If you’re planning to visit Pench National Park, look no further. In this Pench National Park travel guide, I have included the park’s info, timings, entry fee, how to get there, where to stay, things to do, the best time to visit, and travel tips.

I recently travelled to Pench National Park. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision and unplanned. Summer was almost over, and soon the rains would arrive, and it was the perfect time to squeeze in a short road trip. That’s how I decided to travel to Pench National Park.

Additional reading:- Here’s a list of other places to visit in Madhya Pradesh.

Before I continue, I would like to note that I didn’t see any tigers. I had booked four safaris, two in the morning and two in the evening. I was slightly disappointed I didn’t see any tigers, but that’s ok.

While I didn’t see any tigers, I came across herds of spotted deer, Gaurs, peacocks, Indian Sambhars, jackals and several pretty birds. I still had fun and enjoyed the jungle safaris.

ABOUT PENCH NATIONAL PARK

Remember the story, “Jungle Book”? The jungle where Mowgli lives?

Yes, you guessed it, Pench National Park.

The infamous childhood story mentions Seoni, and Pench is in the Seoni and Chindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Pench is a national park in Madhya Pradesh and partly in Maharashtra, is a wildlife sanctuary and a tiger reserve.

The widespread forest is home to the Bengal tiger, Indian Sambar, Gaur, jackals, wild dogs, spotted deer, and a bird watchers paradise.

Pench National Park has zones in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Khursapar Gate and Sillari are in Maharashtra, and Turia Gate, Teliya, Jamtara, and Khawasa buffer zone are in Madhya Pradesh. Each zone is different in terms of vegetation and animal habitats.

Turia Gate is the best place to spot the Bengal tiger, jackals, spotted deer and other wild animals.

Other zones are just as beautiful and a must-visit.

NOTE:- You can book a safari to any one or all zones.

SAFARI BOOKING AND TIMINGS

SAFARI TIMINGS

Pench National Park has three seasons- summer, winter and monsoon.

The morning and evening safari timings differ according to season.

Pench National Park experiences the summer from March – June.

The morning safari is from 6:30 am – 9:30 am, and the evening safari is from 4 pm – 6:30 pm.

November to February are the winter months.

The morning safari is from 7:30 am – 10:30 am, and the evening safari is from 3 pm to 5:30 pm.

Pench National Park remains closed during the monsoon months from July to September.

TRAVEL TIP:- Try to book a morning safari, as it is longer than the evening one, and you have a higher chance of spotting tigers.

SAFARI BOOKINGS

There are two ways to book a safari- online and offline, at the ticket counters in Pench National Park.

The online process is simple- visit the government website, and fill out the form details (type of ticket, names of visitors, date, time and gate name).

For offline booking, visit the ticket counter at the respective gates. Fill out the form details (type of ticket, names of visitors, date, time, gate name). Present valid identification, pay the amount and wait for the approval.

TRAVEL TIP:– Safari bookings become invalid if the information is incorrect or the names of visitors are wrong.

TRAVEL TIP:- For offline and online bookings, you need valid identification for all visitors.

SAFARI TICKETS

There are two types of tickets – single-seat and full Jeep.

A single ticket means sharing a jeep with strangers.

TICKETS:- A single-seat permit is Rs.2,000 on weekdays, Rs.2,300 on weekends for Indians and Rs.3,000 on weekdays, and Rs.4,000 on weekends for foreigners.

Or you can book the entire Jeep for yourself or your group of six.

TICKETS:- A full jeep costs Rs.6,500 on weekdays, Rs.8,500 at weekends for Indians, Rs.12,000 on weekdays and Rs.18,000 on weekends for foreigners.

The full-jeep ticket price includes pickup and drop-off at the hotel, entry ticket, guide fee and vehicle fee.

NOTE:- They also have camper vans for larger groups.

BEST TIME TO VISIT PENCH NATIONAL PARK

Pench National Park is open for nine months of the year.

During the monsoon months, from July to September, sometimes mid-October, Pench remains closed.

The summer months, from March to June, are the busiest.

It is the best time for spotting wild animals and tigers because the temperature is high.

TRAVEL TIP:- Temperature rises to 45°C during the summer, so wear hats and carry plenty of water for the safari.

October to February is the winter season and is the low season.

The temperature is lower compared to the summer months, and it is the ideal time to explore the national park and participate in walking tours.

The chances of spotting tigers during winter are lower, but you can see other wild animals and birds.

HOW TO REACH PENCH NATIONAL PARK?

You can reach Pench National Park by road, train or flight.

The easiest way to Pench National Park is by road.

PUNE TO PENCH BY ROAD

Pune is connected to Pench National Park by the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway and national highways.

There are two routes from Pune to Pench– via Shirdi and Ahmednagar.

The road from Shirdi is time-consuming and in bad condition, so Ahmednagar is the better option.

From Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) to Nagpur, you’ll be using the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway.

Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway has only two or three open fuel stations, so fuel up whenever possible. Don’t wait for the next petrol pump. Also, there are no restaurants till Nagpur, so carry lots of water and snacks.

PUNE TO PENCH BY FLIGHT

There are two airports near Pench National Park – Nagpur international airport (130 km) and Jabalpur domestic airport (210 km).

Take a flight to Nagpur or Jabalpur from Pune, then hire a taxi to Pench National Park.

PUNE TO PENCH BY TRAIN

There are three train stations near Pench National Park. They are – Nagpur (130 km), Jabalpur (210 km) and Seoni (72 km). From the train station, taxis and car services are available.

THINGS TO DO NEAR PENCH NATIONAL PARK

PANCHDHAR, THE POTTER’S VILLAGE

Panchdhar is a village in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh. It is 9 km from Pench National Park. The tribal hamlet, named after the Panchdhar River, is known for its pottery. Here, you can see each household making earthen pots and vessels.

Panchdhar is a quiet village with kaccha (mud) houses painted blue and white. It is a great place to spend time. You can try your hand at pottery in one of the workshops. Or buy souvenirs.

Many hotels and camps organise jeep tours to the village.

WALKING TRAIL

Are you tired of watching the jungle from the Jeep? Take a walking tour through the Pench National Park. It is the best way to explore the wide range of flora and fauna.

The walking trail is 3-4 km and takes a few hours. You can’t do this tour by yourself. You’ll have to book a spot through your hotel or check in at one of the gates.

WHERE TO STAY IN PENCH NATIONAL PARK?

Pench National Park has a variety of accommodations ranging from camps to eco resorts to luxury hotels, such as the Baghvan by Taj, the Olive and the Jungle Book Pench.

I stayed at the Jungle Home Pench Hotel, an African-themed hotel.

Jungle Home Pench Hotel is near Turia Gate, so it was an obvious choice, and also, it was the only one available on short notice.

The rooms are big and spacious, and the bathrooms are clean and have running hot water.

The pool is big and could use a little care.

They have an in-house restaurant where I dined and loved the food.

The staff was attentive and helped us to book safaris.

Overall, it was a lovely stay at the Jungle Home Pench.

TRAVEL TIPS

I have already added travel tips in blue boxes throughout the Pench National Park travel guide, but here’s a recap of all the travel tips.

• Pench National Park is closed from July to September.
• March to June are the peak months, and hotels get sold out quickly.
• Turia Gate is closed on Wednesdays.
• Book safaris online during the summer months because seats are limited.
• Carry valid identification for booking safaris.
• Wear hats and caps during summer and carry plenty of water.
• The morning safaris are longer than the evening ones.
• Turia Gate is the best place to spot tigers, but it is not guaranteed. I went on four safaris, and not once did I see a tiger.
• Try to be quiet during the safari so you can hear the calls of the wild animals.
• Most hotels pack breakfast for guests going on a morning safari. You’ll be having breakfast in the jungle.
• Book at least two or three safaris. It will increase your chances of spotting wild animals.

CONCLUSION

I had a wonderful time visiting Pench National Park. It was like stepping into Mowgli’s world in the “Jungle Book”.

While I didn’t see any tigers, I came across herds of spotted deer, Gaurs, peacocks, Indian Sambhars, jackals and several pretty birds.

Hopefully, you can spot a tiger during your visit to Pench National Park.

That brings us to the end of the Pench National Park travel guide. I hope you found the Pench National Park travel guide helpful. If I missed anything or you have queries, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

There’s always an adventure waiting in the woods

katelyn s bolds