipts, contracts & tickets issued by us are issued subject to terms & conditions under which these services are provided by them. All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants' safety, comfort & general well being. Our rates are based on the prevailing rates as negotiated by us with the hotels, airlines etc. Hotels and Airlines retain the right to modify the rates without notice. In case of such changes the rates quoted before the modification, can be changed by us according to the modifications by hotels or airlines. All hotel bookings are based on usual check in and check out time of the hotels until unless indicated in the itinerary. We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the programme or expenses incurred - directly or indirectly - due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accident, breakdown of machinery or equipments, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, political closures or any untoward incidents. We shall not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage to person, property, or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services, resulting - directly or indirectly - from any act of GOD, dangers, fire, accident, breakdown in machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, wars, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferages, epidemics, medical or custom department regulations, defaults, or any other causes beyond our control. We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accident, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country. All baggage's & personal property/s at all times are at the client's risk.

Policy Regarding Cancellation / No Show / Early Departure In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons we must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive letter in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows: 30 days prior to arrival - 10% of the tour cost. 15 days to 29 days prior to arrival - 30% of the tour cost. 07 days to 14 days prior to arrival - 40 % of the tour cost. 02 days to 06 days prior to arrival - 50% of the tour cost. Less than 48 hours or no show - NO REFUND. In case of peak season - weekends or weekdays (Holi, Diwali, X'Mas & New Year) hotel bookings separate cancellation policy is applicable (which would be advised as and when required). In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount that too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund. Find My Holidays reserves the right to change/modify or terminate the offer any time at its own discretion and without any prior notice.

Plan a trip to the Pench National Park: A Complete Guide 2023

This website contains no sponsored content. The content is written entirely on my own and is based on my personal experience and extensive research. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the  disclaimer  for more information.

A couple of weeks ago, I came back from the Pench National Park – one of the best trips of my life. Spending time at the Pench Tiger Reserve instilled a renewed sense of calm within me. To spend time away from mobile phones and the many screens that have taken up our personal space and to experience nature and the jungle life in its raw, unperturbed form was truly humbling.

But, after my safaris, whenever I would share my Pench National Park photos on various social media platforms, the one question that I used to get from a number of people was ‘how did you plan the Pench National Trip?’

So in this post, I will give you a complete lowdown on planning a trip to the Pench National Park. A trip to the Pench National Park can be undertaken from Nagpur. You need to book your stay near one of the gates of the Pench Tiger Reserve. You should also book your safaris and apply for the required permits, well in advance, to be allowed entry inside the Tiger Reserve.

In this detailed guide, I will give you all the information you need to plan a trip to the Pench National Park. I will include details on where to stay, how to reach Pench National Park, Pench Safari booking and plenty of useful tips based on my recent first-hand experience of Pench.

So are you ready? Grab a large mug of coffee or a tub of popcorn or just a big bottle of water (if you suck at hydrating yourself), brace yourself for a long read because this one article is all you need to plan the perfect Pench Tiger Reserve trip.

Basic Information about the Pench National Park

Where is pench national park pench national park is located in which state.

Pench National Park is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, close to the Maharashtra border. It is a part of the Seoni district and lies in the southern region of the Satpura hill range.

Honest confession: Until very recently, I used to think that Pench is in Maharashtra. But you could simply blame it on its proximity to Nagpur. And that brings me to my next piece of key information.

How to reach Pench National Park?

Nagpur is the closest major city to Pench National Park. Distance from Nagpur to Pench National Park is approximately 80 kilometres. Most major towns and cities in India are connected to Nagpur by air or train.

Travelling from Nagpur to Pench National Park is pretty straightforward. You can easily get a bus or a private car from Nagpur train station or Nagpur airport to go to Pench.

Most tour operators that offer Pench Safari package provide ex Nagpur services and arrange a pick-up and drop for you from Nagpur railway station or airport.

How many days do you need in Pench?

If you want to head out on the recommended minimum of 4 safaris while in Pench, you must stay in Pench for at least 3 nights and 4 days.

Who should visit Pench? What facilities are available at Pench?

Pench is a great travel destination for wildlife lovers as well as nature lovers. A trip to Pench provides a much-needed break to corporate employees, hardworking professionals, stressed students or overworked parents. It transports you right into the heart of a dense natural jungle where the selfish laws of the concrete jungle have no room.

Thus, essentially, Pench is a great tourist destination for all types of travellers. You can even take your babies and kids along with you if you are confident of preparing them well for the trip. Screaming and shouting can attract danger and disturb the wildlife.

The Pench National Park jeep safari takes you through rough forest roads and is usually not a comfortable journey. Hence pregnant women and those with a severe health condition should avoid visiting Pench. If you have back problems, you should carry enough back support to avoid aggravating your pain.

The facilities available inside the Pench National Park vary greatly based on which state you are in. The part of the Pench Tiger Reserve that lies in Madhya Pradesh is extremely well-maintained. There are plenty of clean toilets inside the designated waiting area of the jungle.

The forest staff takes abundant care to ensure strict compliance with the forest laws. This guarantees a blissful forest experience to the tourists that visit Pench Tiger Reserve.

However, the same can’t be said about the Pench national park area that lies inside Maharashtra. There are fewer toilets on the Maharashtra side, and hardly any are properly maintained. The jungle, too, does not feel as properly looked after as the one in Madhya Pradesh.

What is the best time to visit Pench National Park?

If you plan to visit Pench to see animals, particularly tigers, then the best time to visit Pench is during summer, i.e. between March and May, as animals often visit water bodies to drink water. However, if you want to enjoy pleasant weather, a cool breeze while observing nature and animal life inside the jungle, visiting Pench during the winter, i.e. between November and February, would be ideal.

In case you are planning to visit Pench during summer, please note that the temperatures can soar beyond 40°C, and you must carry enough fluids with you to stay hydrated. Wearing a cap is also non-negotiable.

How much does it cost to visit Pench National Park?

A visit to the Pench National Park will cost around INR 10,000-12,000 per person for 3 nights 4 days, assuming you book four safaris in the core area and stay in a good resort. The Pench national park safari price is approximately INR 1500 per person (inclusive of guide and vehicle charges), and accommodation (inclusive of all meals) in a good resort should cost you around INR 4,000 per night.

How to book a safari at Pench National Park?

A safari at the tiger reserve can be booked on the official website of the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh. The process of Pench tiger reserve booking on this website is as follows:

• Register yourself. Validate mobile number and email by OTPs.
• Add your bank account details
• Head to the ‘book safari’ section. 
• Select whether you want to book ‘full vehicle’ or ‘single seat’. Select the desired date and hit the search button. 
• Now you will see a screen with the number of available permits per gate and session displayed on the screen. 
• Select the desired gate and session and submit. 
• Now a tourist information page will open up where you will need to insert the details of all the tourists.

Important Tip: Make sure you do not make any errors in this form. The ID Type that you select here must be carried along with you at the time of safari. You will be denied entry if you do not carry the original ID proof or if there is any mismatch in the details entered at the time of booking and those specified on your ID proof. 

Save the permit confirmation copy and carry it along with you at all times. 

Repeat the Pench National Park online booking process for each safari that you intend to book. 

Similarly, if you wish to book safaris from a gate to the Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, you can visit the official Maharashtra Eco Tourism website and follow a process similar to the one specified above.

Now, if you find the interface confusing or need more guidance on Pench National Park safari bookings, you can book safaris through an agent and book a hotel on your own. Alternatively, you can book the hotel and ask the hotel to help you book safaris. Booking through an agent or hotel will involve paying additional charges.

It is best to book a Pench tiger safari yourself from the official MP forest government website. If you change your mind about the date, time or gate, you can also cancel the permit (i.e. safari booking) and rebook.

It is most important to note that only limited permits are issued per session, and hence booking the safaris about 30-40 days in advance is recommended. A facility to book Tatkal (last-minute) tickets is available on the website. But the chances of getting a permit are extremely low.

In addition to this, here are some more insightful tips on Pench National Park safari booking:

1. Safaris are undertaken in two sessions: morning and evening. Morning safaris tend to be for a longer period of time. Evening safari ride ends at sunset and hence is usually shorter, especially during winters.

2. Never book a permit that is not confirmed, i.e. one that is waitlisted. Waitlisted bookings rarely get confirmed.

3. Tatkal or last-minute booking is also available on the website. This booking is only available 1-2 sessions in advance, and the chances of getting a confirmed booking are slim. Do not rely on this booking method.

4. There is a limit on the number of permits issued per day. It is best to book your permits 30-40 days in advance to avoid disappointment.

5. The permit fee payable online does not include vehicle and guide charges. The rates (December 2021) for vehicles and guides are displayed below. They need to be paid at the time of entering the gates.

6. Safaris can get cancelled on account of climate conditions, conflicts in guide or driver unions, animals’ health, etc. It is best to be prepared for such disappointments.

[optin-monster-inline slug=”mga89iy6nbor2cufunm5″]

How many Pench National Park Safaris should you book?

To increase your chances of sighting tigers and other rare wild animals, it is ideal to book a minimum of 4 safaris in core areas. To diversify your experience, choose safaris from different gates and times.

In Madhya Pradesh, the popular core gates are:

Touria (the best gate for Pench National Park)

In Maharashtra, the popular gates are:

Where to stay in Pench?

Tiger N Woods is one of the most popular resorts in Pench. What’s really impressive about the resort is that it is affordable, well-maintained, right in the heart of Pench and showcases incredible hospitality. A booking at Tiger N Woods includes all meals. The resort also packs snacks for you to carry along with you on safaris.

Plus, it also hosts musical events and hosts nature trails. You can also see several rare birds during your stay here. Check out the latest prices and more details or read our full review here .

What is an ideal Pench itinerary?

An ideal Pench itinerary should be 3 nights and 4 days long.

Day 1: Reach the hotel and relax. Explore the nature around you. In the evening, head out on a safari.

Day 2: Head out on a morning safari and an evening safari.

Day 3: Head out on a nature trail. Relax at the hotel.

Day 4: Head out on a morning safari and check out.

To maximise your jungle experience, you can also book two safaris per day and skip nature trails or idle time inside the resort.

General guidelines for visiting the Pench National Park

1. Have all your main meals at the resort.

2. For safaris, pack light snacks. If you stay at a resort such as Tiger N Woods, the resort will pack a lovely picnic bag for you with snacks and a thermos.

3. Toilets are only available at designated halt areas. In the core areas of the jungle, there are absolutely no toilets. Make sure you limit your intake of fluids right before your safari. Visit a loo whenever you stop near one.

4. Tourists are absolutely prohibited from stepping outside the car while on the safari (except in designated areas) as it can prove to be extremely dangerous.

5. Avoid wearing bright colours. Stick to natural forest shades like green and brown.

6. Do not wear perfumes as the fragrance can attract wild animals.

7. Don’t forget to carry a cap or a hat and sunglasses.

8. In case you forget to carry water or other essentials, buy those at the entrance gate. Water bottles, jackets, binoculars and other safari essentials are sold at all the entrance gates of the tiger reserve.

9. Don’t travel only to see tigers. A safari offers a rare opportunity to observe many animals and birds in their natural habitat. You get a chance to learn about animal calls. You get to study the rules of the jungle. And above and beyond everything, you get to be a part of a world that’s completely raw and free of human intervention. Try to make the most of this experience instead of just focusing on tiger sightings!

I hope you found this article helpful for planning a trip to the Pench National Park.

Pin it for later!

You can read more articles on various Indian destinations here .

TOP TRAVEL RESOURCES

Here is a list of our favorite travel resources- the ones that I absolutely swear by when planning almost every trip. Go through this list to plan a hassle-free trip and save a lot of money!

Flight Booking: Check the availability of tickets, the best time to fly, and the cheapest fares on Skyscanner . You may also find a cheap flight via CheapOair

Accommodation: I absolutely love booking through Agoda . In most countries and particularly in Asia, I often find the best fares on Agoda. But I also love the no prepayment and no cancellation fee policy of Booking.com . For cheap accommodations and hostels, nothing beats Hostelworld .

Car Rentals: You may find and rent an appropriate car via RentalCars . It’s hassle-free and reliable.

Guided Tours: I absolutely love GetYourGuide for local sightseeing tours, walking tours, history tours, and food tours. The booking process is seamless, and the tours are super affordable. But in Asian countries, I prefer Viator or Klook for their affordably priced tours.

Lounge Access : Get Priority Pass – my personal favorite card that gives me unlimited access to premium airport lounges all over the world

Hey, if you found this post helpful, share it with more people or buy me a coffee !

A die-hard cricket fan since childhood with a special respect for Rahul Dravid, a singer who believes that the world would have been a much better place had Kishore Kumar still been alive and most importantly a travel enthusiast who is willing to take both short and long trips whenever possible and come back with a bigger heart and a memory card full of photo memories!

Similar Posts

Tiger N Woods Resort, Pench: Best Resort in Pench? (First-Hand Review)

While I was researching the best places to stay in Pench, I came across so many videos of bloggers…

How It Works

• Tell us details of your holiday plan.
• After you submit the form, one of our travel experts will get back to you with customised holiday package based on your requirement, within 24 hours.
• Grab the deal and start packing your bags for an indelible holiday with Tour My India.

Call Us for details

+91-9212777225

Request a quote.

North India

• Himachal Pradesh

Uttarakhand

• Uttarpradesh

South India

• Andhra Pradesh

Maharashtra

Central india.

• Madhya Pradesh
• Chhattisgarh

Union Territories

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Jammu Kashmir
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli
• Daman and Diu

Popular India Tourism Destinations by Interest

• Hill Station
• Yoga and Ayurveda

Adventure Tourism

• Motor Biking
• Peak Climbing
• Mountain Biking
• River Rafting
• Horse Safari
• Camel Safari
• Jeep Safari

Pilgrimage Tourism

• Christianity

Packages by State

• Jammu & Kashmir

Holidays by Interest

• Heritage Tours
• Ayurveda Tours
• Special Interest

Popular Tour Packages

• Golden Triangle Tour
• Classical India Tour
• Golden Triangle with Tiger Tour
• Sikkim Darjeeling Tour
• Frozen River Trek

Luxury Train Tour

• Palace on Wheels
• Heritage on Wheels
• Maharaja Express
• Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
• Buddhist Circuit Train

Special Packages

• Indian Wildlife Tour
• Temple Trails Tour India
• Buddhist Circuit Tours
• Himalayan Wonder

Fixed Departure Tour

• Chadar Trek
• Chopta - Chandrashila Trek
• Snow Leopard
• Dzongri Goecha La Trek
• Agra Hotels
• Jaipur Hotels
• Udaipur Hotels
• Manali Hotels
• Ladakh Hotels

Wildlife Resorts

• Ranthambore National Park
• Bandhavgarh National Park
• Corbett National Park
• Kanha National Park
• Pench National Park
• Tadoba National Park

Beach Resorts

• The Park Calangute
• Neelam the Grand
• Hotel Calangute Towers
• Alor Holiday Resort
• Lazy Lagoon Sarovar Portico Suites

Luxury Hotels

• Aman-i-Khas, Ranthambore
• Hyatt, Bangalore
• Hyatt Regency, Delhi
• Leela Palace, Udaipur
• ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

Top Weekend Breaks & Short Getaways Near Your City

• Weekend Getaways Delhi
• Weekend Getaways Mumbai
• Weekend Getaways Chennai
• Weekend Getaways Bangalore
• Weekend Getaways Nagpur
• Weekend Getaways Hyderabad
• Weekend Getaways Cochin
• Weekend Getaways Chandigarh
• Weekend Getaways Ahmedabad
• Weekend Getaways Pune
• Weekend Getaways Jaipur
• Flight Booking
• International NEW

International

• National Parks in India

Park History

Pench National Park was stated as a sanctuary in 1977, but in 1983, it elicited to the status of National Park. Later in the year 1992, it was recognized as PenchTiger Reserve, which covers 758 sq. km of area and the Pench National Park form the centre zone of the Reserve that covers 292.85 sq. km, and the Mowgli Pench Wildlife Sanctuary covers 118.30 sq. km of areas. A Buffer Zone formed by Reserve Forests, Revenue land and Protected Forests occupies 346.73 sq. km.

Pench National Park has splendid history. The depiction of its magnificence and natural wealth occurs in Ain-i-Akbari (Constitution of Akbar), which was a 16th century document written by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak (the Emperor Akbar’s vizier), recording the Akbar’s administration empire. Pench has inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the popular novel ‘The Jungle Book’. Above all, third part special Tiger of BBC ‘Spy in the Jungle’ was also filmed in Pench National Park, which was based on the growing of four Tigers in Pench.

Pench National Park is very rich in fauna and it’s an abode to a large number of endangered species. The most dominant predator is Tiger and there are around 25 of them in these prey-rich woodlands. There are some other predators like dhol (Indian Wild Dog), leopard, hyena, wolf, jackal and jungle cat. Some prey species observed in the park are sambhar, chital, gaur, muntjac, langur, wild boar, and rhesus macaques.  Commonly seen species are herd of deer.

There are more than 170 species of birds comprising various migratory ones like peafowl, crow pheasant, junglefowl, red-vented bulbul, crimson-breasted barbet, magpie robin, lesser whistling teal, racket-tailed drongo, egret, pintail, shoveler, herons to name a few.

As per the study in the year 1, 25 tigers were found under the umbrella of the park along with 39 mammals, 13 reptiles, and 3 amphibians. Aside from mammals and other land-based flora & fauna, the park is also rich in bird life. As per the evaluation of the wildlife authorities, 210 species of birds was observed in this park like munias, barbets, minivets orioles, bulbul, waterfowls, wagtails, mynas, and blue kingfishers.

Flora in Park

The park is blessed with rich and verdant forests, spread throughout the area of the National Park. Southern dry broadleaf teak forests are there, which blend with tropical mixed deciduous forests. The flora in Pench includes different kinds of shrubs, climbers and tress. It has some uncommon varieties of herbs with medicinal properties that are mentioned below:

Flora in Pench National Park

• Teak (Tectona Grandis)
• Saja (Terminalia Tomentosa)
• Bija (Pterocarpus Marsupium)
• Lendia (Lagerstroemia Parviflora)
• Haldu (Adina Cardifolia)
• Dhaora (Anogeissus Latifolia)
• Salai (Boswellia Serrata)
• Aonla (Emblica Officinalis)
• Amaltas (Cassia Fistula)

Wilflowers in Pench

In addition, bamboos are also there in some valleys and next to the water banks. The wilderness of the flora in this park is integrated with old Teak and Bamboo plantations.

Safari Timings

The Safari timing in Pench National Park is almost similar like other parks of the country. The entry and exit of the park vary as per the season. The best time to visit Pench National Park is between February and April. Due to the shorter duration of daylight in winters, the morning entry time is quite late and evening exit time is early. The National Park remains open for visitors from 16th October to the end of June and closed during the rainy season (July-October) every year. Early morning safari is the most worthwhile to spot tigers and other rare animals.

Winter Safari Timings

Entry: Morning Safari: 07:30 hrs Evening Safari: 15:00 hrs

Exit: Morning Safari: 10:30 hrs Evening Safari: 17:30 hrs

Summer Safari Timings

Entry: Morning Safari: 06:30 hrs Evening Safari: 16:00 hrs

Exit: Morning Safari: 09:30 hrs Evening Safari: 18:30 hrs

Activities to Do in Park

Pench National Park is popular for its wildlife and flora & fauna. There are many ways to explore the wildlife of forest. They are:

• Jeep Safaris
• Elephant Ride
• Bird Watching
• Jungle Walk
• Walking Safaris (12 km)

Tourist Attractions in Pench National Park

Sitaghat- This spot is winding path that is close to the bank of river Pench, speckled with rocks and artistic looking trees. During summer season, white flowers and bushes lope all along with bank. To view these flowers in full blossom, it is must to visit in the early morning hours.  The place also appears to be a splendid spot for wildlife sightseeing.

Alikatta- This place is another exciting attraction that has fascinating area of grassland, where animals are also observed.  In evening time, there is excellent view of grazing herds comprising of thousands of spotted deer. One can also enjoy elephant rides that begin from this place.

Chhindimatta Road- Journeying over rocky hills, it is considered as place of interest in the huge Pench reservoir. The rocky cliffs make tremendous places for leopards. Other species like Eagles, Buzzards, and hawks are observed looming over their nests.

Bodhanala Range- This area is worth sightseeing for visitors. It starts from slopy hill, bamboo forest to a huge pond close to the border of the park. It is a perfect area for raptors.

Above all, there are some other attractions to explore in Pench like Raiyakassa, Doob Road, and Kalapahad. Travelling to all these places give wonderful opportunity to come across huge herds and king of jungle.

Tourist Places near Pench National Park

There are some main tourist attractions nearby Pench National Park, which add more fun and excitement in trip. They are:

Bandhavgarh National Park- This park is 338.7 Km away (approx.7 hours) from Pench and it gives a wildlife retreat where nature and history meet together. Positioned amidst the Vindhyan hills, the park has a series of ridgelines successively running through it. The major attractions of the area are however in the heart of the Park with its 32 beautiful wooded hills.

Kanha National Park- Just 2 hours drive (136.5 kms) from Pench National Park, there resides Kanha National Park. Situated in the district of Mandia (Madhya Pradesh), the park is a Tiger Reserve that leads over 1945 sq. km of undulating country. It is an abode to over 1000 species of flower plants. It has important population of leopards, royal Bengal tiger, sloth bear, barasingha, Indian wild dog, etc.

Nagzira National Park- The wildlife of this park is sheltered in the arms of nature and festooned with a picturesque landscape and exuberant vegetation. Only 3 hours drive (176.5 km) from Pench National Park, this park is placed in the Bhandara district of Maharashtra. The small reserve is a vital corridor that connects central and southern forested areas such as Kanha Tiger Reserves and Tadoba-Andhari.

Tadoba National Park- Just 256.4 km away from Pench, Tadoba National Park lies in Chandrapur district of the north-eastern part of Maharashtra. Popular as ‘The Jewel of Vidharba’, this park is placed in the core of a reserved forest. The park is widely popular for its plants life and wildlife. It has tropical dry deciduous forest where teak is the dominant species.

Pench National Park is situated at 21° 40′ 17.76″ North and 79° 18′ 11.88″ East. The Pench land is surrounded with small hills and well-stocked teak mixed forest in the southern part of Satpura Ranges. The park has a tropical continental climate with distinct monsoons (July-September), winters (November-February) and summers (April-June). The altitude variegates from 425 to 620 meters above msl. The temperature of this region is 4°C in December and 42°C in May & June. Average rainfall is 1300 mm.

During summer, casual summer clothing of natural colors is perfect from March to May while from November to February, carrying warm apparels for chilly mornings and hazy evening is very important.

How to Reach

By Air- Nagpur Airport (88 Km) is the nearest one to reach the park. Other option is Jabalpur Airport, which is 200 km away from the park.

By Rail - The nearest railway station is Nagpur (90 km), well connected to all the cities of India.

By Road - Nagpur is 88 km away from Pench through Seoni (NH No. 7).

National Parks in Madhya Pradesh

• Panna National Park
• Madhav National Park
• Satpura National Park
• Sanjay Dubri National Park

Hotels in Pench

• Taj Baghvan Wildlife Resort
• Tuli Tiger Corridor
• Pench Jungle camp
• Mahua Vann Resort
• Tiger N Wood Resort
• Tiger Valley Resort

Pench Tour Packages

• Temples & Tiger Tour (11 Days)
• Classic India Wildlife Tour (28 Days)

Other National Parks in India

• Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
• Sariska National Park
• Rajaji National Park
• Bandipur National Park
• Nagarhole National Park
• Mudumalai Sanctuary
• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Arunachal Pradesh

• Namdapha National Park
• Kaziranga National Park
• Manas National Park
• The Palamau Tiger Reserve
• Nandankanan Zoological Park
• Chilka Lake, Puri
• Simlipal National Park

West Bengal

• Sunderbans National Park
• Gir National Park and Sanctuary

Uttar Pradesh

• Dudhwa National Park

Plan Your Trip

Request a FREE Quote

Pench Tiger Reserve: Safari Timings, Entry Fees!

Pench Tiger Reserve was established in 1977 as a wildlife sanctuary and later declared as a national park in 1983. In 1992, it became a part of the Project Tiger network and was designated as a tiger reserve.

Table of Contents

Pench Tiger Reserve covers an area of 741.41 sq km, out of which 411.33 sq km is the core area and 768.3 sq km is the buffer zone. The core area consists of the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the Mowgli Pench Wildlife Sanctuary. The buffer zone comprises reserve forests, protected forests, and revenue lands.

Why Pench Tiger Reserve is famous?

Pench Tiger Reserve is famous for its diverse and dense forests, which include teak, bamboo, sal, mahua, and other mixed deciduous trees. The reserve also has grasslands, hills, valleys, and water bodies that create a scenic landscape. The Pench River and its tributaries provide water and habitat for many aquatic animals and birds. The reserve also has several historical and cultural sites, such as the Kala Pahad Fort, the Chhindimatta Temple, and the Totladoh Dam.

What to See Pench Tiger Reserve?

Pench Tiger Reserve is a paradise for wildlife lovers and photographers, as it offers a chance to witness and capture the amazing wildlife of central India.

The reserve has more than 1200 species of plants, 285 species of birds, 50 species of fishes, 10 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, 45 species of butterflies, and 54 species of mammals.

Prominent animals that can be seen in the reserve are tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, jackals, hyenas, wolves, foxes, jungle cats, civets, mongooses, gaur, sambar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar, langur, rhesus macaque, porcupine, pangolin, honey badger, and flying squirrel.

Need to Know About Safari in Pench Tiger Reserve

The best way to explore and enjoy the wildlife of Pench Tiger Reserve is by taking a safari in an open jeep or a bus. The safari is conducted by the forest department or authorized operators with trained guides and drivers.

The safari takes you through different zones and routes of the reserve that offer different sightings and experiences. The safari timings vary according to the season and weather conditions. The safari fee includes the vehicle charge, guide charge, driver charge, permit fee, and entry fee.

Safari timings for Pench Tiger Reserve

Morning Safari: From October to February: 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM; From March to June: 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Evening Safari: From October to February: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM; From March to June: 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Night Safari: From October to June: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Safari fees for Pench Tiger Reserve

For Indians: INR 1500 per person for jeep safari; INR 120 per person for bus safari; INR 250 per person for night safari.

For Foreigners: INR 2500 per person for jeep safari; INR 1200 per person for bus safari; INR 500 per person for night safari.

Pench Tiger Reserve is one of the best places to visit in India for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. It offers a thrilling and memorable experience that will make you fall in love with the wilderness.

Shree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math: About, Booking Price, Accommodation!

Jagannath Mandir Puri Odisha: Darshan Timings, Entry Rules!

Kamakhya Temple (Guwahati): History, Timings, Best Time to Visit!

Wild Wadi Water Park (Ranchi): Tickets, Attractions!

Wonderla Water Park, Bangalore, Ticket Price, Timings!

Ocean World Water Park (Bhubaneswar): Ticket, Opening Hours!

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Ayodhya!

Ayodhya  Ram Mandir: History, Location, Opening Date, Photo!

Japanese Rose Garden: Timings, Ticket Price, Location!

Sitabuldi Fort: History, Entry Fee, Timings!

Gandhi Sagar Lake Floating Garden: Timings, Things to Do!

10 Essential Things to Do in Mumbai India

Top 10 Places to Visit in Delhi with Friends!

24 Fun Things To Do in Delhi – Guide to Exploring the Capital City!

Mukti Naga Temple: History, Timings, Pooja Details!

Places to Visit in Karnataka in January!

Best Places to Visit in Karnataka for Couples!

Avani Betta Trek: Exploring History, Timings, and Majestic Heights!

Mekedatu Falls: Timings, Best Time to Visit!

Kuruva Island (Wayanad): Ticket Price, Opening Time!

Kotilingeshwara Temple (Kolar): History, Timings, How to Reach!

Savandurga Hills: Timings, Entry Fee, Trekking!

Nandi Hills (Bangalore): Timings, Entry Fee, Nearby Places!

Akshardham Temple (Jaipur): About, Timings, How to Reach!

Tata Tea Museum (Munnar): History, Timings & Ticket Price!

Mata Matha Puri: Best Time to Visit, Nearby Places!

Pondicherry Tour Packages: Explore the French Riviera of India!

Guide to Coorg and Wayanad Packages from Bangalore!

How to Reach Hampi From Bangalore?

Kudremukh National Park: Timings, Trekking, Entry Fees!

Mullayanagiri Peak: Timings, Entry Fees, Trekking!

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary in Kozhikode (Kerala) Timing, Entry Fees!

Tali Shiva Temple: Timing, Entry Fees, How to Reach!

Waki Woods: Best Picnic Spot in Nagpur, Ticket Price, Timing!

Lake Garden Sakkardara: Relaxing and Scenic Spot in Nagpur!

Beypore Beach: Things to do, Location, Floating Bridge!

Kozhikode Beach: Timings, Location, Activities!

Places to Visit in Auli Uttarakhand

Top 10 Tourist Places in West Bengal

Kailash Temple Ellora: History, Photos, Tickets, How to Reach!

Bharat Mata Mandir Varanasi: History, Timings, Ticket Price!

Vashisht Temple Manali (Himachal Pradesh): Hot Water Springs!

Pelican Beach Maafushi: Affordable Guest House in Maldives!

Phamrong Falls: Places to See in Pelling!

Rabdentse Ruins: History, Architecture, Entry Fee!

Kanchenjunga Falls: Tourist Attractions in Pelling!

Rimbi Orange Garden: Entry Fees, Timings, Best Season to Visit!

Khecheopalri Lake: Must-Visit Pelling View Point!

Places in Pelling: Tourist Attractions of the Himalayan Paradise!

Sky Walk Pelling Sikkim: Ticket Price, Hours, Location!

Dragon Palace Temple (Nagpur): Ticket Prices, Address, History!

Chowmahalla Palace: History, Tickets and Hours, How to Visit

Khindsi Lake (Nagpur): Best Time to Visit, Timings, Activity!

Deekshabhoomi Stupa: History, Location, Entry Fee & Timing!

The Statue of Equality: Opening Hours and Tickets, Distances from Nearest Cities, and More

Atlantic Water World: Ticket, Timings, Location, Photos, Foods!

Rashtriya Dalit Smarak: Ticket, Timing, Location!

Okhla Bird Sanctuary: Ticket Price, Timings, Best Time to Visit!

Snow World Mumbai: Timing & Entry Fee, Activity, Location!

ISKCON Temple Noida: Timings, Ticket Price, Aarti Timings!

Kidzania Delhi (NCR): Tickets, Timings, Activities!

10 Reasons to Visit Baros Island, the Best Island in the Maldives for Couple

Winter Destination in Hyderabad: 6 Places to Visit with Tips and Info

10 Must-Visit Islands in the Maldives for an Unforgettable Vacation!

Top 10 Family-Friendly Places to Visit in Delhi: Fun Activities for Everyone!

Experience the Himalayan Beauty and Adventure in Sikkim and Darjeeling!

Top 10 Historical and Cultural Sites in India!

Salar Jung Museum: The World’s Largest One-Man Collection of Antiques, Timings, Tickets, and More

The Great India Place Mall: Destination for Shopping, Entertainment, and Dining in Noida!

How to Visit Golconda Fort in Hyderabad: Everything You Need to Know About the Historic Fortress

Worlds of Wonder Water Park (Noida): Ticket Price, Timings, Location!

Tulsi Smarak Bhawan Museum: Timings, Entry Fee!

Sita ki Rasoi: History, How to Reach, Best Time to Visit!

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi: History, How to Reach, Best Time to Visit!

Hanuman Garhi Mandir: History, Timing, Entry Fees, How to Reach!

Nehru Planetarium (Mumbai): Show Timings and Price, How to Reach!

Water Kingdom (Water Park): Ticket Price, Timings, Food Menu!

Kanheri Caves: History, Entry Fees, Timings, Waterfall!

Global Vipassana Pagoda: History, Timing, How to Reach!

Marine Drive in Mumbai: Location, Visit Timings, Entry Fees!

How to Reach to Charminar? History, Architecture, and Best Time to Visit

Hanging Gardens (Mumbai): How to Reach, Entry Fees, Timings!

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus: Architecture, Address!

Trip to Gateway of India, Mumbai: History, Timings and Entry fees!

How to Reach Elephanta Caves from Gateway of India?

Elephanta Caves: History, Ticket Price, Built by!

Wonder World Water Park (Puri): Entry Fees, Timings, Activities!

Visit Charminar (Hyderabad): History, Location, Entry Fees, and How to Reach!

Taj Museum: Timings, Entry Fees, Closed Day, What to See!

Listed 40 times as Top Travel Blog Of India!

Pench National Park: Travel Guide to Mowgli’s Home

Last Updated on July 6, 2023 by asoulwindow

Table of Contents

Guide to Pench National Park

I have done tiger safari in the Pench National Park several time and each time, I discover something new. Teeming with exotic wildlife and beauty in abundance, there is so much you can do at the very popular Pench National Park which lies in both Madhya Pradesh as well as Maharashtra . Top Things to do in Pench National Park includes tiger jeep safari, birdwatching, boating, walking, cycling, sightseeing and much more. Pench National Park is an amazing weekend destination from Nagpur. Most of the top places to visit in Pench National Park are anyways located very close to each other. Here is a complete guide to Pench National Park activities.

Next time some-one asks you to describe in detail your visit to Pench National Park also mention the activities you have performed, just share this comprehensive guide to Top Things to do in Pench National Park. This is the biggest guide to the best things to do in Pench National Park. So, what are some interesting facts about Pench National Park? Here is a ll you wanted to know about Pench National Park.

My Experience of visiting Pench National Park

I found a powerful solace after I returned from a tiger safari in Pench National Park. The tranquil vibes of the Pench National Park erased all my worries. As soon as I entered the Pench National Park, nervous spotted deer darted into the bamboo thicket even as a large herd of Indian Gaur grazed nonchalantly, only slightly agitated with us staring at them excitedly. They didn’t even look at us despite being so close to us.

I have visited Pench National Park several times. On all the trips, I have always spotted adult and sub adult jackal. On my last trip I saw 4 pups of jackal with their mother. Passing through the patrolling camps within the jungle, I noticed several other species of birds and animals such as Indian Pitta, Kingfisher, Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Crocodiles, Langur, Dhole, etc. Now you know why Pench National Park is so popular with wildlife enthusiasts.

The Safari experience has mostly been successful for me. I don’t call the safari successful only when I see tigers and leopards. Although I have seen leopards and 4-5 tigers (including cubs) within a day in Pench National Park, I get equally excited when I see the Indian giant squirrel or Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) jumping from one tree to another as the sun sets lyrically. This is why it is also called as the Flying squirrel. I am sharing my experience in detail in this most comprehensive guide to Pench National Park. This detailed travel guide on Pench National Park is an information packed travelogue based on what I experienced in the safaris.

Tiger Safari in Pench National Park

Can we see tiger in Pench? What are the chances of sighting tiger in Pench National Park? These are frequently asked questions. Yes, it is easy to spot Royal Bengal Tigers ( Panthera tigris tigris ) in Pench National Park. It was, at least during the several morning jungle safaris I did here.

The game of calls went for a long time. We even saw several Chitals gamboling around and the otherwise playful Hanuman langurs climbing up on the tree, looking visually disturbed. But tiger was nowhere to be seen. Then suddenly we realised, we are the only one in the area we were in. This means that the safari jeeps had parked themselves elsewhere in anticipation of a tiger sighting. We wheeled away at popular spots for tiger sightings and it turned out to be the right decision.

A female tigress was slowly moving around, with not a care in the world through far away thick jungle. The visibility was very clear because it was peak of summer when we saw her. Then she slowly emerged out of the woods into a clear pathway. Just before she moved away, she stopped to poop. Deepa told me that her name is Kalapahad. She was in her prime when I saw her and was trying to expand her territory.

After Kalapahad disappeared, we moved on to another spot known as Kuvanallah , Sapat . This is where another tigress with her cub had been spotted by some. More than the tigress, I was amazed by the beautiful landscape of this place . Small grassy hills interspersed with water bodies spread for as far as my eyes could see. From the binocular, I even saw an Indian Roller , unafraid of the tigers, goofing around with a wooden pole. I could even spot a herd of chital deer just few meters apart from the tiger family. Aren’t they afraid of the tigers or are they just not aware of their presence.

From the naked eyes, I initially thought that the deer were tigers. Because they stood even further away from where tigers sat and they have similar orange and white patches, I was confused. But then the real tiger appeared. There was a commotion at where the jeeps were parked. I reached out for binocular and saw a tiger cub appear out of a rocky shade. After giving darshan for some time the cub disappeared again. After few minutes, another cub appeared. This one gave us a longer appearance as he/she abled lazily towards the water body to drink water. This was the clearest view of the Tiger I got in this spot. After having its fill, the cub retired under a rock nearby. We waited and were rewarded with another tiger sighting. This time, another tiger appeared on the flat surface above the grassy knoll. It was raining tigers and we couldn’t have asked for more.

Both are the daughters of Bijamatta who was a famous tigress in the area we saw her daughters in. Now, she has moved away from that area. The first tigress we saw was Kalapahad and the second one was another of Bijamatta’s daughter with her cubs.

Pench National Park was declared as a sanctuary only in the year 1977. It was not until the year 1983, that it was announced as a National Park. It was eventually established as the 19 th Tiger Reserve area of India in the year 1992. No wonder, the population of Royal Bengal Tiges have only risen since then, thanks to all the sincere conservation efforts taken by the governments and forest officials.

Do visit Kuvanallah, Sapat for its ethereal beauty if not for tigers. Lush green meadows, blue skies, aqua water bodies and hilly terrains make Kuvanallah, Sapat one of the best places to see in Pench National Park. Do share this comprehensive guide to top things to do in Pench National Park with friends and family.

Spot Indian leopards at Pyorthadi

It was a heart pounding moment. I saw my first Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in wild on both the morning jeep safaris in Pench National Park. My naturalist Deepa told me that the rocky Pyorthadi area near the Junewani waterhole is known for its great leopard sightings on a regular basis. I wasn’t expecting much but I jumped off my seat when I saw hordes of people on jeep directing their telephoto lenses and binoculars towards a rock. Even my safari jeep driver, who was silent till now, got all excited when he spotted the leopard.

On the first day, I saw a leopard cub sleeping on a rock. Some people had also seen the mother of the cub walking away from the rock. The leopard sighting on the second day was way better. The (possibly same) leopard cub gave us a good look till we got bored. In no hurry to move away and unfazed with our presence, the leopard cub posed and preened lazily, while yawning and appearing half sleepy. “Really, what do animals even do all day? They have no other work than to just eat, sleep and breed.”, I asked myself.

On another occasion, many jeeps had parked at a dirt track. Almost all of them could see a leopard eating something in far distance. Despite several attempts with binoculars, I failed to see the other leopard. This leopard was sitting pretty far away, camouflaged by the brown woods. But I couldn’t ask for more as I saw 2 leopards on both days in Pyorthadi. Since, it was also my first leopard sighting in the wild, I was not being greedier. Now you also know why Pyorthadi is top place to visit Pench National Park.

It’s a small climb which goes up Pyorthadi from the picturesque Junewani waterhole. Even if I had not spotted any leopards here, the scenery of red soil interspersed with big rocky boulders, reminiscent of the boulders I saw in Lepakshi and Hampi are reasons enough to include Pyorthadi in your jeep safari. Deepa from Pugdundee Safaris, who accompanied me on the jungle safari also made me notice the colossal Ghost Trees and sparkling Salai Trees.

Dholes or Wild Dogs Sighting

“Dholes are even rarer than tigers both in numbers as well as the possibility of their sightings.”, said Deepa to a wide eyed me. No wonder, it was the first time I ever saw a dhole in the wild despite so many previous safaris. The other hired guide from the National Park wasn’t very excited and keen to ‘waste time’ here. And urged the driver to move ahead. I asserted that I sure want to stop for some more time looking at the dholes . “I don’t care if I don’t see a tiger today but I really do want to observe the behaviour of the dholes to my heart’s content.” I declared desperately as the driver switched on the engine. “Can you please shut down the engine, the dholes are far away and I am trying to take a sharp shot.”, I requested the driver.

Soul Window Moments  

Then magic happened. The pack of 7-8 dholes came running towards us in a walk dissimilar to the stray dogs or even the secretive foxes and jackals. I noticed that the dholes have a similar demeanour of hyenas. The same restlessness, the same boldness and the same lack of civilised behaviour. The dholes I saw were rough, quick moving and unafraid of human presence. I even saw 2-3 dholes fiercely chase away a Hanuman Langur up a tree. “Had they caught the langur, it would have been an unsightly event”, I imagined in horror. I don’t know why no one says this, but I find them very similar to the hyenas. Much like hyenas, the dholes also attack in packs and are ruthless in their hunting style. Even the big animals stay away from the dholes, thanks to their ‘uncivilised’ ruthlessness. I saw what they are capable of when they surrounded the langur from all corners.

The number of dholes who stay together as a pack can range anywhere from 7 to even 40 in rare cases. Though mostly clans between 5-12 members have been observed. Much like the bush dogs of South and Central America, the dholes also practise handstand urination when marking their territory. I noticed that suddenly some of the dholes started to poop right in front of our safari jeep. They were marking their territory. One of the dholes came right near our safari jeep and lied down on the ground and rolled playfully. Much like the African wild dogs and unlike wolves, dholes are not known to attack humans.

Dholes have been listed as endangered species on the IUCN Red List . Thanks to factors such as loss of prey, competition with other species such as leopards and tigers, habitat loss, kleptoparasitism, persecution by villagers due to livestock predation and diseases transferred from domestic dogs etc, the numbers of dholes are dwindling over the years. It was therefore heartening for me to see a healthy pack of 8 dholes actively moving from one corner to other. Also found in Satpura Tiger Reserve , Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka , dholes can also be spotted feeding on a sambar or chital carcass during the jeep safari.

Lacking a dominance hierarchy, the highly social dholes have many similarities with the African wild dogs in when it comes to their social structure. Dholes also find a mention in Rudyard Kipling’s Red Dog. It is a little-known fact.

Apart from India, dholes are also found in Central Asian nations such as Pamir Mountains of southern Kyrgyzstan , Pakistan , Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and other parts of China etc. Indian Dholes are also called as Indian wild dog, red dog, Asiatic wild dog, whistling dog and Asian Wild Dog. The scientific name of Indian dhole is Cuon alpinus .

Do safari in canter

Jungle Safari in canter is very common in Pench National Park. Suitable for large families, solo travellers, budget travellers, large groups of office colleagues and friends traveling together, canter van is a popular mode of transport within Pench National Park. During my tiger safari here, I noticed only 1-2 canter vans roaming around the jungle.

The advantage of canter safari is that it is low-cost. However, disadvantage of canter van is that you may not get a good vantage point or the driver may not stop for every little animal or bird you want to see. Another disadvantage is that the canter may not show you the hidden gems of Pench National Park. Canter Safari is the best thing to do in Pench National Park for budget travellers.

Hire a trained naturalist from Pench Tree Lodge

As we embarked upon the jungle safari, Pench Tree Lodge by Pugdundee Safaris also made sure that their in-house naturalist Deepa from Chennai in Tamil Nadu also accompanied us on all occasions, be it jeep safari or shooting in the underground Kipling Hide. I am glad it happened. Deepa, the naturalist from Pench Tree Lodge, Pugdundee Safaris, changed the way I looked at the jungle. Not only did she make me see the small details but also kept sharing interesting information on wildlife which I didn’t even know I should ask about. Erudite, English-speaking naturalists like Deepa are rare to find. Deepa had a ready reply on any question I asked about the wild.

What makes the naturalists of Pugdundee Safaris like Deepa different is that they are very observant, smart, well versed with the animal and plant behaviour and never shy away from any question. Deepa suggested me many books if I want to go deeper in my study of the wild. Though I feel, she herself is qualified to write a book on wild. And so were others from Pench Tree Lodge, whether it’s the manager Harish or assistant manager Shaan, each staff of Pench Tree Lodge is a treasure trove of knowledge.

Study Flora of Pench National Park

My naturalist Deepa from Pugdundee Safaris educated me about the local flora as we wheeled away inside the dense Pench National Park. Whether it is the invasive lantana species or the local mahua , teak, bamboo, ghost tree, crocodile tree etc, she shared some very interesting lesser-known facts about the trees and shrubs. The ghost tree I saw had a strange pink hue instead of stark white. Noticing my befuddlement, Deepa intervened, “The ghost tree changes bark every 4 months, that’s why we may see pale green, pink bark in different parts of the year.”

While driving in the core zone of Pench National Park, Deepa diverted my attention to a tree growing above a big rock. “It is known as rock fig . It grows on rocks.”, she said.  Also known as wild pipal, Indian rock fig, rock pipal or waved-leaved fig tree, people often mistake it with the peepal tree, commonly found in India. Though rock fig (Ficus arnottiana) and peepal (Ficus religiosa) may look same from a distance, they are very different.

On another occasion, Deepa made me appreciate the beauty of camel’s foot climber (Phanera vahlii). This perennial creeper of the family Fabaceae had entirely covered a tree in a beautiful jhalar like fashion. Native to the Indian subcontinent, thecamel’s foot climber may grow as much as 50 feet or 15 meters a year. Some people also eat its seeds after roasting. The bi-lobed leaf looks like a foot of camel, that’s why it is called so.

Just as we were leaving the jungle, Deepa asked the driver to stop. “That is a strangler Fig on your right.” The huge tree itself seemed like a matter of study to me. Unlike its civilized urban counterpart, the strangler Fig or wild banyan strangles its host tree as is commonly seen in the jungles of Central India.

Seeing our curiosity, Deepa added, “Strangler figs are hemiepiphytes , which means that they do not have roots in the ground in the initial part of their life. The seeds of strangler figs are often dispersed by various birds. Eventually they start to germinate in the crevices on the upper parts of the host trees. With time, the seedlings start to grown their roots and move downwards while also moving upwards, tearing the canopy, in search of sunlight. With time, the strangler fig ‘strangulates’ the host tree as it envelopes the latter from all sides. It is even common for the host tree to die after it is ‘strangulated’ completely.”

This is why I keep saying that the jungle is not always about the tigers only. The three types of forests found in Pench National Park are

• Southern tropical wet deciduous forest        
• Southern tropical dry deciduous teak forest        
• Southern tropical dry deciduous mixed forest

Some of the main trees and plants found in Pench National Park are as below:

• Strangler Fig
• Kahua (Arjuna)
• Camel’s foot climber
• lantana (invasive species)
• While kulu tree aka ghost tree

Learn about the invasive species

Over one third protected area of Pench National Park is dominated with dry mixed forests. Open forests of displaced areas of old villages also fell on our route several times during the jeep safari. During the jeep safari, Deepa showed me the undergrowth of lantana. “Lantanas are invasive species brought by the British as a decorative shrub. In Pench National Park, you can see lantana not only carpeting the forest ground but even climbing over trees as a creeper. Unfortunately, lantana can also be found entangled with other native plants.

Study Fauna of Pench National Park

Which animal is famous in Pench? Are there bears in Pench? Are there leopards in Pench? These are some very commonly asked questions. Pench National Park in central India is one of the best places for wildlife exploration because of the high density of animals and birds. It is very common to ignore the chitals or spotted deer when doing a wildlife safari. But how much do we really know about chital?

Here is an interesting fact about the deer. Do notice the salt licks or chattan , the white and cratered patches of earth when you go on a jungle safari next. This moon-like soil has a high calcium content which attracts various species of deerwho sniffs it out and then lick to grow their horns. In Jim Corbett National Park, I saw similar scenes of deer perched atop a vertical mountain to lick off its minerals.

Mammals found in Pench National Park

You can expect to spot below mammals in Pench National Park:

• Palm civets
• Jungle cats
• Black bears
• Indian civets
• Sambhar deer
• Nilgai or blue ox
• Royal Bengal Tigers
• Dholes aka wild dogs
• Gaurs aka Indian Bison
• Four-horned Antelope or Chousingha
• The Indian giant squirrel or Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) . It is also known as Flying squirrel.

Birds found in Pench National Park

As many as 325 different species of birds have been recorded in and around the biodiverse Pench National Park.

Some of the birds found in Pench National Park are as below:

• Indian roller
• Indian Myna
• Ashy Drongo
• Spotted dove
• Magpie robin
• Common Iora
• Crow pheasant
• Red junglefowl
• Grey junglefowl
• Asian flycatcher
• White tailed iora
• Red-vented bulbul
• Southern Coucal
• Brahminy Starling
• Grey bellied cuckoo
• Indian pond heron
• Black hooded oriole
• Common kingfisher
• Racket-tailed drongo
• Lesser whistling teal
• Spot Breasted fantail
• Black naped Monarch
• Oriental Magpie Robin
• Peacocks and peafowl
• Chestnut tailed Starling
• White breasted waterhen
• Crimson-breasted barbet
• Chestnut shouldered Petronia aka Yellow-throated Sparrow

Migratory Birds

• Ruddy shelduck
• Whistling Teal

Is there elephant in Pench National Park?

Surprisingly, there are no elephants in Pench National Park. This was confirmed by my naturalist Deepa. You may sadly see some domesticated elephants, which is sad. Animals like elephants, I feel belong in the wild and must not be domesticated.

Mud Puddling: Learn about the butterfly behaviour

While my eyes were hungrily looking for the big cats , Deepa made me appreciate the smaller details we often miss despite spending hours in a forest. Near a water body, Deepa made me notice a large congregation of Lime butterfly (Papilio demoleus) and common emigrant butterfly (Catopsilia Pomona) . Thanks to its habit of its habit of migration, common emigrant butterfly is called so. It is found in Asia and even Australia .

Deepa told me, “Also called as chequered swallowtail, lime swallowtail and lemon butterfly, lime butterfly is called so because they choose the leaves of citrus trees as the host tree for laying eggs. Their caterpillars/larva thus feeds on leaves of citrus plants.” These are lesser-known amazing facts.

Deepa further asked me to notice the behaviour of the butterflies. She added, “You can see the male common emigrant butterflies doing mud puddling, a process which helps them obtain minerals from the soil. Later, they pass on the minerals to female while mating.” During mud puddling, butterflies as well as many other insects uptake amino acids and sodium from the mud. They may do so even from dung and urine of mammals or even from decaying flesh . It is more commonly seen in the post-monsoon season in India.

A little ahead we saw a large group of male Swordtail butterflies doing mud puddling as well. Swordtail butterflies get their name from the “tails” on the back edge of their wings that look like a sword. “Nothing happens without a reason in the jungle”, I ruminated as we resumed our pursuit of the big cats.

Birdwatching in Pench National Park

There are as many as a whooping 210 species of resident and migratory birds in and around Pench National Park which is a paradise for bird watchers. While doing jeep safari, we saw many birds such as the grey hornbill. We saw Indian gray hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) several times during the safari, flitting from one branch to another. On another occasion, we noticed crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) on one side of the road and changeable hawk eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) on another side. It is also known as the crested hawk eagle .

In fact, a hyper rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) was fighting off the changeable hawk eagle who rather looked unfazed. A little ahead we saw a cute pair of half sleepy mottled wood owl (Strix ocellata) perched atop a tree. Well camouflagedbehind the leave sand branches, theygroomed each other without a hurry. Mottled wood owls are a large species of owl. We probably saw a fleeting glimpse of a flying mottled wood owl during night safari in Tadoba National Park as well.

Deepa further made us notice, “That is a Brahminy starling (Sturnia pagodarum) from the Myna family. It looks like common myna or Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis) but it’s different. In a beautiful pond, she diverted our attention to another bird, “That is an Asian woolly-necked stork or Asian woolly neck (Ciconia episcopus). Its appearance is like that of a coat of lawyer, which is why it is also known as lawyer bird.

Birdwatching at Kipling Hide of Pench Tree Lodge

I have done bird photography from a hide in many places such as Shitlakhet of Almora and Sattal but never before had I seen a professionally designed, underground wildlife photography hide as I saw right behind my tree house in the luxurious Pench Tree Lodge. Hides are man-made concealed areas where photographers are able to stay close to the wild birds and animals by ‘hiding’ themselves from their view. This helps in achieving amazing images and videos of wildlife without disturbing them.

I think it is a genius idea by Pench Tree Lodge management to keep our eye level aligned with the anticipated movement of the birds by making an underground hide instead of a building above the ground. The unique eye-level perspective from a close distance made it all the more worth it to stay here from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. daily since both of my safaris were in morning. Now you know why Pench Tree Lodge is easily the best hotel in Pench National Park .

While doing bird photography in the underground Kipling Hide of Pench Tree Lodge, I found it easy to train my telephoto lens on the birds which appears suddenly, flits around, bathes in the artificial pond and flies a way in a jiffy. Pond not only serves the purpose to attract animals and birds but it also helped me achieve reflection images of birds such as fantail from the eye level. During my 6 hours of two days which I spend in hide I saw many birds coming to the water, to either drink or bathe. Now you know why birdwatching is easily the best thing to do in Pench National Park.

Some of the birds I saw and clicked from the Kipling Hide are:

• Indian pond heron in breeding plumage
• Common Iora (white tailed iora is very rare to spot)
• Oriental Magpie Robin male and female (male is darker)
• Asian flycatcher (We also saw male Asian flycatcher who has a longer tail)

We also saw ground skimmer , a variety of dragonfly. Naturalist Deepa from Pugdundee Safaris who always accompanied me on all the sessions in the hide, asked me to use the bean bags kept on a side for a better stability for my DSLR camera . I was delighted that the mere use of bean bag made a huge difference to the sharpness of the images. This is why, you should always use bean bags for stability of camera.

It is surely the most unusual underground wildlife photography hides in India or elsewhere which I have seen. What’s more, they even had arrangements of fan, tea, water etc in the hide. It felt like I am entering the underground bunkers of Jaswantgarh war memorial near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh . I was able to stay close to the wildlife safely and discreetly.

Not only does the Kipling hide serve as an observatory for those who are keen to deeply study the behavioural patterns and movements of various species of endemic birds, but it is also a great way to bring down your carbon footprints. I didn’t really drive anywhere for photography in the hide. I merely walked out of my room to enter the Kipling Hide. What better way to do sustainable, greener and low impact engagement with the wildlife than to experience the wild from a close distance in a in vehicular alternative? You may even want to stay in Pench Tree Lodge for a longer duration and document/record the natural behaviour of animal and bird species and their interaction with each other.

Birdwatching at Kohka Lake

During the walk around the periphery of the vast Kohka Lake, I spotted many birds such as spotted owlet, crested serpent eagle, oriental white eye, Indian Pitta, osprey, grey-headed Fishing Eagle, ashy-crowned sparrow lark, ashy prinia, Tickell’s blue flycatcher, Kingfishers, lesser whistling ducks, spot billed duck, red vented bulbul, Common hawk cuckoo, ruddy shelducks and Indian roller or Neelkanth . Some wildlife properties arrange for a jeep ride to Kohka Lake and even a high tea by the lake. I had enjoyed breathtaking views of a mesmerizing sunset from the Kohka lake as I returned from the walk around the dense jungles nearby. We had to cross Touria village and some other small villages to arrive at Kohka Lake. I did birdwatching in Kohka Lake in evening. You may also end up watching wild boar rooting in the swampy edges of the pristine Kohka lake.

Catch a Jungle cat at the Kipling Hide

Even if a rare appearance of leopard or any big cat happens, I will be safe inside the hide. On a rare occasion, a leopard was also seen drinking water from the artificial hide which was built by the Pugdundee Safaris management to attracts birds, animals, insects etc. The rare jungle cat is a regular visitor here. In fact, they had spotted a jungle cat early morning by the pond in the live CCTV in the reception area.  I was unable to see the jungle cat from the hide as I was away doing early morning jeep safari in Pench National Park. “The jungle cat usually visits the Kipling Hide at around 7 a.m, in the morning.” Harish told me as I waited for my safari jeep at 4 a.m. The good part is that I did have a good look at the jungle cat during the night safari in Tadoba National Park on the same trip.

Visit Totladoh reservoir

Totladoh dam is a great place for not only picnic but also birding. The gravity dam on the Pench river attracts many migratory birds during the winter months , i.e. November, December, January and February. You can spend half a day at this lesser-known tourist attraction of Pench National Park. It is an ideal place to bond with your friends and family. Do carry your DSLR camera and telephoto lens if birdwatching attracts you.

Feel the jungle

I found my peace while I was driven through the natural habitat of wild creatures in a jungle full of exotic floral species and water bodies. The soothing rhythm of nature calmed me as I discovered new facts about the jungle. It is one of the major tourist activities to do in Pench Tiger Reserve . Whether it is experiencing the sights and sounds of wild creatures in their natural habitat or admiring the visually delightful landscapes of this beautiful forest, there is never a dull moment here. The jungle is easily the best place to visit in Pench National Park.

Runi Jhuni Nature Walking Trail

Just as I entered the Karmajhiri gate of the Pench National Park from the nearby Pench Tree Lodge, where I was staying, a signboard vied for my attention. For a reasonable fee, you can walk around the marked trails inside the designated spots of Pench National Park and observe the local fauna and flora from a close distance. The offbeat Runi Jhuni nature walking trail begins fromthe Karmajhiri gate. Expect to spot some species of deer, wild junglefowls, Hanuman langurs and a plethora of exotic bird species .

It is equally thrilling to observe claw marks left by animals like sloth bears on the trees. Animal poop, alarm calls, animals tracks and even tiger pug marks are commonly observed during the walking trail. Apart from observing the plant life closely, you can also expect to see wild boars, red jungle fowls, Hanuman langurs, chital and exotic species of colourful birds during the nature trail. It sure is one of the best offbeat things to do in Pench National Park.

The Runi Jhuni nature walking trail, which is accessible from the Karmajhiri gate, spans 3-4 kilometres and lasts anywhere between 1.5 to 2 hours. It is mandatory to hire a local guide appointed by the government. Located within the Pench National Park, this is the closest engagement with the wild you can do. Not all national parks allow to walk in the jungle. However, Deepa, the naturalist from Pugdundee Safaris who accompanied us for jeep safari said, “Tiger movement has been observed in this area since last few days, therefore it is indefinitely closed.” This is why you must ask around, if the Runi Jhuni Nature Walking Trail is open or not. Pench Tree Lodge conducts the Runi Jhuni nature walking trail and their package includes transportation, all taxes and guide charges as well.

Explore Kohka Lake

Walking along the shores of the placid Kohka lake is therapeutical. Some luxury hotels can also arrange for a high tea by the lake upon request during sunset. Having a high tea by the lake is the best offbeat thing to do in Pench National Park.

At times, tigers have been spotted around the Kohka Lake as well. Walking around the huge Kohka Lake is one of the best tourist activities in Pench National Park. I did birdwatching around the picturesque Kohka Lake.

Night Safari in Pench National Park

Night Safari is easily one of the top thrilling adventurous activities to do in Pench National Park. It is a very unique experience not available at other national parks of India. More than spotting the wild animals , it is the feel of the jungle in the night which makes it once in a lifetime experience . The thrilling night safari can only be booked over the counter and not online. You can even spot Royal Bengal Tigers, leopard and sloth bears during the offbeat night safari in Pench National Park like my friends did.

During the night safari in Pench National Park, you can expect to spot several nocturnal birds such as the nightjars . Mammals like wolves, nilgai, Indian wild hare, spotted deer, gaurs, wild boars, jackals, sambhar deer , various snakes, spiders and unique frogs are also commonly seen during night safari in the buffer zone of Pench National Park. What made night safari a really thrilling experience for me is the fact that it gave me deeper insights into the nightlife of animals, birds etc and their behaviour. Wild creatures like owls, civet cats, hares and porcupines etc are active after dark only.

However, the most thrilling experience is when you see an elusive civet cat, jungle cat, tiger or even leopard during the night safari in the buffer zone of Pench National Park in a safari jeep. It is also possible to see the rarely seen Indian Grey Wolf in the Wolf Sanctuary. Wolf movement is commonly observed in some areas around the dense green forest .

The duration of the night safari is between 2 and 3 hours. Night Jeep Safari timings in Pench National Park are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Night safaris take place in the buffer zones of Turia gate as well as the Karmajhiri gate , both of which I have entered. The Kumpani Tikari Buffer Zone is also very popular. The 30 kilometres long track kms passes through hilly areas and straddles between the buffer and core zone. The beautiful Pench River also lies on the way.

Night safari is the best thing to do in Pench National Park. You may also want to read about my very successful night safari in Tadoba National Park where I saw my first civet cat and jungle cat.

Stay in the luxurious Pench Tree Lodge

Where to stay in Pench National Park? Pench National Park is easily one of the best wildlife resorts in Pench National Park . I have stayed in many places in Pench National Park and I conclude that the architectural wonder that the Pench Tree House is, it is one of the best places to stay in Pench National Park. I remember attending Satte Awards few years ago when Pugdundee Safaris were awarded as the best in their category. Now I know why. They have 7 luxurious properties (and growing) in 6 National Parks of India viz Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Satpura, Panna and Tadoba.   

Staying in Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba National Park and Pench Tree House in Pench national Park on the same trip was such a pleasure. From great food to luxurious amenities, big wide spaces to in house naturalist, this award winning Pugdundee Safaris has everything going for it. I sure want to come back for more. Pench tree lodge near the Karmajhiri gate of Pench National Park is easily the most unusual place I have ever stayed in. Perched atop stilts, this ultra luxurious tree house is built with the robust Sal wood. Located in the Sarahari village of Pench, there are no second thoughts that Pench Tree House indeed is the best place to stay in Pench National Park.

As I left the Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba National Park , I took a 5-hour long cab ride on smooth roads to arrive at the breathtakingly beautiful Pench Tree Lodge. It was a childhood fantasy for me to be able to stay in a tree house . Built entirely out of sal tree and stone, the huge tree house at the luxurious Pench Tree Lodge are the stuff dreams are made up of. Perched atop stilts, a live tree is incorporated in the design of most of the 6 tree houses scattered around 40 acres of wilderness.

Crashing on my King Size bed with a huge variety of pillows and mosquito net for the cover was comforting after a 3-4 hours long Tiger safari in Pench National Park. The cozy room of Pench Tree Lodge is dream like. Whether it is the lovely sit out area overlooking the dense forest or the tall ceilings or the writing desk, located right next to the huge balcony, each aspect is tastefully done. The room also has plug sockets compatible with international devices which I was carrying with me. The safari themed décor, furniture and local crafts made it stand apart.

Since this tree house is constructed entirely out of dark sal wood, the floors are also wooden. But it is a different kind of wooden. Instead of the thin wooden tiles which we are accustomed to, the dark wooden floors here are kept as natural as possible. It felt like I was actually walking on a wooden log, thereby keeping me in harmony with the nature. What’s more? The balcony of the tree house is equally entwined with nature. Some of the tree houses here a live tree piercing through the balcony and the entrance (like mine did). I brought alive the Mowgli in me as I rested on one of thick stems of the tree in the balcony. You sure want to call this unique Mowgli den your home for a few days.

“In night, you can also expect to see civet cats right in your balcony.” Shaan, the assistant manager told to an excited me. When I arrived in the sprawling property, Shaan had escorted me to my room and also briefed me about the various features of the room. Harish Arya, the manager, casually told me, “The CCTV within the property caught a tiger cub in the camera few days ago. He/she was sitting around the parking area. Even a leopard was spotted drinking water from the artificial pond in front of the Kipling hide.” The rooms even had a Fire exit for emergencies.

Special mention must be made about the tastefully done washrooms of the Pench Tree Lodge. It surely is the most luxurious and aesthetically beautiful washroom I have ever experienced in the many luxury hotels I have stayed in so far. I loved the attention to detail. From luxurious bath fittings, chick blinds, aromatic toiletries to mood lighting and provision for natural sunlight made me want to spend more time in the classily done bathroom. Even the peg for hanging clothes which had animal faces was carefully selected. In fact, I spotted several exotic birds right from the window of the washroom of Pench Tree Lodge.

Branches of trees touch the window, ensuring you are never away from the jungle. The shower area is separated from the washbasin and WC area with a glass wall. What I loved about the shower area was the heavy stone slab beneath my feet. To be able to take shower above a natural stone slab made me feel more connected with the mother earth , a feeling I never got bathing above the tiles. You may miss it while staying at the Pench Tree Lodge but if you pay attention to details, you will realise the conscious efforts which have been taken by the management to keep the tree house as natural and organic as possible. This, without compromising on the comfort or luxury. What’s more, they have even placed a chair by the window in the washroom. This was a first as well. The bedroom and the washroom areas are separated with a small vestibule with luggage racks, wardrobes, lampshades and a section for the coffee tea making machines.

About Pugdundee Safaris

Apart from Pench, Pugdundee Safaris also have hotels and resorts in other tiger hubs such as the nearby Tadoba National Park , Kanha National Park, Satpura National Park , Bandhavgarh National Park and Panna National Park . Their tree houses in Bandhavgarh and Pench National Park are an architectural wonder and are thus very popular with nature lovers . I have stayed in the tree house in Pench National Park and it was an experience like no other. In fact, you can club both Waghoba Eco Lodge (Tadoba) and Pench Tree Lodge on the same trip like I did. They are just 5 hours of cab ride apart.

Stay environment conscious

What I loved about the Pench Tree Lodge was the fact that they are sincerely committed to keep their carbon footprint to the bare minimum. All Pugdundee Safaris properties take environment, sustainability and the aversion to overcrowding seriously. Their sincere commitment towards environment and conscious luxury is also why they keep winning so many awards. The recent awards won by Pugdundee Safaris are ICRT Awards 2022 & Outlook Indian Responsible Tourism Awards 2022.

I observed that there is more wild grass and wide-open fields here than buildings. Spread across 40 acres of wilderness, staying here is akin to staying in a jungle. This ensured that I spotted several colourful birds while merely going to their restaurant from my Tree House. This luxurious hotel in Pench National Park is completely in tune with nature which is a rarity. You can even book an in-house nature trail at Pench Tree lodge.

Admire the landscape of Pench National Park

Words fail to describe the scenic beauty of Pench National Park. The numerous water streams, verdant forests and rivulets which dot the landscape of the Pench National Park are reasons enough to pay a visit here. There was a place near the centre point of Alikatta, which I had christened as the golf course of Pench National Park. Despite being wild, this area, full of grassy knolls and water bodies, looked like a manicured golf course. We also drove parallel to the backwaters of Pench river on many occasions. Waterfalls, rock pools and streams are a constant companion here.

Even if you fail to see a tiger , you must enjoy your wildlife holidays here, appreciating the stunning landscape of Pench National Park. River Pench, the lofty Satpura range, large swathes of land carpeted with fallen dry leaves of towering teak and dry deciduous forests make Pench National Park a visual stunner.

Spot snakes and other reptiles of Pench National Park

I have spotted keelback snake in both Kohka lake as well as around the premises of the Pench Tree Lodge by Pugdundee Safaris. The fast-moving keelback snake is locally known as aka dhoriya. AsI was strolling within the sprawling Pench Tree Lodge, a long reptilian creature whizzed past me in a hurry. Earlier I thought its some large variety of skink.

Deepa corrected me, “It is a Buff striped keelback snake (Amphiesma stolatum). They are not venomous andfeed mostly on small insects, toads and frogs.” Closely related to the water snakes and grass snakes, the Buff striped keelback snakes are harmless and not a threat to humans.

I also spotted the stunning looking Rock Agama or red headed agama (Agama agama) several times within the property premises. It is commonly found across India. The red head and the black body give the rock agama a beautiful appearance. We also saw a huge Indian monitor lizard during the safari in Pench who tried to fool us by camouflaging himself/herself with the bark of a tree.

Enjoy local cuisine of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

I am a fan of Maharashtrian cuisine . This is why it delights me when some properties serve authentic local food such as Jhunka Bhakhari and the very spicy thecha (chilly chutney). Local deserts such as Puran poli and tilli gujhiya and Shrikhand left me begging for more on previous trips here.

For lunch, Chef Pankaj Fulera at the Pench Tree Lodge served us a special thali known as the ‘ Panch Gaon Andar ’ Thali. The dishes in this elaborate and healthy thali consisted of dishes made in the home kitchens of villages located within a radius of 50 kilometres from Pench Tree Lodge. For dinner, we had a Burmese Khowsuey and an elaborate candle light farm dinner (read more about it in this blog).

The menu of Panch Gaon Andar thali consisted of:

• Chatpata salad
• Fresh Potato chips
• Moong Daal ko pakodi
• Corn paanka (corn tikkis)
• Laal saag or Chaulai saag
• Glueberry pickle or lasoda achaar
• Gawar fali ki sabji or cluster beans
• Dal Bafouri (prepared with moong daal )
• Bhune lahsun tamatar ki chutney (tomatoes and garlic roasted in charcoal)
• Lapsi ( Aata halwa cooked with jaggery)

New age dieticians such as Rujuta Divekar has inspired me to eat seasonal locally available, fresh and sustainably sourced food. I was glad that the Waghoba Eco Lodge is committed to serve exactly such food. In the books of Rujuta Divekar, shehas also warned against consuming packaged food, refined food and food which has added colours, excess salt, artificial flavours and additives. Thankfully, Pench tree house, much like Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba stays away from all of this. All the dishes cooked here are made from scratch from the locally sourced raw ingredients.

When you stop at the canteen for a loo break and breakfast, do not forget to taste the ‘famous Alu Bonda of Alikatta’ from the local cafeteria. They also serve tea, pakoras etc. I found the shaded seating arrangement of the otherwise al fresco dining area comfortable despite traveling here in the hot month of June.

Indulge in a bar

Is liquor allowed in Pench National Park? While liquor and any form of alcohol is not allowed to carry inside the core zone of Pench National Park, you may enjoy it at a licensed restaurant around the forest. Many hotels like Pench Tree Lodge have an in-house bar that lets you select from a wide range of alcoholic drinks. Pench Tree Lodge also had a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails.

Do a candle light farm dinner

On the first day itself, we indulged in the candle light farm dinner organised regularly at Pench Tree Lodge. This al fresco dining under the stars takes place right next to the large kitchen garden of the property. Besides a romantic candle light dinner, I also enjoyed sampling authentic dishes from Madhya Pradesh such as desi alu (potato dish), dal barbati (Yard long bean) etc. Other dishes served in farm dinner are Angari Alu, Ajwaini Daal Barbati, Garden Salad, Corn Bharta, Paneer Tikka etc . All the dishes are cooked live in the unique black clay ovens and pots. It reminded me of black pottery of Ukhrul from Manipur which is also known as Longpei (Nungbi) pottery practised by the members of the Tangkhul community.

And do not miss the Dobri Mahua Kheer for dessert. In this unique sweet dish, Mahua flowers are cooked with rice pudding. You can’t get more local than this! The al fresco bar is creatively set up on a traditional bullock cart , lighted with village style laalten or lantern around it.

Cycling in Pench National Park

A wildlife holiday in Pench National Park is incomplete without cycling. Much like I enjoyed cycling around Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand , I was delighted to see many properties in Pench offering cycling facilities too. Tourists can hire a cycle and explore the surroundings at their own whims and fancies and pace. Cycling amidst the wilderness is appreciated by those who value silence and tranquillity.

The best part is that cyclists are allowed to stop at various points if they want to spot birds and animals. The months of November, December, January, February and March are better suited for cycling, thanks to the pleasant weather. Although I enjoy cycling in the early morning and evening in the summer months as well.

Visit Rukhad Sanctuary

Not many people know that Rukhad Sanctuary lies in the Kanha-Pench Tiger Corridor. It is a lesser-known fact about Pench National Park. It is possible to spot chitals, langurs, gaurs, sloth bears, Royal Bengal Tigers and even leopards playing hide and seek in the predominantly bamboo and teak forests.

In my opinion, it is a great idea to go cycling in Rukhad forests known for its exotic wildlife , a variety of floral species and scenic terrains . Rukhad forests lie in the buffer zone of Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh . You can embark upon the 22 kilometres long guided cycling tour at around 8 a.m. in the morning. The cycling tour typically ends at around 12 p.m. the Sakata Forest Rest House . This is surely one of the best offbeat things to do in Pench National Park.

On request, Pench Tree Lodge by Pugdundee Safaris regularly organises cycling and jeep safaris to Rukhad Sanctuary. Pench Tree Lodge and Rukhad Sanctuary are just 45 minutes of drive apart. Breakfast is served before the cycling expedition begins and lunch is served at the historical Sakata Forest Rest House. You can also do a jeep safari here between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Stop at Sakata Forest Rest House

Located within Rukhad Sanctuary, Sakata Forest Rest House merits a visit for its unique architecture and colonial history . Constructed in the year 1903, Sakata Forest Rest House will transport you to an era when the British ruled India . The tiled roofs and pillared open verandah of Sakata Forest Rest House look like perfect melange of British and local architectural styles. Some tour operators also organise camping and trekking expeditions from Sakata Forest Rest House. The 3 Forest Rest Houses are located in Turia, Karmajhiri and in the centre of the Pench National Park. There is no separate entry ticket here. It is the free thing to do in Pench National Park.

Stay in the middle of the jungle

Can you stay inside Pench National Park? Yes, if you fancy staying deep inside the jungle surrounded by pitch dark wilderness, then you must book one of the official accommodation facilities available at the Rukhad Forest Rest House, Karmajhiri Gate and Ghatkohka. You can make an advance booking of the stay over phone and email. Your tour operator may also be helpful in booking the same for you. The Field Director of Pench Tiger Reserve however, reserves the rights of reservation. Staying in the jungle is absolutely the most thrilling thing to do in Pench National Park. Do carry a torch, water, snacks and mosquito repellent before arriving here because not many facilities are available in such remote locations . 

Machan Watch: Climb atop a watchtower

It is in fact one of the best things to do in Pench National Park. There are various machans or watchtowers installed across the Pench National Park by the forest officials. You may want to stop at some machan and wait for the animals and birds to appear. Since, the viewing platform is located on a raised platform, it offers sweeping bird’s eye views of the forest and surrounding areas. These machans are a major tourist attraction in Pench National Park.

Go on Nature Trails

You must go with a government appointed guide for safety concerns. I noticed small details such as quick sand, insects mating, webs of spiders, camouflaged moths, forts of termites and nest of ants as I walked above the large carpet of dried teak leaves, secretly anticipating a tiger popping out of the woods and locking eyes with us. 

Night Jungle Walk and morning trekking in the green jungle is also offered by some tour companies in Pench National Park.

Learn about medicinal plants

Some hotels of Pench National Park also take guests on medicinal tours where they explain about how the local adivasis or tribal people use the local plants and shrubs for medicinal purposes .

Relive your childhood with stories of Mowgli and Jungle Book

Just as I entered the premises of Pench National Park, I was teleported to the setting of the real Jungle Book, engulfed in the world of Mowgli, Bagheera, Kaa and Sher Khan etc.

Soul Window Memories

On every Sunday, I grew up religiously watching the animated version of Jungle Book on Doordarshan in the glorious 90s. Even after so many decades, we all remember the ‘ Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai, Pata Chala Hai’ song verbatim. Even after so many decades, I still play the jungle book song sometimes on YouTube for guaranteed goosebumps. This song makes me emotional, more now than when I was a child. Now, I always fail to sing this song without a nostalgia laced lump in my throat. Perhaps, because it also reminds me of my lost childhood and the other things from that era which I loved and lost over the years. If this is not the epitome of nostalgia, then what is?

And who can forget the moment when the frame freezes while Mowgli sitting atop Bagheera and accompanied by his cheerful adoptive wolf parents, gallop in front of the full moon ? But then the lyricist for this song, Gulzar has always aimed for the nothing less than the moon.

This is why for the 90s kids, it is a special moment to visit the Pench National Park. It was thrilling for me at least to be able to pay a visit to the actual jungle which inspired Rudyard Kipling to write”The Jungle Book”.

It is said that the pamphlet “An Account of Wolves’s Nurturing Children in their Dens” by William Henry Sliman . Inspired the character of Mowgali. Another account says that the semi-autobiographical ‘Seonee’ by R.A. Strendale inspired the Jungle Book.

In fact, in the year 1831, the news of a child who grew up with wild wolves in village Satbavadi near Seoni (earlier Seonee) spread like wildfire (pun not intended). For perspective, Rudyard Kipling wrote jungle book in the year 1894.

You can still visit the actual places in the Seoni district which were mentioned in the Jungle book. Foor example, the mountain ranges of village Kannivara and Sivani actually exist and so does the Vainganga River and its valley where the character of Sher Khan was killed.

During our special lunch (more on that in the food section of this blog), my friend Ami made me observe the beautiful paintings of Mowgli and other characters from the Jungle Book on the walls of the restaurant of the Pench Tree Lodge.

Go on an educational tour

Educational tours for school going kids are arranged on a regular basis in Pench National Park. While I never had this opportunity in my childhood, I feel engaging kids with wildlife at a young impressionable age is important. Not only will it educate the kids about the other animals, birds, insects and plant lives we share this planet with but it also sensitises them towards other living beings. As a parent, you must encourage your kids to participate in educational tours to Pench National Park and elsewhere.

Visit Kalapahad

Located on an elevated land, Kalapahad is where you can tear off to Chhindimatta in one direction and Alikatta in other direction. Kalapahad is popular with wildlife enthusiasts and adventure lovers alike. As per a signboard by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board,

“ Kala Pahad or Black Mountain is an outstanding mountain of black, brown rocks. Such rocks are only found in Ireland in Europe , which are millions of years old.” (sic)

Kala Pahad is a popular picnic spot and a nice tourist place . Located in a secluded place away from the crowds, it is one of the top offbeat attractions of Pench National Park. Tourists come to Kala Pahad to see its very unique patterns. Formed entirely of black and brown rocks, it is one of its kind of a place in India. You can also trek up and visit a Shiva temple on the top.

The rocks here appear as if someone is hired to cut them into pieces with sawing machines. From Kala Pahar, you can also enjoy breathtaking views of the green valley and towering mountains in the far distance. Kala Pahad is also the highest point in Pench.

Visit Junewani Waterhole

The unexplored Junewani Waterholeis located near Kala Pahad. This visually stunning pond is frequently visited by tourists in search of wildlife. Even if you do not see any animal or bird here, rest assured that the visually stunning reflections of dead and alive trees here will compensate for the same.

Visit Baginnalla waterhole

Baginnalla waterhole is one of the best places to visit in Pench National Park. Surrounded with Acacia Catechu trees, Baginnalla waterhole is famous for sightings. Enjoy the sweeping views of vast scrublands, small water streams and mixed vegetation as you drive around in this area. Baginnalla waterhole, JodaMunara and Pyorthadi are also located nearby.

Camping in Pench National Park

Some people also do camping in tents at night. Though it adds more thrill and delight to the Pench National Park trip, but it is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you can rough it out in the jungle in pitch darkness, go for it. Yayy or nay, Overnight Camping sure is one of the most adventurous things you can do in Pench National Park. Though some tour agents also add bonfire as well as music to the overall camping experience, I am wary of it. As a responsible traveller, I firmly hold the view that fire and music should be kept away from the jungle.

The campsites in Pench National Park are mostly surrounded by dense forests and sometimes even a lake (which means that wild animals are nearby). Tour agents who organise overnight camping with activities at Pench also offer village walking, temple visits, trekking, nature walks, village walks, jungle safari and other thrilling things to do in their package. You can also play cricket/badminton or just lazily lie in the hammock all day.

Plan an offsite in Pench National Park

I am wary of big groups coming to eco sensitive places such as Pench National Park. However, if done responsibly, corporate houses can plan a very unique offsite in the hotels and resorts of Pench National Park. Many hotels offer team-building exercises and facilities which are ideal for an offsite.

Explore the tribal haat or village bazaar

After leaving the Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba National Park, as we were approaching The Pench Tree Lodge near the Karmajhiri gate of Pench National Park of Madhya Pradesh , we made a quick stop at a place known as Suktara for snacks etc. I noticed a haat where local people sold things on a raised cemented platform. These haats or weekly markets are very commonly seen around Pench National Park. Suktara is hardly 15-20 minutes of cab ride away from the Pench Tree Lodge. These traditional tribal haats are a must-visit place to see near Pench National Park.

For an immersive experience of the local tribal culture , do visit haat in the local villages of Khamba, Badalpar (Thursday), Belpath (Sunday), Chakkikhamari (Monday) and Vijaypani (Tuesday) etc. These villages are located very close to Pench Tree Lodge and they can arrange for a visit here on request. Vijaypani, Belpath, Badalpar and Chakkikhamari are located merely 3, 6, 10, 12 kilometres away from Pench Tree Lodge respectively.

Keep your eyes peeled for unique spices and condiments which you may have not seen elsewhere. Indigenous crafts and locally made products are also sold in haat . You may even want to pack some for back home. Mahua related products are also commonly sold in such weekly haats . Also commonly sold are the organically grown fruits and fresh vegetables, sourced from the nearby villages which have organic farms. You must take a self-guided free walking tour in the haats around Pench National Park.

Do Wildlife Photography

You can not go to a wildlife destination and not come back with amazing wildlife images. I at least can-not. In case you have the DSLR but not the telephoto 100-400 mm lens, then I would suggest that you hire one like I do these days. The difference it can make to your wildlife photography makes it worth it. I find wildlife photography very frustrating but equally rewarding. You can check out my wildlife photography on my other blogs on wildlife as birdwatching in Sattal , Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary , the adventurous snake trail in Agumbe , the kangaroo paradise of Tidbinbila Nature Reserve . I also got some great images from my visit to the Kidepo Valley National Park and Bwindi Impregnatable National Park.

Soul Window Wildlife Photography Tips

While doing wildlife photography , I always ask the driver to shut the engine of the safari jeep (this may be tricky in a canter). The shake caused by the engine, can blur the pictures. I understand the excitement you feel when you see the tiger . But whenever possible, I try to calm myself (I know not easy) and even hold my breath before I go trigger happy. Even a small shake of the breath can blur the image. I also use bean bag for camera whenever possible for sharp images. And always-always shoot on the burst mode when doing wildlife photography in Pench National Park or elsewhere.

I carried my Go Pro to all the safaris in Pench National Park but soon realised that Go Pro doesn’t work well in safaris because the zoom is not good enough. Thankfully mobile phones are allowed inside the Pench National Park, therefore I was able to take good Vlogs from it. If not professional level, then at least recording workable footages from mobile camera is possible during a safari in a jungle. However, the ideal way to shoot videos inside a jungle is using DSLR camera or even more upgraded equipment but that’s not possible always due to fast movement of animals and birds and the constant shaking of jeep. Carrying small bean bag for camera (like I did) may help to some extent.

Elephant safari

I am against elephant safari for many reasons. First of all, I believe that an elephant you can touch is not a happy elephant. Also, you don’t need to be an Einstein to imagine what 5-6 adults sitting atop a flat surface on the curved back of the elephant for 3-4 hours will do to the spine of elephant. Besides, I have also seen mahaouts ill-treating the elephants by beating them and chaining them all day long. This is why please avoid elephant safari if it is offered to you.

Relax, unwind and rejuvenate

If you have had more sightings than what you had anticipated (like I did), then you may just chill and use the time to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. It is not every day that we get such quality time to spend with ourselves and our loved ones? I feel that the low internet network in most of the places around Pench National Park is a great excuse to connect with more important things such as spending time with loved ones, reading, playing games etc.

The surroundings of Pench National Park are so calm and serene that it served very well for a yoga session. You can do yoga right in the spacious balcony of the cottages or tree house of Pench Tree Lodge. You must carry Yoga mats or check with your hotel if they can help you with the same. Since Pench National Park is a quick and easy weekend break from Nagpur, you can plan a yoga and safari holiday here soon. Yoga is the most unusual thing to do in Pench National Park. But, why not?

Do meditation

My room at Pench Tree Lodge was so silent and peaceful, that I was tempted to meditate here. Occasional chirping of birds was the only sound I could here from the balcony of my tree house. You could easily sit for hours here, close your eyes and meditate for spiritual elevation .

Enjoy a swim

If you are traveling to the Pench National Park in summer then you must dive into the tastefully done swimming pool of the Pench Tree Lodge. Located right next to their large restaurant, the swimming pool here is the best way you can beat the heat and spending some quality time with your loved ones during the hours you are not heading for a jungle safari. Do carry your swimming costumes with you. And open shower, wash basin, recliners and toilet are located right next to the restaurant. This is one of the best things to do with family and kids in Pench National Park.

Trek in Pench National Park

Jungle trek is another major attraction of the Pench National Park. You must keep your thirst for adventure alive by doing some treks in and around Pench National Park. Jungle trek is another prominent attraction of the Pench National Park. Wade through the thick forest of Satpura, as the expert local guide escorts you through the tricky pathways. You must not try to trek inside the forest solo as it is easy to get lost in the jungle. Also, special permission from the forest officials must be taken before embarking upon a trek in the jungle. The local guides are also well aware of the special zones and what to expect there. The guides are also trained to take you to places which are most rich in biodiversity.

Stargazing: Top Thing to do in Pench National Park

Thanks to the lack of pollution and absence of skyscrapers in the around the Pench National Park, I noticed that there are more stars here than what I am used to see in the big, bad cities of India. Several properties in and around Pench National Park have the facility to engage their guests in astronomical explorations. The best astronomy sessions are done of amavasya or new moon day when the sky is the darkest. The stunning milky way from the telescope is not to be missed. In fact, you can also try astronomy photography aka astrophotography , or astronomical imaging , here. For sure, stargazing is one of the top things to do in Pench National Park.

Try your hand at pottery

It was fun trying my hand in the courtyard of a local potter in the famous Pachdhar village near the Turia gate of Pench National Park. Though I didn’t succeed making a single object out of the clay despite several attempts, but it was fun dirtying my hands. What better way to get an immersive experience in the local culture of the place by entering their homes and participate in activities which provide them livelihood. Nevertheless, we ended up buying some tea cups and other artefacts from the same person whose house we visited. It is satisfying to buy directly from the potters which adds to the local economy.

As I walked around the potter’s village, I was told that as many as 100 households practise pottery here. During the village walk, I could see many local villagers deeply involved in making earthen utensils and clay works. Watching the potter’s sit at their wheels making incredible clay works was a revelation. While some villagers make their aesthetic earthen wares and clay utensils in their spacious courtyards, other practise the ancient art in their huge verandas. No mechanical tools are used to make these hand-made organic earthenware.

Visit Pachdhar village

I highly recommend a jeep or cycle ride to Pachdhar Village, if you want to go off the touristy trail in Pench National Park. The picturesque village walks in the Pachdhar village gave me ample opportunities to interact with local tribal village people and gain new perspectives about their traditions, rituals and lifestyle.

While taking a leisurely stroll around Pachdhar village, I noticed that almost every local house in this quaint village is painted with white and blue colour.

The Pachdhar village is located around 15 kilometres away from the Turia gate of Pench National Park. Being one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pench National Park, Pachdhar village is a must-visit place.

Visit a Gond Temple

While returning from the jeep safari in the Karmajhiri zone of Pench National Park, we stopped midway at the authentic Gond temple. It has no side or entrance walls except for the back wall and roof perhaps more due to the paucity of funds than architectural style. No idols were worshipped here. All I saw were a bunch of trishul (trident) like spears in a rectangular cemented bed. Lemon was pierced into the top of most of the spears.

It was a very unusual sight. I have travelled solo across India since 2008 but I have never seen a temple such as this one. If you know more about the Gond temples, do let me know in the comment section below. This experience sure is a far cry from the other normal tourist activities in Pench National Park. We also saw the Kumba Baba Temple of the Gond tribe deep inside the forest when we entered the core zone from the offbeat Karmajhiri Gate. Gond temples are counted as offbeat places to visit in Pench National Park. I would have missed it had I not been alert and adamant. H idden gems like these must be explored by the discerning travelers.

Visit Kuwara Bhivsen

Called as Gond Devsthan, Kuwara Bhivsen is located beside the bank of Pench River near Nagpur. People visit Kuwara Bhivsen for both its spiritual significance as well as scenic beauty. No wonder, Kuwara Bhivsen is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. You can also visit a beautiful hilltop Shiv Mandir, located beside the river. Nice panoramic views from here are an added bonus. This place is also surrounded by greenery which attracts many birds and animals as well.

Visit a Gond Village

While returning from the Safari in Pench, I, Ami and Deepa stopped at a unique Gond village known as Sarrahiri . In fact, the Pench Tree Lodge is also located within the Sarrahiri village. The local people here are very welcoming and even allow you to visit their homes, with permission. Just a small conversation with a local Gond lady in her home gave me deep insights about the traditions, culture, lifestyle and economics of Gond people. She even allowed me to see her home from inside. Beautifully carved wooden doors and windows , simple one storey traditional architecture of her home and lack of much furniture made me realise that we actually need very less than we think we do.  She also showed me a cot she had woven by herself in beautiful patterns and colours.

Village walking tour around the Karmajhiri and Turia gates of Pench National Park is a must do tourist activity, if exploring and learning about the lifestyle and unique culture of tribal people excites you. Gond villages are one of the most popular tourist attractions to see around Pench National Park.

Why Gond people paint their house in two colours? Most of the Gond houses I visited were painted in white in the lower part and blue or green on the upper part. I was told that, “It is painted so in order to spot an insect or small reptiles easily on the lower portion of the house.” These Gond villages are some of the lesser-known tourist places around Pench National Park.

Learn about the Gond Tattoo

Wearing anklet and colourful bangles, the above-mentioned lady also proudly flaunted tattoos on her legs and hand. She told me that the Gond men don’t do tattoos. Locally they call it Godna .

Soul Window Connections

It reminded me of my meeting with tattooed Upper Nocte women of remote Lazu village in Arunachal Pradesh in North East India . Since childhood, she has been wearing tattoos on her body. Much like the women of Lazu village on the border of India and Myanmar , the tattoos of women from Gond villages of Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in Central India also has specific significance.

While some tattoos may be curative in nature, other tattoos are done at various milestones of life of Gond women such as puberty, marriage and childbirth. These are exactly the same reasons why Nocte women and Wancho women of far-away Arunachal Pradesh tattooed themselves.

Isn’t it strange that two separate tribal communities at two corners of India tattoo themselves for the similar goals. The tattoos of Gond women hold immense ritualistic significance and powers of healing . But much like the Wanchos and Noctes, the younger generation of Gonds are also shying away from tattooing themselves as they leave the village and search for jobs in bigger cities.

Learn about the Mahua economy

The same old Gond woman we met in Sarrahiri village was deshelling mahua seeds as she talked to us. The brown hard shell was separated from the white part which is valued at the market. Deepa told me that, “they roast mahua seeds and make oil out of it. After deshelling, the woman will sell it in the market and add some income to her household.” Mahua is a major source of livelihood for many Gond people and others who live around Central India. In fact, so entrenched is mahua with the collective local culture that several songs, poems and stories themed around mahua have been written.

Deepa further told me, “When mahua starts fruiting, they collect the fruit and sell it after deshelling. May and June are the months when you can see local people collecting mahua seeds in the fields. They also make local liquor out of mahua flowers . During the flowering season in late March and April, the local people collect the flowers, dry it, put it in water and let it ferment before making the final alcoholic beverage.” So irresistible are the flowers of Mahua tree that it is eaten by several mammals and birds too. Now you know why mahua tourism is a major attraction in Pench National Park.

Appreciate Warli Art

Warli Art is an ancient art form of Maharashtra. It is common to see Warli Art painted on some of the walls of luxury hotels and resorts in Pench National Park. The good part is that local talents are hired to make these visually delightful paintings, mostly in the combination of white and red. In fact, they can teach you ropes of Warli painting too upon request. Some hotels can arrange this for you. Warli art workshops are some of the top things to do in Pench National Park.

Excursions: Go off the touristy trail

There are many popular tourist places and excursions from Pench National Park. I have written about these in more details on my comprehensive blog on Tadoba National Park . Below are the top popular and offbeat places to visit near Pench National Park:

• Hirapur Dolmen
• Ramdegi Temple
• Ramtek Garh Temple
• Suresh Chopane Rock Museum
• Doctor APJ Abdul Kalam Garden
• Sevagram Gandhi Ashram

Explore Pench Dam and Reservoir aka Kamthikhairy dam

Kamthikhairy dam which is popularly known as Pench Dam and Reservoir offers beautiful views. Tourists can even do boating here. You can hire either a Motor boat or a paddle boat here. Situated in the west range of Pench National Park, near Parshivni in the state of Maharashtra, it is a must-see place.

The earthfill dam was built in order to facilitate irrigation and supply water to Nagpur and Bhandara, 2 nearby districts of Maharashtra. Kamthikhairy dam is located merely 54 km north of Nagpur. Tourists and local people from across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh can regularly be seen enjoying at the overflowing Pench Dam or Kamthikhairy Dam on weekends.

Boating near Pench Dam

You can also enjoy Boating near Pench Dam, which is also known as Kamthikhairy Dam. Please ensure that a life jacket is offered to you before you book the boat. You can enjoy amazing views from the boat. Boating, undoubtedly is one of the top things to do around the Pench National Park.

Enjoy the rainy season in Pench

“The jungle is not usually this green in first few weeks of June. You are lucky to enjoy a good weather and lush green forest since it rained a few days ago.”, my guide told me as I was comically trying to find animal shapes in wooden logs from a moving jeep. Pareidolia much, eh!

The beauty of Pench National Park after a few rains is to be seen to be believed. The buffer zones are open during monsoon. So, you can still stay in Pench Tree Lodge and do safari in buffer zone during the rainy season. Tourism in Pench National Park is highly recommended by me.

Buy Souvenirs: Things to buy in Pench National Park

What to buy in Tadoba National Park? My friends bought many local potteries from the Potter’s Village at Pachdhar . The potters sell a variety of locally made pots, cups, mugs, surahi , matka , toys and decorative items made with local clay. Another way to support the locals is to buy their food products. For example, I had also bought the delicious pickles made by local women such as the tangy mango pickle and sweet and sour lemon pickle.

Spend time reading books on wildlife of India

Deepa, the naturalist from Chennai who worked at the Pench Tree Read suggested below books on wildlife, fauna and flora of jungles in India and beyond. Some books listed below also talk about the secred world of plants. Reading some of the best books on wildlife of India as listed below will forever change the way you look at the jungle.

Below is the list of some of the best natural history books on wildlife and plants which share amazing facts:

• Hidden life of trees by Peter Wollebhen
• Trees of Delhi : A field guide by Pradip Krishan
• Jungle Trees of central India by Pradip Krishan
• The Secret network of nature by Peter Wollebhen
• The secret life of Indian mammals by Vivek Menon
• A Naturalist’s journal by M Yuvan Aves, a Chennai based writer.
• Sacred plants of India by Nanditha Krishna and M. Amirthalingam.
• Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp and Tim Inskipp.
• Snakes of India -The Field Guide by Romulus Whitaker and Ashok Captain is an encyclopedia on the Indian snake species.

You can also find a mention of the raw beauty of Pench National Park in the following books:

• High Lands of Central India by James Forsyth
• Sivni, Camp life in the Satpura by R.A. Strenthal’s
• Wild Animals of Central India by A. A Dunbar Brander
• Ain-i-Akbari , a 16th century document by Abu Fazl from the Mughal Era in India.

Do not forget to add more suggestions (India or beyond) in the comment section below.

Pick a book from the library of Pench Tree House.

I took a spiral staircase to arrive at the huge library located right above the restaurant of The Pench Tree Lodge. I was impressed with the wide range of books available for readers here. Whether you are a kid or an adult, you will be spilt for choice. Most of the books stocked on several racks here are on themed around wildlife, plant life, and jungle ecosystem. There is also no dearth of seating areas, my favourite of which is the one overlooking the adjacent swimming pool. Made of wood (and not cement), the library is inundated with colourful cushions in bright, primary colours. My friend and co-traveller Ami Bhat also gifted her debut travel fiction book ‘ When Places Come Alive ’ to the manager Harish. It is a must-read book for those who love to travel.

Enjoy sunsets and sunrise in Pench National Park

I have seen some of the best sunsets and sunrises in and around Pench National Park. While leaving Pench Tree Lodge for the morning safari, I came across a breathtaking sunrise. On the other hand, just as I was winding up with the evening birdwatching session at the pristine Kohka lake, the skies treated me with beautiful sunset. There are many sightseeing places in Pench National Park that offer breathtaking views of sunrise and sunsets.

Visit Sitaghat

Sitaghat is easily the best place to see in Pench National Park. During the jeep safari, we also drove down to the picturesque Sita Ghat area known for good sightings of birds and even the elusive dholes or wild dogs. The voluptuous Pench River was our constant companion as we drove towards Sitaghat. It is a good idea to drive down to Sitaghat in summer months such as April, May, and June because it is common to find tiger (with perhaps cubs) resting by the river. This is also why we visited Sitaghat. Summer is when many water sources dry up, forcing tigers and other animals and birds to visit pools and water bodies throughout the day. Now you know why Sitaghat is a major point of attractions in Pench National Park.

Also, watch out for various flowering trees that make Sitaghat area photogenic. Located on the bank of the river Pench flowing gently through the rocky outcrops , tourists also visit Sitaghat for its raw primeval beauty . Though you can visit Sitaghat throughout the year, except for the rainy season. January, February and March is a good time to be here. Views of Pench River from Sitaghat are breathtaking just after the monsoon season when the river runs full. Think October and November! Sitaghat surely is one of the most unusual places to visit in Pench National Park.

Visit Alikatta

As we entered the core zone from Karamajhiri on a safari jeep, we made a pit stop for breakfast arranged by Pugdundee Safaris near Alikatta which is merely 9 kilometres away from the Karmajhiri Gate. I noticed that hordes of safari jeeps had stopped here for breakfast. The jeeps had entered from various zones of Pench National Park but had congregated here because it is the designated path inside the forest for refreshments and toilet breaks. People also come here to enjoy hot tea, fresh pakora (fritters) and Alikatta ka Alu Bonda . Alikatta sure is one of the most popular places to visit in Pench National Park.

There was once a time when Alikatta used to be a bustling forest village located within the present boundaries of Pench national Park. Such villages are usually established by the forest department so facilitate easy availability of labour employed in forest related work such as cutting of tree and transporting them from one place to another. Such forest villages were mostly established during the colonial times in India by the British who ruled back then. As per a signboard I saw in Alikatta, “The status of the land remains reserved forests and the villagers are given temporary privileges over the land.”

In the years 1994-95, Alikatta village as well as the Chhedia village were relocated elsewhere, away from the forest area . People who once called Alikatta village home were shifted to Durgapur Forest village which is presently situated in close proximity with the nearby NH 7. As of now, Alikatta houses the local sub-range headquarters.

With the goal to encourage a healthy herbivore population , mainly spotted deer or chital , in and around Alikatta, the forest department is committed to maintain the open areas and old agricultural fields as grasslands. No wonder that especially post monsoon, tourists love visiting Alikatta to soak in the views of beautiful green grasslands dotted with the herds of spotted deer grazing in entire surrounding area. You can also spot nesting of Pied Hornbill in trees nearby. In fact, I saw many grey hornbills throughout the day.

In order to maintain the grassland and stop them from converting into an untamed jungle, the forest department regularly uproots any young tree or weed. As per the signboard, “The management tries to promote the growth of palatable species by the chain-link fenced enclosures which preserves the grass during the growing season of monsoon and ensures the seeds setting in the palatable species. Some areas slips of palatable species are planted during the monsoon to restock them,”

What it means is that during the rainy season, the grasslands are protected with a wire fence so that the grasses grown. This ensures that the food is available for herbivorous animals when there is drought like condition in summer months.

Visit Totladoh Dam and Reservoir

Located on the Pench River, which gave its name to the Pench National Park, Totladoh Dam is a must-visit place. Thanks to the natural beauty and greenery around the Totladoh Dam, it is a popular picnic spot for the tourists and locals alike who visit here in large numbers. You can also enjoy breathtaking views from a guest house and garden located here. Located away from the crowds, you can also spot various species of fish, aquatic animals and birds here. In winters, you may see some migratory birds here. This gravity dam on Pench river near Ramtek in Nagpur district is located merely 80 kilometres away from the city of Nagpur on National Highway Number 7. A part of the Pench River hydroelectric project, it is a must-see tourist attraction.

Visit Raiakassa

From the cemented watchtower or machan here, you can soak in the soul nourishing views of the Pench River snaking through huge boulders and rocky outcrops. A visit here during or post monsoon is a good idea because that is when the river is most voluptuous. The roaring sound of the river matches with the roar of the tiger during its peak. The rocky terrain interspersed with the water of the river makes it visually enticing. Also spelt as Raiyakassa, it is situated in the heart of Pench Tiger Reserve. Besides the possibility of wildlife sightings, the excellent view of the Pench River banks is what attracts tourists here.

Dig deep in the map of Pench National Park

Even in the age of Google Map and Waze, I enjoy being old school. I find studying paper maps of places I visit. I spent good time studying the map displayed in the reception of the Pench Tree Lodge. Not only did the map help me ascertain the scale of Pench National Park but it also gave me perspective on my location. The map also mentioned several lesser-known places within the forest which I had little idea about. For your convenience, I am attaching the map of Pench National Park here. You can see that there are many unexplored sightseeing places on the map of Pench National Park which I shared here. Ask your local guide about more unhear-of tourist attractions.

Visit Chhindimatta

A village used to once exist on the present location of Chhindimatta. You can still see the reminders in form of abandoned buildings and temples in the vicinity. In order to construct dam, the village was relocated elsewhere. At present Chhindimatta serves as pasture land which attracts many herbivorous animals. I think Chhindimatta is one of the most unusual places to see in Pench National Park.

Visit a village tantrik

You can also visit a local tantrik in one of the villages. I was told that Pachdhar village has a busy tantrik who is very popular with the local people. I have never met a tantrik in real life, so I chickened out when someone proposed the idea to meet him. But you must go for it if you have it in you. Ask around in Pachdhar village for the address of his home. It is a lesser-visited place around Pench National Park.

You can expect to spot large herds of gaur or Indian Bison in the Doob Road region post monsoon when there is abundant grass. Doob road is also known as sunken road because during the rainy season, this area remains submerged beneath water. After the monsoon season is over, the landscape turns into marshy grasslands, attracting various animals such as spotted deer, sambar, gaur and many endemic birds. The water levels here keep receding in winter and summer months. On a lucky day, you can even spot a leopard here. Nonetheless, driving along this track is still a pleasure, sighting or no sighting. Since this track runs close to the edge of the water bodies, expect beautiful views all around. The Kala Pahad area is also nearby.

Do birdwatching in Boda Tank

Birdwatchers come from near and far to enjoy multiple sessions of birdwatching around this irrigation tank. You can even see many migratory birds here during the winter months viz November, December, January and February.

Take a tour of Bodanala Range

You can expect to see natural variation in topography in the area surrounding the Bodanala Range. Situated in close proximity with the boundary of Pench National Park, it is a must visit place. Wild animals such as dholes or wild dogs are commonly seen around the Bodanala range. Movement of various species of reptiles and birds are also observed here regularly. Several grassy knolls, hills, marshy land, thick bamboo forests and ponds etc form the beautiful landscape here.

Do jungle safari in Turia Zone

This is one of the most well-known gates of Pench National Park. Turia Gate is popular for beautiful landscapes apart from good sightings of tiger and leopard. Turia gate is also the closest to NH 7. There are many points of attractions here. Turia Zone is a major sightseeing attraction in Pench National Park because it is good with sightings.

Enjoy the beauty of Karmajhiri Zone

You can do a jeep safari in Karmajhiri Zone as it is generous with easy spotting of Tigers, leopards, gaurs, jackals, dholes aka wild dogs and several species of birds. You can also visit Forest rest houses which are located here. Karmajhiri Zone is not as busy as Turia Zone but it is equally good with sightings. Karmajhiri Gate is located very close to the Pench Tree Lodge where I had stayed. I did the jeep safari in both Turia as well as Karmajhir gate.

Explore the Khursapar Zone on Maharashtra side of Pench

Lying in Maharashtra, you can spot Tiger and several bird species here. Apart from Turia zone and Karmajhiri zone, I have also done tiger safari in the lesser-known Khursapar Gate which is situated barely 12 kilometres away from the more popular Turia Gate, which is located almost on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra . Strangely, Khursapar Gate of Pench National Park is located inside Maharashtra and not Madhya Pradesh. Khursapar is the top place to see in Pench National Park if you like to go off the beaten track.

Thanks to great tiger sightings off late, Khursapar Gate has gained immense popularity which it always deserved. On a good day, you can also see Gaurs, Chowsingha and Chinkara gamboling around. You can also visit the Bakhari lake hoping for more sightings. Khursapar core zone is also visually beautiful. Red soil, natural water bodies and undulating terrains are some of the features of the landscape of Khursapar. On the Madhya Pradesh side, the gates are Turia, Karmajhiri, Rukhad, Jamtara, the Night Safari gate and on the Maharastra side the gates are Khursapur, Surewani (Nagalwadi), Silari, Chorbahuli, Surewani (Nagalwadi), Kolitmaara and Khubada (Saleghat).

See Jamtara Zone

Sloth bears are regularly spotted in this zone. Also watch out for Sinduri and Banyan trees. I saw many Sinduri trees in Jim Corbett National Park as well. Jamtara Gate is also located close to Pench Tree Lodge. Safari in Jamtara zone is one of the most unusual things to do in Pench National Park.

Do safari in Sillari Zone

A part of Maharashtra Pench Reserve, it is inundated with thick bamboo and Teak forests. It is closed on Wednesdays. You can spot tigers, spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, peacock, jackals, gaur, wild boar and owl etc here.

Explore Rukhad Zone

This is located in the buffer area. You can expect to spot tigers here. Jamun, Bamboo and Arjun Trees dominate this zone full of picturesque water streams. Don’t miss the colourful butterflies flitting along the moving safari jeep.

Visit Khawasa Buffer Zone

AlsoKnown as the Wolf Sanctuary, you can spot wolves, foxes and nocturnal birds here during the night safari. Khawasa buffer zone is located close to themore popularTuria gate.

Drive from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve to Pench National Park

How far is Pench from Tadoba? It took me around 5 hours as I was driven to Pench National Park from Tadoba National Park in a cab arranged by Pugdundee Safaris. The long, lingering drives here are satisfying to the soul, thanks to the smooth roads and green surroundings. We passed through many beautiful jungles as we drove from Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba National Park to Pench Tree Lodge in Pench National Park. The Vidarbha part of Maharashtra shares border with Madhya Pradesh in Central India . There are patches here when the road is roofed with canopies of dense trees.

Do sightseeing in Nagpur

There are many interesting places to see in Nagpur which you can visit while arriving at Nagpur airport or after checking out from your hotel in Pench National Park. Shri Ganesh Temple Tekdi, Deekshabhoomi, Zero Mile Stone and Sitabardi Fort are some of the top places to see in and around Nagpur.

Frequently asked questions or FAQ

Which is the nearest town to pench national park.

The nearest big town from Pench National Park is Nagpur. I had alighted and left from Nagpur airport. There are many places of interest around Nagpur which you can add in your Pench National Park itinerary.

How many days do you need to see Pench National Park?

How many days do you need in Pench National Park? I feel anything between 2-3 days is ideal. However, if money and time is not a constraint, then a week-long stay around Pench National Park will leave you many more sightings and a deeper understanding of how the jungle works.

Which is better Tadoba or Pench?

The Tadoba versus Pench debate is an ongoing one. I visited both Tadoba and Pench National Park and am now qualified to finally have the last word. I had amazing safari experiences in both Tadoba as well as Pench National Park. While I saw the civet cat and jungle cat for the first time in Tadoba National Park, I saw the dholes and leopard for the first time in Pench National Park. Besides, I saw many tigers in both Tadoba as well as Pench National Park. So, I think both Tadoba and Pench are equally good with sightings and views. There are many sightseeing attractions in Pench National Park as well as Tadoba National Park.

Where is the best tiger sighting zone in Pench?

Which gate is better in Pench? Which is best safari zone in Pench? Which zone is best for Pench safari? These are some commonly asked questions. Turia gate, also spelt as Touria and Karmajhiri gate are good with tiger sightings. Both the gates are interconnected anyways. This is a lesser-known fact. You will not find such information in the mainstream media or old school, traditional guide books.

Which is the best gate for jeep safari in Pench National Park?

Which gate is best for Pench safari? Which zone is best for Pench safari? These are some commonly asked questions. I had an even more amazing safari experience in Karmajhiri zone than in Turia Zone. So, I think it all depends on the day and which zone a particular tiger is moving lately.

While Karmajhiri is located in the north, the popular Turia gate is located in the south of Pench National Park. Below is a list of all the gates of Pench National Park:

·        Turia Zone ·        Karmajhiri Zone ·        Khursapar Zone ·        Jamtara Zone ·        Sillari Zone ·        Rukhad Zone ·        Khawasa Zone

Which gate is near from Nagpur for Pench?

Almost all the gates of Pench National Park such as Turia, Karmajhiri, Khursapar etc are located close to Nagpur for Pench. It took me barely 2 hours, for example to cover the distance between the Pench Tree Lodge near Karmajhiri gate to Nagpur airport.

Which month is best for Pench?

What is the best time to visit Pench? Summer months such as April, May and June are the best time to visit Pench due to easy visibility and more chances of tiger roaming or staying close to water body. Having said that, my friends had great sightings even in the winter months. I have personally visited Pench national Park in both winter and summer.

I visited Pench National Park in mid-February. The weather and climate during February was very pleasant and not cold. I was able to wear a shirt in February and not feel cold. Visiting Pench National Park also gave me the opportunity to see several migratory birds such as Ruddy Shelduck , also known as Brahminy duck or Tadorna ferruginea . December and January are very cold in Pench National Park though. T emperature is very low in peak winter here.

Soul Window Connections Ladakh (Maru) I have also seen Ruddy Shelduck at the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet during the epic Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Mongolia where it is considered to be sacred.

My second visit to Pench National Park was in the peak of summer, which is mid-June. I visited just before the park was about to close for the monsoon season. I was rewarded with one of my most successful safaris yet where I saw dholes and leopards for the first time, apart from tiger, gaur etc. Pench National Park Tourism in May, June, July has high success rate of sightings.

Soul Window Wows Thanks to the soaring temperatures, the big cats roam out in the open near water bodies in summer months. This made sighting easier for me. No wonder, we saw a total of 6-7 tigers, including cubs over 3 safaris in Pench National Park and Tadoba National Park in mid-June.

Monsoon The Pench National Park remains closed during July, August and September. However, you can still do safari in the buffer zone during the rainy season . This is the most exhaustive travel guide on Pench National Park. Do read the section on why you must visit Pench National Park in monsoon

Which days Pench National Park closed?

Pench National Park remains closed in monsoon months, i.e. July, August, September and mid-October. Pench National Park remains open between 15 th October to 30 th June. I visited mid-June and was rewarded with amazing sightings.

Are mobiles allowed in Pench?

Yes, mobile phones are allowed in Pench National Park. I shot my vlog on mobile phone itself. Some outdated articles may say that mobile phone is not allowed which is far from the truth. This is why I decided to write this elaborate travel guide to Pench National Park to debunk the myths.

What not to do in jungle of Pench?

Do not make noise, shout or carry any inflammable items. Also, do not carry away any thing from jungle such as leaves, antlers which have been shed etc. Do not chase wild animals. Rather wait and let them walk towards you or near you (yes, that works!)

Why is Pench National Park famous?

What is the Speciality of Pench National Park? Pench National Park is known for its high density of Royal Bengal Tigers. What also makes Pench so popular is the fact that the sightings are easier here. You can also spot jackals, gaurs, dholes and even leopards easily in Pench.

How to reach Pench National Park?

Pench National Park is an worthwhile weekend getaway from Nagpur. Located on the boundary of Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh , close to Maharashtra’s northern border, Pench National Park is easy to reach.

I arrived in Nagpur at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport also known as Sonegaon airport or Nagpur airport. From the airport, I was picked up by the cab sent by Pugdundee safaris. I visited Tadoba National Park first, followed by another 5 hours cab from Tadoba to Pench National Park.

How much time it takes from Nagpur to Pench by taxi? We covered the 135 kilometres long Pench Tree Lodge (Karmajhiri)- Suktara – Nagpur airport route within 2 hours.

Nearest big railway station from Pench National Park is located at Nagpur.

Pench National Park Itinerary

On the same trip I and Ami covered both Tadoba National Park as well as Pench National Park in 5 days. Let me show you how we did it. I am sharing below the entire trip breakup:

·        Day 1 – I reached Nagpur in the afternoon and was driven 2.5 hrs to Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba National Park ·        Day 2 – Morning safari in core zone of Khutwanda, evening night safari Navegaon Ramdegi Gate of Tadoba National Park. ·        Day 3 – We did nature walk/ cycling in the morning. Then we spent morning at leisure at Waghoba Eco Lodge in Tadoba National Park. By 10 a.m., we were transferred to Pench Tree Lodge over a 5 hrs long cab ride. We did evening session at Kipling Hide from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. after lunch ·        Day 4 – Morning safari and afternoon nature walk followed by farm dinner. We did bird photography again in Kipling Hide between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. ·        Day 5 – Morning safari in Karmajhiri Zone of Pench and then transfer to Nagpur

What are the timings for safari in Pench National Park?

What time is the evening safari at Pench? What time can you enter Pench National Park? Below are the answers to your frequent queries. I am mentioning below the entry and exit time for both morning and evening safari and in both winter and summer season:

Winters (October to February)

Morning safari: 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Afternoon safari: 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Summers (March to June)

Morning safari: 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Afternoon safari: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Night safari

What are the timings for night safari in Pench National Park? Night safari: 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Who is the famous tigress in Pench?

Collarwali, who is also known as Matharam is the most famous tigress of Pench National Park. During tiger safari, we ventured close to her area many times. T 15 or the queen of Pench was born in the year 2005. There are many reasons why she is a celebrity tiger in Pench. Mother to 29 cubs, she passed away due to old age in the year 2022. She was more than 16 years of age.

Are there black panthers in Pench National Park?

Is Black Panther in Pench National Park? Yes, melanistic leopards have been spotted in Pench National Park. But they are very rare to see. Every once in a while, their videos keep going viral on social media. They are also known as the ghost of the jungle. Since they are so rare, they are also most celebrated.

What do you wear to Pench?

Since I did safari in the peak summer, I wore light cotton clothes. On another safari in winters, I wore layering and woollen clothes. Early mornings and late evenings can be very cold in Pench National Park, so prepare as per the weather.

Pench National Park remains open throughout the year except for the monsoon season, which is July, August and September. On Hindu festivals such as Deepawali and Holi, the park remains closed.

Conclusion: Is Pench National Park worth it?

What is there to do in Pench National Park? Why to visit Pench National Park? Here is an overview. Pench National Park, which is an easy weekend escape from Nagpur is a must-visit place. Whether it is sighting or a walk in the Gond villages , or birdwatching or activities such as cycling, boating, dam visits, treks etc, there is a lot to do in Pench National Park. Pench National Park, which falls in both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra can also be easily combined with a trip to Tadoba National Park in the adjacent Indian state Maharashtra .

Do share this complete guide to Pench National Park with your friends and family. This is the biggest guide on Pench national Park, available anywhere. I have shared deep insights in this detailed travel blog. Thanks to my own experience and deep research, I have explained all you wanted to know about Pench National Park in great details. What are you waiting for? The land of Mowgli, the wolf child beckons!

Related Blogs

I have written many detailed blogs on wildlife. Below are my other blogs on wildlife from India and other countries.

Birdwatching trip in Manila

Birdwatching trip in Sattal

Birdwatching trip in Shitlakhet

Birdwatching trip in Dudhwa

Birdwatching trip in Lakh Bahosi

Birdwatching trip in Sonkhaliyan

Birdwatching trip in Jorbeer

Jim Corbett Trip Experience

Tadoba Trip Experience

Bandhavgarh Trip Experience

Dudhwa Trip Experience

Satpura Trip Experience

Kaziranga National Park Experience

Manas National Park Experience

Kabini Trip Experience

Chitwan National Park Experience

Agumbe rainforest Experience

Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary Experience

Tidbinbilla Trip Experience

Kenya Experience

Kidepo National Park Experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Experience

Related posts:

Top Travel Blogger from India

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Pench Tiger Safari

Immerse yourself in the wild and witness the majestic tigers of India up close on a safari adventure you'll never forget.

Safari Booking Form

Take that much needed break from the work-life rush. you deserve it., reconnect with the captivating world of ‘the jungle book’ and let your inner child out., celebrate a family reunion with conversation and laughter in the most-preferred canter safari. revisit old memories while you make new ones in the pristine forest., expose children’s young and inquisitive minds to the wonders of nature. it is sure to set the fires of curiosity blazing., add a new chapter to your hobby tales – be it wildlife or bird photography. the pench tiger reserve reserves wonders for all..

Pench Tiger Safari Packages

Inr 17,999/-, 1 night 2 days pench tiger safari.

• 1 Night 2 Days resort stay
• 2 Jeep Safari
• Meals plan as per package
• Expert Driver &Forest Guide
• Book with Rs 1000/- advance

2 Night 3 Days Pench Tiger Safari

• 2 Night 4Days resort stay
• 4 Jeep Safari

3 Night 4 Days Pench Tiger Safari

• 3 Night 4 Days resort stay
• 6 Jeep Safari
• Expert Driver & Forest Guide

Custom Pench Tiger Safari

Number of Safari, accommodation and meals plan as per the customizations

Safari Zone & Timings

Safari zones, m.p core zone : jhamtara, karmajhiri, touria, m.p buffer zone : khawasa, masurnala, rukhad, teliya, m.h core zone : jhamtara, karmajhiri, touria, m.h buffer zone : khawasa , masurnala, rukhad, teliya, months & safari timing.

Oct to Dec: 06:30 am - 10:00 am & 02:30 pm - 06:00 pm

Sign Up Now to Start Your Wildlife and Tiger Safari Adventure in India

Leave us a message and we'll get in touch!

Tour Gallery

A world of flowers and greenery.

In Pench, it's not only about the wild animals, the plant life here is equally beautiful. These plants may seem simple, but their presence adds an extraordinary touch to Pench's natural wonderland. Explore this botanical haven, appreciate the elegance of nature's creations, and let

Pench's rich and diverse flora fill you with wonder and inspiration.

A Bounty of Animal Wonders

Pench is a place filled with incredible creatures. Dive into the fascinating world of animals that live here. Our gallery is like a window into their natural homes, where you can see majestic tigers and other graceful animals, all in their own wild spaces. Come and explore to see these amazing animals and learn about their lives in Pench.

Birdwatching

Pench National Park is home to 285 different types of birds that stay there all the time or visit during their migrations. One of the most enjoyable ways to spend your wildlife vacation here is by watching these birds. At Khoka Lake, you'll have the chance to spot various bird species like the colorful Indian Pitta, the majestic Osprey, and the impressive Grey-headed

Fishing Eagle.

Why Choose Us ?

Experience and Expertise

Our team comprises passionate individuals who have spent their lives in and around Pench National Park. With their deep-rooted knowledge of the park, flora and fauna, and the behavior of its inhabitants, you'll gain unique insights into the wild.

Customized Tours

We understand that each visitor is different. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, a photographer, or a family seeking a memorable vacation, we tailor our safari experiences to suit your specific interests and requirements.

Safety First

Your safety is important to us. Our vehicles are well maintained, and our guides are trained to handle any situation that may arise during the safari. We follow strict safety protocols to make your adventure worry free.

Affordable Options

We believe that the beauty of Pench National Park should be accessible to all. Our safari packages cater to various budgets, ensuring that you can experience the wilderness without breaking the bank.

Tiger Tracking

Our guides are not just guides, they are trackers with an exceptional ability to follow the trail of tigers. Their expertise in interpreting signs and sounds in the jungle enhances your chances of encountering the elusive big cats.

Responsible Tourism

We are dedicated to the principles of responsible tourism. Our practices prioritize the well-being of the park and its inhabitants. We stick to ethical guidelines to ensure that our presence has a positive impact on the ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pench offers jeep safaris (Gypsy) and bus safaris (Canter). Jeep safaris are more intimate and offer a better chance of wildlife sightings, while Canter safaris are larger vehicles that can accommodate more passengers.

The choice of safari zones may depend on availability and park regulations. Sometimes, you can express your preference, but it's ultimately determined by park authorities and availability.

Internet connectivity can be limited or unavailable within the park, so it's advisable to check with your accommodation provider for information on Wi-Fi availability. It's an opportunity to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature during your safari experience.

Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary, so it's essential to check with the booking agency or park authorities regarding their specific terms and conditions. Some bookings may be non-refundable or subject to a cancellation fee.

The best safari zone in Pench National Park can vary depending on factors like recent tiger sightings and wildlife movement. Zones like Turia, Karmajhiri, and Khursapar are popular, but it's advisable to check with park authorities or local guides for current information on tiger sightings before making a decision.

Wear comfortable and earth-toned clothing to blend with the surroundings. Bring essentials like a hat, sunscreen, binoculars, camera, and a water bottle. Avoid bright colors and strong perfumes.

Apart from tigers, Pench is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including leopards, Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, spotted deer, sloth bears, wild dogs, and various bird species.

• Go on early morning or late afternoon safaris when tigers are more active.
• Maintain silence and listen for alarm calls from other animals.
• Keep your eyes peeled and be patient, tigers can be elusive.
• Respect the park rules and your guide's instructions.

A typical safari in Pench National Park lasts for about 3-4 hours, either in the morning or afternoon. Full-day safaris are also available in some zones.

• Tour Enquiry
• Sign up | Login
• My Bookings
• New User? Sign-up
• Domestic Tours
• South India
• Maharashtra
• Golden Triangle
• North India
• North East India
• International
• Maldives (Discontinued)
• All Domestic Tours
• All International Tours
• Offbeat Tours
• Domestic Cruise Tours
• Jungle Lodges by JLR
• Kabini River Lodge
• Bandipur Safari Lodge
• JLR Kings Sanctuary
• River Tern Lodge
• Kali Adventure Camp
• Hampi Heritage & Wilderness Resort
• K Gudi Wilderness Camp
• Car Rentals
• Destinations
• Tourist Places on Drive
• Driving Directions
• * Workation
• * Tour Plans
• List Property

Please wait... the destination details are being loaded

• Madhya Pradesh
• Pench National Park

Places to Visit in Pench National Park

Sillari Jeep Safari

India | Madhya Pradesh | Pench National Park

#7 of 15 places to visit in pench national park, distance (from pench national park): 35 kms, visited from: pench national park, trip duration (including travel): 4-6 hours, place location: not available, transportation options: cab, website: na, phone no: na, place address: na, travel tips: sillari is the most famous zone for jeep safaris in maharashtra's pench. it remains closed for tourists from 1st july to 15th october and on every wednesday. also, it is closed for afternoon safari on 26th january and 0n 1st may every year..

At a distance of 26 km from Khawasa and 35 km from Turiya, Sillari is the most popular safari zone of Pench National Park on Maharashtra Side. The entry gate of the zone is situated at Sillari village. Sillari is considered to be a premium zone and is a part of Maharashtra Pench Reserve. Sillari is beautiful with access to water bodies, dense forest and dam backwater making it worth visiting even if you don't see animals. The forest terrain is covered with Bamboo, Garari and Teak trees. It is the most famous zone among day tourists as the chances of spotting the wild predators in their natural habitats is high in this zone. The best way to explore the flora and fauna of the national park is to travel through jeep safari. Jeep Safaris operate in two shifts, one in the early morning and another one in the evening. The Jeep Safari is done only with vehicles registered with the park administration as private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. The number of vehicles allowed into Sillari Zone is 45 in the morning and 55 in the evening. Each jeep can take up to 6 travelers other than a driver and one naturalist. The safari entry and exit timings change according to the change of seasons. Trespassing different routes are not allowed. Afternoon safari is closed on 26th January & 1st May every year and completely closed on every Wednesday. Online Jungle safari booking is available for this gate. The safari tickets can be booked online at www.mahaecotourism.gov.in. It is strongly recommended to book safari at least 120 days before your trip as it is the most popular safari zone. The guide fee and vehicle hire fee are to be paid separately at the park before undertaking the safari. Else, one can book safari tickets at the ticket window or through hotels. All the visitors are required to carry their original identity document during safari drives as it is verified at the entrance gate. Safari tickets are non-transferable. During safari drive, guide service is compulsory on each safari vehicle. Safari Timings: 6 AM - 11 AM & 2.30 PM - 6 PM from October - June, closed during monsoon months, every Wednesday and on 26th January & 1st May for Evening Safari. Entry Fee (approximately): Rs. 190 per Adults & Rs. 50 per Child for Indians, Rs. 280 per Adults & Rs. 180 per Child for Foreigners, Rs. 480 for Jeep, Rs. 950 for Bus, Rs. 330 for person for Canter Safari, Rs. 300 for Guide, & Rs. 2000 for Jeep

7 Must Visit Places in Pench National Park

View Details

Pench National Park Tourism

Pench National Park Tour Packages

Best Time to Visit Pench National Park

How to Reach Pench National Park

100% SECURE PAYMENTS

Domestic & international cards accepted.

Our WhatsApp Numbers

International tours, +91-8217845740, south india tours, +91-7995649483, goa, maharashtra, gujarat tours, +91-7032828835, north india tours, +91-9535139583, rest of india, +91-7799591230, request quote, travellers #.

Explore Tour Packages

Planning a Trip?

Discover affordable tour packages, need customized tour request quote, login / sign-up, your sign in was successful itinerary will be downloaded shortly., sign up with trawell.in.

Already Created Account? Login Here

Sign in with Trawell.in Account

Forgot Password?

New User? Sign Up Here

Activate Your Trawell.in Account

Your account is activated successfully. Login Here

Reset Your Trawell.in Password

Your password has been reset successfully. Login Here

Booking Policy

• Destinations
• Hotels & Homestays
• Food & Drink
• People & Culture
• Mindful Travel
• Readers' Travel Awards
• Escape to Rajasthan
• READERS TRAVEL AWARDS
• #LOVEGREATBRITAIN
• TAJ SAFARIS
• BOUTIQUE HOTELS
• CNT TOP RESTAURANT AWARDS
• DESTINATION WEDDING GUIDE
• DON’T TRAVEL WITHOUT IT
• #UNDISCOVERAUSTRALIA
• ESSENTIALLY RAJASTHAN

There’s a new way to safari at Pench Tiger Reserve

By Kyra Kewalramani Amin

Approximately 75 km from Nagpur lies the Kolitmara Gate —an entry point to the Pench Tiger Reserve, and the starting point for the recently introduced cycling safari. Situated in Khursapar Village, the new safari offers you the chance to explore the forest sustainably while also getting some exercise in. While these safaris were inaugurated in June, the first cycling tour took place on 20 August with 80 people in participation. Here’s everything you need to know about the cycle safari at Pench Tiger Reserve.

What is the route and what will you see?

As per forest range officer Vishal Chavan, the route starts at the Kolitmara gate, and follows a scenic 48km scenic route through Narhar, Banera, Sila Devi, Chargaon and Kuwara Bhimsen, before ending back at the Kolitmara gate. Along this journey, eager birdwatchers will have the opportunity to see various species of birds such as the Indian Bushlark and Coppersmith Barbet. There’s also the possibility of sighting the majestic tiger, leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaurs, Sambar and more. A guide will lead the way throughout and you will ride largely through village paths, with some trails in the forest.

How to book a cycle safari at Pench and how much does it cost?

Cycles are provided by the government and cost Rs300 to rent. You can also choose to bring your own cycle which will bring your cost down to Rs100. Chavan recommends opting for a guide for a cost of Rs1000—riding through forest routes with a guide is advisable to ensure safety. A minimum of two people are required for each safari. While your guide will bring along a pair of binoculars, make sure to carry your camera in case you’re lucky enough to spot some wildlife along the way. While jeep and canter safaris close down during the monsoon season, cycling safaris will remain open, so visitors can enjoy the park’s many fascinating elements even in the off-season. You can book a cycle safari through the official Pench Tiger Reserve website .

This is a Registered Private Travel Agency under the name of "TIT TRAVELS CO" which organizes Pench National Park Tour Packages & Jeep Safari Packages.

Pench national park online safari booking.

For safari booking in pench national park, tourists have to follow some rules and regulations of Maharashtra as well as Madhya Pradesh government. For every booking of Pench Jungle Safari, tourists have to pay 100% of the amount of jungle safari as booking amount in advance. As for safari ride, the safari vehicle is limited so it is advisable for the tourists to book their safari ride well in advance to avoid any type of disappointment. Tourists must choose the safari ride for both the state, to enjoy the thrilling experience of this national park in full.

Pench Tour Packages

Pench Weekend Tour

Pench Holiday Tour

Pench Tiger Tour

Pench With Bandhavgarh

Pench With Kanha Park

Pench National Park

Pench national park is one of the most popular place to watch the activities of royal Bengal tiger. Though numbers of wild animals are the major attraction of this place but most of the tourists visit this national park and explore this park to watch the activities of tiger in their natural habitat. So this place is perfect for tiger lovers. The majestic jungle trail of Pench National Park offers you an opportunity to enjoy fauna and flora in variations and for nature lovers and wild life lovers, this place offers life time beautiful memories and experiences.

In order to manage Pench national park successfully, it is must to have discipline. Pench national park is also abided by certain rules and regulations. For successful management of tourism, it is necessary to implement some disciplines. Implementation of certain conservation programs of wild life makes this place more popular and attractive for tourists.

Tourist must have to obey all the rules and regulations of the park which are laid in brochures, notice boards and which are informed by the guides of safari ride. There must be a valid permit, before going to explore this beautiful national park.

Top Things to do

Safari Visit

The national park hosts a significant number of Royal Bengal Tiger who can be seen roaming around on a safari visit.

Latest News

Pench Safari Tips

Date: 28 march, 2022.

Pench jeep safari offers tourists an exciting view of wild...

Best Zones In Pench

Planning to visit a national park is an exciting feeling...

Safari Zones

The adventure and wildlife excursion in Pench National Park...

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what should i wear.

It is wise to choose clothing in neutral, camouflage colours such as brown, khaki, stone or beige which will make you less visible and able to get closer to the wild animals you may want to see. It is advisable to layer your clothing as this provides more warmth when necessary and allows you to remove clothing during the hottest period of the day.

2. Is the water safe to drink?

Yes, The RO water provided at Pench Jungle Camp is perfectly safe to drink.

3.Closest Airport or Railway station?

Nagpur is the closest Airport and Railway station. It is 98 kms/ 2:30 hours’ drive from the resort.

4. Are Children allowed on safaris?

Yes, children of all ages are allowed on Jungle Safaris however under the supervision of a guardian.

5. How long should I stay?

We recommend staying at least 3 nights for the best experience.

6. When is the best time to visit?

Pench National Park remains open for safaris form 1st October to 30th June every year. Park remains close for safaris in July, August and September due to monsoon. October to March offers the best weather with sunny days and very few days of rain. April to June gets hot but is excellent for sightings in the park.

I visited 5 of the best safari parks in Africa. The trip was filled with surprises, and there are a few things I wish I'd known before leaving.

• I visited five of Kenya's best safari parks to see some of  Africa's most famous animals in the wild.
• There were many aspects of the safari that surprised me despite the research I did before my trip.
• I was surprised by many things, including how long I spent sitting in safari cars. 

Seeing some of Africa's most famous animals in the wild has been on my bucket list for years. With adventure travel on the rise, I decided to take the plunge and make the 20+ hour flight to Africa to visit some of Kenya's best safari parks.

Masai Mara is arguably the most famous for big-cat sightings, but Amboseli National Park , Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Nairobi National Park, and Hell's Gate National Park are also must-see reserves teeming with wildlife.

I did lots of research beforehand but found I was unprepared for many things I experienced while on safari — and there are things I'll definitely do differently the next time I go.

From what I should have worn to what seeing the animals was really like, here's what surprised me most about going on safari in Kenya.

I sat in the safari vehicle for about 8 hours every day

Between a morning and afternoon game drive, I spent about eight hours in the car daily. It was shocking to see the low number of daily steps on my Oura ring.

I started doing yoga at the end of the night to loosen up my hips. My airplane pillow also helped me stay comfortable, especially during the seven-hour drives to other parks.

My shoes were off for most of the drives

In hindsight, I should have worn sandals on my drives. Most safari vehicles have small windows and a top that lifts up, and you're frequently standing on the chairs to get a better view.

We took off our shoes when we got into the car so we were ready to hop up on the chairs at a moment's notice.

I had lots of early mornings and bedtimes.

The best times for safaris are in the mornings and at dusk, and sometimes, we had 4 a.m. start times. The lack of sleep , paired with the heat, made me eager to get to bed early.

Related stories

I'm not a morning person, but I preferred the early drives for the animal activity (and incredible sunrises) we saw. We used the less-ideal safari hours during the day to nap, do other activities in the area, or drive to other parks.

Many animals can be difficult to spot due to distance or camouflage

We had our fair share of close-up sightings, but many of the animals we wanted to see were far away and sometimes not immediately obvious to the naked eye.

We ditched our iPhones and used binoculars and someone's camera viewfinder to get a closer look.

A pair of binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens are essential for getting the best view (and pictures) possible.

There were long periods of time with minimal animal sightings

Safari drives can be frustrating because you can't control what animals you'll see, how far away they are, and how long the sighting will last. But being patient can be rewarding.

During one dusk drive, we spent three hours searching for a pride of lions without any luck. Finally, as the sun set in the last half hour, we stumbled upon three female lions napping, a leopard, and giraffes.

Many of the animals are sleeping during the day

I expected to see animals moving around or hunting, but many were resting during the day. It was only when dusk approached that they started to slowly stake out a spot by the grazing herds.

If I go on safari again, I'll book a night drive so I can see how the lions and other animals act during their peak hours of activity.

My view was largely out of my control

Whenever a less common animal like a lion or cheetah is spotted, a traffic jam of safari vehicles speed over and line up, vying for the best view.

What you see — and sometimes, if you see anything at all — can depend on your driver and what vantage point they can get.

Your view can also depend on your position in the car. I spent a lot of time scrambling around to catch a sighting (and a photo, if I was lucky).

Prey is plentiful, but seeing any action is unlikely

Gazelles and impalas were everywhere, so it was surprising to learn that the lions might not eat for days.

Our driver told us the best thing he's seen on safari was a cheetah hunting a gazelle, and then a pride of lions swooping in to steal his meal. However, these kinds of sightings are rare.

Predators need to consider everything from the direction the wind is blowing to the length of the grass when trying to sneak up on their prey. Many hunts are unsuccessful, so seeing one in person is unlikely.

Watch: Crocodile wrangler rates 12 crocodile and alligator attacks in movies and TV

• Main content

iPhone User Guide

• iPhone models compatible with iOS 17
• R ' class='toc-item' data-ss-analytics-link-url='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xr-iph017302841/ios' data-ajax-endpoint='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xr-iph017302841/ios' data-ss-analytics-event="acs.link_click" href='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xr-iph017302841/ios' id='toc-item-IPH017302841' data-tocid='IPH017302841' > iPhone X R
• S ' class='toc-item' data-ss-analytics-link-url='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-iphc00446242/ios' data-ajax-endpoint='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-iphc00446242/ios' data-ss-analytics-event="acs.link_click" href='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-iphc00446242/ios' id='toc-item-IPHC00446242' data-tocid='IPHC00446242' > iPhone X S
• S Max' class='toc-item' data-ss-analytics-link-url='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-max-iphcd2066870/ios' data-ajax-endpoint='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-max-iphcd2066870/ios' data-ss-analytics-event="acs.link_click" href='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-max-iphcd2066870/ios' id='toc-item-IPHCD2066870' data-tocid='IPHCD2066870' > iPhone X S Max
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• Setup basics
• Make your iPhone your own
• Take great photos and videos
• Keep in touch with friends and family
• Share features with your family
• Use iPhone for your daily routines
• Expert advice from Apple Support
• What’s new in iOS 17
• Turn on and set up iPhone
• Wake and unlock
• Set up cellular service
• Use Dual SIM
• Connect to the internet
• Sign in with Apple ID
• Subscribe to iCloud+
• Find settings
• Set up mail, contacts, and calendar accounts
• Learn the meaning of the status icons
• Charge the battery
• Charge with cleaner energy sources
• Show the battery percentage
• Check battery health and usage
• Use Low Power Mode
• Read and bookmark the user guide
• Learn basic gestures
• Learn gestures for iPhone models with Face ID
• Adjust the volume
• Find your apps in App Library
• Switch between open apps
• Quit and reopen an app
• Multitask with Picture in Picture
• Access features from the Lock Screen
• View Live Activities in the Dynamic Island
• Perform quick actions
• Search on iPhone
• Get information about your iPhone
• View or change cellular data settings
• Travel with iPhone
• Change sounds and vibrations
• Use the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
• Create a custom Lock Screen
• Change the wallpaper
• Adjust the screen brightness and color balance
• Keep the iPhone display on longer
• Use StandBy
• Customize the text size and zoom setting
• Change the name of your iPhone
• Change the date and time
• Change the language and region
• Organize your apps in folders
• Add, edit, and remove widgets
• Move apps and widgets on the Home Screen
• Remove apps
• Use and customize Control Center
• Change or lock the screen orientation
• View and respond to notifications
• Change notification settings
• Set up a Focus
• Allow or silence notifications for a Focus
• Turn a Focus on or off
• Stay focused while driving
• Customize sharing options
• Type with the onscreen keyboard
• Dictate text
• Select and edit text
• Use predictive text
• Use text replacements
• Add or change keyboards
• Add emoji and stickers
• Take a screenshot
• Take a screen recording
• Draw in documents
• Add text, shapes, signatures, and more
• Fill out forms and sign documents
• Use Live Text to interact with content in a photo or video
• Use Visual Look Up to identify objects in your photos and videos
• Lift a subject from the photo background
• Subscribe to Apple Arcade
• Play with friends in Game Center
• Connect a game controller
• Use App Clips
• Update apps
• View or cancel subscriptions
• Manage purchases, settings, and restrictions
• Install and manage fonts
• Buy books and audiobooks
• Annotate books
• Access books on other Apple devices
• Listen to audiobooks
• Set reading goals
• Organize books
• Create and edit events in Calendar
• Send invitations
• Reply to invitations
• Change how you view events
• Search for events
• Change calendar and event settings
• Schedule or display events in a different time zone
• Keep track of events
• Use multiple calendars
• Use the Holidays calendar
• Share iCloud calendars
• Camera basics
• Set up your shot
• Apply Photographic Styles
• Take Live Photos
• Take Burst mode shots
• Take a selfie
• Take panoramic photos
• Take macro photos and videos
• Take portraits
• Take Night mode photos
• Take Apple ProRAW photos
• Adjust the shutter volume
• Adjust HDR camera settings
• Record videos
• Record spatial videos for Apple Vision Pro
• Record ProRes videos
• Record videos in Cinematic mode
• Change video recording settings
• Save camera settings
• Customize the Main camera lens
• Change advanced camera settings
• View, share, and print photos
• Use Live Text
• Scan a QR code
• See the world clock
• Set an alarm
• Change the next wake up alarm
• Use the stopwatch
• Use multiple timers
• Add and use contact information
• Edit contacts
• Add your contact info
• Use NameDrop on iPhone to share your contact info
• Use other contact accounts
• Use Contacts from the Phone app
• Merge or hide duplicate contacts
• Export contacts
• Get started with FaceTime
• Make FaceTime calls
• Receive FaceTime calls
• Create a FaceTime link
• Take a Live Photo
• Turn on Live Captions in a FaceTime call
• Use other apps during a call
• Make a Group FaceTime call
• View participants in a grid
• Use SharePlay to watch, listen, and play together
• Share your screen in a FaceTime call
• Collaborate on a document in FaceTime
• Use video conferencing features
• Hand off a FaceTime call to another Apple device
• Change the FaceTime video settings
• Change the FaceTime audio settings
• Change your appearance
• Leave a call or switch to Messages
• Block unwanted callers
• Report a call as spam
• Connect external devices or servers
• Modify files, folders, and downloads
• Search for files and folders
• Organize files and folders
• Set up iCloud Drive
• Share files and folders in iCloud Drive
• Share your location
• Meet up with a friend
• Send your location via satellite
• Add or remove a friend
• Locate a friend
• Get notified when friends change their location
• Notify a friend when your location changes
• Add your iPhone
• Add your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe
• Get notified if you leave a device behind
• Locate a device
• Mark a device as lost
• Erase a device
• Remove a device
• Add an AirTag
• Share an AirTag or other item in Find My on iPhone
• Add a third-party item
• Get notified if you leave an item behind
• Locate an item
• Mark an item as lost
• Remove an item
• Adjust map settings
• Get started with Fitness
• Track daily activity and change your move goal
• See your activity summary
• Sync a third-party workout app
• Change fitness notifications
• Share your activity
• Subscribe to Apple Fitness+
• Find Apple Fitness+ workouts and meditations
• Start an Apple Fitness+ workout or meditation
• Create a Custom Plan in Apple Fitness+
• Work out together using SharePlay
• Change what’s on the screen during an Apple Fitness+ workout or meditation
• Download an Apple Fitness+ workout or meditation
• Get started with Freeform
• Create a Freeform board
• Draw or handwrite
• Apply consistent styles
• Position items on a board
• Search Freeform boards
• Share and collaborate
• Delete and recover boards
• Get started with Health
• Fill out your Health Details
• Intro to Health data
• View your health data
• Share your health data
• View health data shared by others
• Download health records
• View health records
• Monitor your walking steadiness
• Log menstrual cycle information
• View menstrual cycle predictions and history
• Track your medications
• Learn more about your medications
• Log your state of mind
• Take a mental health assessment
• Set up a schedule for a Sleep Focus
• Turn off alarms and delete sleep schedules
• Add or change sleep schedules
• Turn Sleep Focus on or off
• Change your wind down period, sleep goal, and more
• View your sleep history
• Check your headphone levels
• Use audiogram data
• Register as an organ donor
• Back up your Health data
• Intro to Home
• Upgrade to the new Home architecture
• Set up accessories
• Control accessories
• Control your home using Siri
• Use Grid Forecast to plan your energy usage
• Set up HomePod
• Control your home remotely
• Create and use scenes
• Use automations
• Set up security cameras
• Use Face Recognition
• Unlock your door with a home key
• Configure a router
• Invite others to control accessories
• Add more homes
• Get music, movies, and TV shows
• Get ringtones
• Manage purchases and settings
• Get started with Journal
• Write in your journal
• Review your past journal entries
• Change Journal settings
• Magnify nearby objects
• Change settings
• Detect people around you
• Detect doors around you
• Receive image descriptions of your surroundings
• Read aloud text and labels around you
• Set up shortcuts for Detection Mode
• Add and remove email accounts
• Set up a custom email domain
• Check your email
• Unsend email with Undo Send
• Reply to and forward emails
• Save an email draft
• Add email attachments
• Download email attachments
• Annotate email attachments
• Set email notifications
• Search for email
• Organize email in mailboxes
• Flag or block emails
• Filter emails
• Use Hide My Email
• Use Mail Privacy Protection
• Change email settings
• Delete and recover emails
• Add a Mail widget to your Home Screen
• Print emails
• Get travel directions
• Select other route options
• Find stops along your route
• View a route overview or a list of turns
• Change settings for spoken directions
• Get driving directions
• Get directions to your parked car
• Set up electric vehicle routing
• Report traffic incidents
• Get cycling directions
• Get walking directions
• Get transit directions
• Delete recent directions
• Get traffic and weather info
• Estimate travel time and ETA
• Download offline maps
• Search for places
• Find nearby attractions, restaurants, and services
• Get information about places
• Mark places
• Share places
• Rate places
• Save favorite places
• Explore new places with Guides
• Organize places in My Guides
• Delete significant locations
• Look around places
• Take Flyover tours
• Find your Maps settings
• Measure dimensions
• View and save measurements
• Measure a person’s height
• Use the level
• Set up Messages
• About iMessage
• Send and reply to messages
• Unsend and edit messages
• Keep track of messages
• Forward and share messages
• Group conversations
• Watch, listen, or play together using SharePlay
• Collaborate on projects
• Use iMessage apps
• Take and edit photos or videos
• Share photos, links, and more
• Send stickers
• Request, send, and receive payments
• Send and receive audio messages
• Animate messages
• Change notifications
• Block, filter, and report messages
• Delete messages and attachments
• Recover deleted messages
• View albums, playlists, and more
• Show song credits and lyrics
• Queue up your music
• Listen to broadcast radio
• Subscribe to Apple Music
• Play music together in the car with iPhone
• Listen to lossless music
• Listen to Dolby Atmos music
• Apple Music Sing
• Find new music
• Add music and listen offline
• Get personalized recommendations
• Listen to radio
• Search for music
• Create playlists
• See what your friends are listening to
• Use Siri to play music
• Change the way music sounds
• Get started with News
• Use News widgets
• See news stories chosen just for you
• Read stories
• Follow your favorite teams with My Sports
• Listen to Apple News Today
• Subscribe to Apple News+
• Browse and read Apple News+ stories and issues
• Download Apple News+ issues
• Listen to audio stories
• Solve crossword puzzles
• Search for news stories
• Save stories in News for later
• Subscribe to individual news channels
• Get started with Notes
• Add or remove accounts
• Create and format notes
• Draw or write
• Add photos, videos, and more
• Scan text and documents
• Work with PDFs
• Create Quick Notes
• Search notes
• Organize in folders
• Organize with tags
• Use Smart Folders
• Export or print notes
• Change Notes settings
• Make a call
• Answer or decline incoming calls
• While on a call
• Set up voicemail
• Check voicemail
• Change voicemail greeting and settings
• Select ringtones and vibrations
• Make calls using Wi-Fi
• Set up call forwarding and call waiting
• Avoid unwanted calls
• View photos and videos
• Play videos and slideshows
• Delete or hide photos and videos
• Edit photos and videos
• Trim video length and adjust slow motion
• Edit Cinematic mode videos
• Edit Live Photos
• Edit portraits
• Use photo albums
• Edit, share, and organize albums
• Filter and sort photos and videos in albums
• Make stickers from your photos
• Duplicate and copy photos and videos
• Merge duplicate photos and videos
• Search for photos
• Identify people and pets
• Browse photos by location
• Share photos and videos
• Share long videos
• View photos and videos shared with you
• Watch memories
• Personalize your memories
• Manage memories and featured photos
• Use iCloud Photos
• Create shared albums
• Add and remove people in a shared album
• Add and delete photos and videos in a shared album
• Set up or join an iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Add content to an iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Use iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Import and export photos and videos
• Print photos
• Find podcasts
• Listen to podcasts
• Follow your favorite podcasts
• Use the Podcasts widget
• Organize your podcast library
• Download, save, or share podcasts
• Subscribe to podcasts
• Listen to subscriber-only content
• Change download settings
• Make a grocery list
• Add items to a list
• Edit and manage a list
• Search and organize lists
• Work with templates
• Use Smart Lists
• Print reminders
• Use the Reminders widget
• Change Reminders settings
• Browse the web
• Search for websites
• Customize your Safari settings
• Change the layout
• Use Safari profiles
• Open and close tabs
• Organize your tabs
• View your Safari tabs from another Apple device
• Share Tab Groups
• Use Siri to listen to a webpage
• Bookmark favorite webpages
• Save pages to a Reading List
• Find links shared with you
• Annotate and save a webpage as a PDF
• Automatically fill in forms
• Get extensions
• Hide ads and distractions
• Clear your cache
• Browse the web privately
• Use passkeys in Safari
• Check stocks
• Manage multiple watchlists
• Read business news
• Add earnings reports to your calendar
• Use a Stocks widget
• Translate text, voice, and conversations
• Translate text in apps
• Translate with the camera view
• Subscribe to Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass, or an Apple TV channel
• Add your TV provider
• Get shows, movies, and more
• Watch sports
• Watch Major League Soccer with MLS Season Pass
• Control playback
• Manage your library
• Change the settings
• Make a recording
• Play it back
• Edit or delete a recording
• Keep recordings up to date
• Organize recordings
• Search for or rename a recording
• Share a recording
• Duplicate a recording
• Keep cards and passes in Wallet
• Set up Apple Pay
• Use Apple Pay for contactless payments
• Use Apple Pay in apps and on the web
• Track your orders
• Use Apple Cash
• Use Apple Card
• Use Savings
• Pay for transit
• Access your home, hotel room, and vehicle
• Add identity cards
• Use COVID-19 vaccination cards
• Check your Apple Account balance
• Use Express Mode
• Organize your Wallet
• Remove cards or passes
• Check the weather
• Check the weather in other locations
• View weather maps
• Manage weather notifications
• Use Weather widgets
• Learn the weather icons
• Find out what Siri can do
• Tell Siri about yourself
• Have Siri announce calls and notifications
• Add Siri Shortcuts
• About Siri Suggestions
• Use Siri in your car
• Change Siri settings
• Contact emergency services
• Use Emergency SOS via satellite
• Request Roadside Assistance via satellite
• Set up and view your Medical ID
• Use Check In
• Manage Crash Detection
• Reset privacy and security settings in an emergency
• Set up Family Sharing
• Add Family Sharing members
• Remove Family Sharing members
• Share subscriptions
• Share purchases
• Share locations with family and locate lost devices
• Set up Apple Cash Family and Apple Card Family
• Set up parental controls
• Set up a child’s device
• Get started with Screen Time
• Protect your vision health with Screen Distance
• Set up Screen Time
• Set communication and safety limits and block inappropriate content
• Charging cable
• Power adapters
• MagSafe chargers and battery packs
• MagSafe cases and sleeves
• Qi-certified wireless chargers
• Use AirPods
• Use EarPods
• Apple Watch
• Wirelessly stream videos and photos to Apple TV or a smart TV
• Connect to a display with a cable
• HomePod and other wireless speakers
• Pair Magic Keyboard
• Enter characters with diacritical marks
• Switch between keyboards
• Use shortcuts
• Choose an alternative keyboard layout
• Change typing assistance options
• External storage devices
• Bluetooth accessories
• Share your internet connection
• Allow phone calls on your iPad and Mac
• Use iPhone as a webcam
• Hand off tasks between devices
• Cut, copy, and paste between iPhone and other devices
• Stream video or mirror the screen of your iPhone
• Start SharePlay instantly
• Use AirDrop to send items
• Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable
• Transfer files between devices
• Transfer files with email, messages, or AirDrop
• Transfer files or sync content with the Finder or iTunes
• Automatically keep files up to date with iCloud
• Use an external storage device, a file server, or a cloud storage service
• Intro to CarPlay
• Connect to CarPlay
• Use your vehicle’s built-in controls
• Get turn-by-turn directions
• Change the map view
• Make phone calls
• View your calendar
• Send and receive text messages
• Announce incoming text messages
• Play podcasts
• Play audiobooks
• Listen to news stories
• Control your home
• Use other apps with CarPlay
• Rearrange icons on CarPlay Home
• Change settings in CarPlay
• Get started with accessibility features
• Turn on accessibility features for setup
• Change Siri accessibility settings
• Open features with Accessibility Shortcut
• Change color and brightness
• Make text easier to read
• Reduce onscreen motion
• Customize per-app visual settings
• Hear what’s on the screen or typed
• Hear audio descriptions
• Turn on and practice VoiceOver
• Change your VoiceOver settings
• Use VoiceOver gestures
• Operate iPhone when VoiceOver is on
• Control VoiceOver using the rotor
• Use the onscreen keyboard
• Write with your finger
• Use VoiceOver with an Apple external keyboard
• Use a braille display
• Type braille on the screen
• Customize gestures and keyboard shortcuts
• Use VoiceOver with a pointer device
• Use VoiceOver for images and videos
• Use VoiceOver in apps
• Use AssistiveTouch
• Adjust how iPhone responds to your touch
• Use Reachability
• Auto-answer calls
• Turn off vibration
• Change Face ID and attention settings
• Use Voice Control
• Adjust the side or Home button
• Use Apple TV Remote buttons
• Adjust pointer settings
• Adjust keyboard settings
• Adjust AirPods settings
• Turn on Apple Watch Mirroring
• Control a nearby Apple device
• Intro to Switch Control
• Set up and turn on Switch Control
• Select items, perform actions, and more
• Control several devices with one switch
• Use hearing devices
• Use Live Listen
• Use sound recognition
• Set up and use RTT and TTY
• Flash the LED for alerts
• Adjust audio settings
• Play background sounds
• Display subtitles and captions
• Show transcriptions for Intercom messages
• Get Live Captions (beta)
• Type to speak
• Record a Personal Voice
• Use Guided Access
• Use built-in privacy and security protections
• Set a passcode
• Set up Face ID
• Set up Touch ID
• Control access to information on the Lock Screen
• Keep your Apple ID secure
• Use passkeys to sign in to apps and websites
• Sign in with Apple
• Share passwords
• Automatically fill in strong passwords
• Change weak or compromised passwords
• View your passwords and related information
• Share passkeys and passwords securely with AirDrop
• Make your passkeys and passwords available on all your devices
• Automatically fill in verification codes
• Automatically fill in SMS passcodes
• Sign in with fewer CAPTCHA challenges
• Use two-factor authentication
• Use security keys
• Manage information sharing with Safety Check
• Control app tracking permissions
• Control the location information you share
• Control access to information in apps
• Control how Apple delivers advertising to you
• Control access to hardware features
• Create and manage Hide My Email addresses
• Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay
• Use a private network address
• Use Advanced Data Protection
• Use Lockdown Mode
• Use Stolen Device Protection
• Receive warnings about sensitive content
• Use Contact Key Verification
• Turn iPhone on or off
• Force restart iPhone
• Back up iPhone
• Return iPhone settings to their defaults
• Restore all content from a backup
• Restore purchased and deleted items
• Sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone
• Erase iPhone
• Install or remove configuration profiles
• Important safety information
• Important handling information
• Find more resources for software and service
• FCC compliance statement
• ISED Canada compliance statement
• Ultra Wideband information
• Class 1 Laser information
• Apple and the environment
• Disposal and recycling information
• Unauthorized modification of iOS

Set up Screen Time on iPhone

In Screen Time, you can schedule time away from the screen, set time limits for app use, and more.

Schedule time away from the screen

You can block apps and notifications for periods when you want time away from your devices. For example, you might want to schedule downtime during meals or at bedtime.

During downtime, only calls, messages, and apps you choose to allow are available. You can receive calls from contacts you’ve selected to allow communication with during downtime , and you can use apps you’ve chosen to allow at all times .

Tap App & Website Activity, then turn on App & Website Activity if you haven’t already.

Tap Downtime, then do one of the following:

Tap Turn On Downtime Until Tomorrow.

Tap Scheduled to schedule downtime in advance.

When you schedule downtime, a 5-minute reminder is sent before downtime begins. You can ignore the reminder, or turn on downtime until the beginning of the scheduled downtime.

Select Every Day or Customize Days, then set the start and end times.

You can turn off the Downtime schedule at any time by turning off Scheduled.

Set limits for app use

You can set a time limit for a category of apps (for example, Games or Social Networking) and for individual apps.

Tap App Limits, then tap Add Limit.

Select one or more app categories.

To set limits for individual apps, tap the category name to see all the apps in that category, then select the apps you want to limit. If you select multiple categories or apps, the time limit you set applies to all of them.

Tap Next at the top right, then set the amount of time allowed.

To set an amount of time for each day, tap Customize Days, then set limits for specific days.

When you finish setting limits, tap Add.

Choose apps and contacts to allow at all times

You can specify apps that can be used and contacts you can communicate with at all times—for example, in the event of an emergency—even during downtime.

To specify contacts you want to allow communication with, tap Contacts.

The option you selected in Communication Limits appears here. You can change this setting to Specific Contacts, then choose one of the following:

Choose From My Contacts: To select specific people to allow communication with.

Add New Contact: To add a new contact and allow communication with that person.

Track the April 8 total solar eclipse with SkySafari, now 80% off

Jump into solar eclipse viewing for only 99 cents.

SkySafari is celebrating the solar eclipse, and you can grab it on a great deal through April 8.

The entry-level version of SkySafari 7 , which features on our best stargazing apps guide, locates millions of planets, stars and constellations with a single screen tap. It is on sale right now for just $0.99 , just in time for the next total solar eclipse. That's an 80% discount from the usual $4.99, so make sure to act quickly.

Affiliated apps SkySafari Plus and SkySafari Pro will also go on sale roughly one week before the eclipse, with pricing details to be released later. You can also keep up to date with the latest eclipse content on our  eclipse live blog  and  watch all the total eclipse action  live here on Space.com. 

Related: Total solar eclipse 2024: Everything you need to know

SkySafari 7 Basic stargazing app <a href="https://skysafariastronomy.com/Eclipse-Safari.html" data-link-merchant="skysafariastronomy.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> now 80% off .

The 'Basic' version of SkySafari 7 is 80% off until eclipse day. Act fast to access the solar eclipse features ahead of the big day on April 8 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Space.com already gave SkySafari 7 five stars due to its planetarium and telescope features, but company developers told Space.com that more is in store for the solar eclipse that goes across the United States, and parts of Mexico and Canada.

"Android versions of our apps now include special eclipse features, a functionality previously exclusive to our iOS apps," a statement to Space.com read. "All SkySafari users now have access to our interactive eclipse map, allowing them to find the best location and times to view the eclipse without requiring a subscription."

Also, one week before the eclipse, users will see a special "Eclipse" button on the main page, helping viewers find the eclipse panel. The app includes a "new realistic simulation of a total solar eclipse", in which you'll see the sun's super-hot atmosphere or corona, and " Baily's beads " that appear as the sun shines through the moon's rugged terrain.

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Read more: 10 phenomena to see and photograph during April's total solar eclipse

SkySafari 7 also offers social stargazing for seeing what other users are doing in real-time, along with an improved interface, tilt-to-slew scope control and augmented reality voice control.

In between finding the best telescope deals , the best binoculars deals and the best solar viewing kits , make sure to get 80% off SkySafari 7 's basic app to get ready for the big solar eclipse day.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, " Why Am I Taller ?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace

7 things to buy to safely watch and photograph the total solar eclipse

How to view solar eclipse 2024 with items from around the home

SpaceX's Starship could fly again as soon as early May

Most Popular

By Mike Wall March 20, 2024

By Robert Lea March 20, 2024

By Josh Dinner March 20, 2024

By Mike Wall March 19, 2024

By Joe Rao March 19, 2024

By Meredith Garofalo March 19, 2024

By Josh Dinner March 19, 2024

By Jeff Spry March 19, 2024

By Robert Lea March 19, 2024

By Keith Cooper March 19, 2024

• 2 China launches satellite to support future moon missions (video)
• 3 1 in 12 stars might have swallowed a planet
• 4 Whee! Zip down from the launch tower in SpaceX's new emergency-escape slide (video)
• 5 Wage interplanetary war in upcoming space strategy game 'Falling Frontier' (video)

• Share full article

Frugal Traveler

A Cheapskate in Monterey

We put the California county, known for its exclusive towns and fancy golf courses, to the frugal test, combining a hefty dose of stunning nature with affordable restaurants, budget lodgings and a few splurges.

The jellyfish exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Caif. At $59.95 for admission, the aquarium, the author writes, “is a worthy splurge, offering opportunities to encounter creatures large, small, wondrous and rare.” Credit... Jason Henry for The New York Times

Supported by

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

• March 20, 2024

My first view of Monterey Bay on California’s Central Coast was thrilling — a raft of 40-something sea otters — and free. The next time I would get close to them, at the Monterey Bay Aquarium , it cost nearly $60. That split between free access to outdoor wonders and investment-grade attractions epitomized my experience in the area.

Like so much of coastal California, the Monterey Peninsula, home to famous Pebble Beach golf courses and exclusive towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea (known simply as Carmel), connotes wealth. It is encompassed by Monterey County, a roughly 3,300-square-mile area, which includes Big Sur, where accommodations at luxury resorts like the Post Ranch Inn start at around $1,500 a night.

With a budget of less than half of that for three days, I put Monterey — the town and the county — to the frugal test. In January, a quiet and thrifty time of year, I trusted parks and preserves, unsung hotels and small businesses to keep things economical, even if sampling the variety of Monterey — ranging from historic cities to redwood forests, tide pools and vineyards — required renting a car ($175).

Seeking Steinbeck

My introduction to Monterey, John Steinbeck’s 1945 classic novel “Cannery Row,” describes its waterfront lined in sardine canneries as “a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.” It’s hard to find that gritty romance along today’s Cannery Row , which boomed in the 1930s and ’40s, before overfishing killed supply.

Now chains such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Sunglass Hut replace “weedy lots and junk heaps,” though a central plaza with bronze sculptures of Steinbeck and some of his characters pays tribute to the past.

Still, the spirit of the book’s protagonist, Doc — a marine biologist based on the real-life scientist Ed Ricketts — lives on at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is housed in the former Hovden Cannery. At $59.95 for admission, the aquarium is a worthy splurge, offering opportunities to encounter creatures large, small, wondrous and rare.

“We bring the ocean to people to inspire them with things they might not get to see otherwise,” said Madi Frazier, an aquarium naturalist, as she guided me to a kelp forest modeled on the one found just beyond the bayfront building’s glass walls.

A wing devoted to deepwater ecology held bright red bloody-belly comb jellyfish, stringy bioluminescent siphonophores and four-foot-high Japanese spider crabs that inched along in the gloom. A dune-style aviary offered opportunities to observe a normally skittish red knot at close range. Bat rays glided beneath tentative fingers in shallow touch tanks.

A few blocks away, Katie Blandin named her five-year-old cocktail bar Pearl Hour after “the hour of the pearl,” described in “Cannery Row” as “the interval between day and night when time stops and examines itself.”

We met during happy hour — 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday — when classic cocktails such as the Corpse Reviver No. 2 go for $10 (normally $13). Ms. Blandin plants the bar’s back patio in succulents, flowers and herbs, many of which make their way into her cocktails.

“I think even a cocktail should have a sense of terroir,” she said.

Old Monterey

The oldest part of Monterey — an outpost of Spain and then Mexico dating back to the 17th century — lies just over a mile south of Cannery Row in a pedestrian-friendly downtown where signs flag historic adobe buildings.

Among several modestly priced hotels there, I booked the Hotel Abrego , where my $130-a-night room included a Keurig coffee machine and spacious glassed-in shower. Its $20 nightly resort fee, included in the room total, covered parking, a hot breakfast buffet and a glass of wine.

It was easy walking distance to lively Alvarado Street, lined in restaurants and shops. A 19th-century complex, the Cooper Molera Adobe , includes an orchard, barn and house museum (free) behind its walls, and the Alta Bakery and Cafe , where I sipped coffee ($3) on the tranquil patio.

Down the block, Ad Astra Bread Co . sells aromatic loaves of sourdough ($10 each) from Ron Mendoza, the former pastry chef at the Michelin-starred Aubergine in nearby Carmel.

“For the last five years, some of our leading chefs have abandoned fine dining and opened artisanal food businesses,” said Deborah Luhrman, the editor and publisher of the food magazine Edible Monterey Bay , who recommended both bakeries.

The brewpub Alvarado Street Brewery was buzzing when I stopped in for a quinoa bowl ($16) and a Mai Tai tropical I.P.A. for $8. Nearby, my favorite cheap find, El Charrito Express , served substantial barbacoa wraps stuffed with marinated beef, beans and rice for $6.99.

Chancing it in Carmel

From the outset, it felt like a losing bet to take my penny-pinching budget to chic Carmel-by-the-Sea, the one-square-mile seaside town where the actor Clint Eastwood was once mayor.

Even getting there comes at a price: 17-Mile Drive , the coastal scenic route, costs $12 to drive. Fortunately, it’s free to cyclists, which helped take the edge off the cost of the bike I rented to explore some of Monterey’s celebrated cycling routes .

From the bike shop Mad Dogs & Englishmen in Monterey, I rented an electric bike ($40 for four hours) to assist in the long ride — about 28 miles round-trip — and its hills. The deal included free valet parking for my car at the adjacent Monterey Place Hotel & Spa.

On a cool January morning, frothy aquamarine waves broke on the granite rocks that barricaded the coast, tempting me to stop every half mile or so to admire their churn. A thick fog blew in as I reached the area’s renowned shorefront links, dramatizing their sand bunkers and wind-shorn cypress trees. I passed a landscape painter and jaw-dropping Pebble Beach mansions before coasting into Carmel.

Amid luxury retailers like Tiffany and Bottega Veneta I found the new Korean restaurant Jeju Kitchen in the outdoor Carmel Plaza . My salmon rice bowl was not cheap at $26, but it was delicious, substantial and only a few dollars more than food truck options at the Carmel Farmers Market across the street.

Monarchs, redwoods and waterfalls

It was far easier to stretch my budget seeking nature in Monterey, home to 99 miles of coastline.

I started at the 2.4-acre Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary , where mature Monterey pine trees attract overwintering butterflies that are known to cluster in groups of up to 1,000 from November through February (free).

Using binoculars, I spied bright orange monarchs catching early-morning rays from the tips of pine boughs like mini-solar panels. A pair of deer grazed in the shade below while a set of acorn woodpeckers chattered in the treetops. The abundant bird life drew the attention of two red-shouldered hawks, which glided in silently.

Continuing south along the coast, I spent a sunny afternoon at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (admission $10). The craggy headland has been the setting for classic Hollywood films, including Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rebecca,” and attracted the photographers Edward Weston and Ansel Adams .

The reserve, which has a special conservation status within the state park system, was created by a land donation to protect its cypress grove, according to Kathleen Lee, the executive director of the nonprofit Point Lobos Foundation , which supports the park with fund-raising and docent training. In a phone interview, she directed me to the forest, noting that it is “one of only two native Monterey cypress groves remaining in California.”

Atop vertiginous cliffs, a trail wound bravely through the wind-sculpted trees. Below them, harbor seals appeared in the backwash of coves. A short drive south, I scrambled over wet rocks at Weston Beach — named for the photographer — to find tide pools filled with sea stars, anemones and hermit crabs.

Waning light chased me from the park as I set out south, eager to make the drive down famously curvy Highway 1 in Big Sur before dark. The rugged coast of towering redwoods and mountains that plunge into the ocean was named El Sur Grande , or the Big South, by Mexican colonizers as an unmapped wilderness.

Twenty-two miles south of Point Lobos, Ripplewood Resort got its start when the highway was being built in the 1920s. I booked a rustic but comfortable cabin there for $135 a night and woke to find it ideally located just a few miles north of Big Sur Bakery , a beacon of artisanal baking that seemed impossible in such a remote location (a Cheddar-and-chive scone cost $5.50).

Ripplewood also lies close to a series of coastal parks, including Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park , where the four-mile Buzzard’s Roost Trail ascended amid redwoods to ridge-top ocean views (admission, $10, good at all state parks for the day). Nine more wiggly miles south, McWay Falls cascades onto a pristine beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park . Between them, I stopped at frequent turnouts to scan for migrating gray whales exhaling telltale spouts.

A safari and a tasting

The survival of southern sea otters in California is a comeback story. Hunted nearly to extinction for their thick pelts, sea otters managed to hang on in the most remote coves and crags of Big Sur, where a few individuals were discovered in 1938. Now numbering about 3,000, the endangered marine mammals are some of the most charismatic residents in the Central Coast’s kelp beds.

They also thrive in Elkhorn Slough , a coastal wetland preserve in Moss Landing, about 27 miles north of Monterey. There, I boarded an electric catamaran from Monterey Bay Eco Tours to troll the calm waters on a 90-minute cruise ($45).

Within minutes, we spotted harbor seals hauled out on muddy banks shared by marbled godwits, black-necked stilts and whimbrel, some of the park’s more than 300 species of birds. Mother otters fed their babies sea cucumbers, gave them swimming lessons and carried sleeping pups as they floated on their backs.

“Elkhorn Slough is a low-stress environment for them,” said Cindy Rice, a naturalist guide leading the tour.

The drive to my last stop — Monterey’s vineyards — took me through the agricultural flats surrounding Salinas, which grows 70 percent of the nation’s salad greens, some 20 miles to the Salinas Valley , which nurtures pinot noir and chardonnay grapes in the foothills of the Santa Lucia range.

Attracted by vintage tractors, I turned into the family-owned Rustiqué Wines and found its convivial tasting room lodged in a former dairy barn filled not with hushed aficionados swirling and evaluating wine, but with a sociable crowd enjoying glasses of estate pinot noir and oaked chardonnay in the spirit of happy hours everywhere.

The winemaker Chad Silacci and two other family members worked the bar and the crowd. The winery, established in 2006, has built a following through concerts, events and warm hospitality (tastings cost $20, waived with a two-bottle purchase).

“We want it to be comfortable,” Mr. Silacci said, indicating the tasting room’s sofas and chairs arrayed around a wood-burning stove. “It’s kind of like walking into our family’s living room.”

I finished an earthy pinot, thinking the investment, like so many in Monterey, paid unanticipated returns.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

Italy :  Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.

Southern California :  Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.

Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .

Romania :  Timisoara  may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.

India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Advertisement