The Pench National Park is an iconic place to go on a safari for those interested in seeing wildlife in Central India. The park is located within the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra with the majority of its area covered by dry teak forests and open grasslands. The variety of wildlife found in Pench is very abundant as well. In addition to the great diversity of animal life, the scenery also has much of which is thought to have impacted the creation of The Jungle Book; therefore, many people are drawn to this location as well.
In order to make the travel arrangements for those individuals who plan to visit, it is important that they understand the hours of operation, locations of entrances, and best times to visit so they can plan their holiday with minimal issues.
Safari Gates in Pench
Multiple tourist entryways exist at Pench, leading into various regions of the park. The Turia Gate is the most commonly used entry point to the Madhya Pradesh side of the park, because of the proximity of the lodges and hotels, making it a practical choice for those wishing to go on an early morning safari.
The Karmajhiri Gate is another entry point leading into a much quieter section of the park, with a number of other scenic safari routes. The Jamtara Gate provides a more secluded experience than either of the two previous gateways, and it is also far less crowded than both of them.
The Sillari Gate is the primary entry point to Pench from the Maharashtra side. It is less frequently used compared to the two major entrances on the Madhya Pradesh side, but there is very little compromise as far as wildlife sightings or the natural beauty of the forests are concerned.
Safari Timings
There are two safaris a day – morning and afternoon – with varied times of day dependent on the month (changes with daylight hours) and the season.
The morning safari takes place shortly after sunrise for about 3 hours; it is the time when the wildlife are most active and moving around before the temperatures become very hot in the afternoon. The afternoon safari starts later than the morning safari and continues until sunset, when the forest will start to cool again.
It is very important for visitors to be on time when arriving at the entry gate of the reserve; permits is essentially checked by a person at the entry gate and vehicles entering or leaving the reserve are required to follow the exact time schedule established by the forest authorities.
Best Season to Visit
Pench National Park is open to tourists/visitors. The park opens from October to June. The cooler months (October – February) are especially good for safari trips as it is typically very pleasant weather and clear vision across the entire forest landscape.
From March through May, the temperature increases; however, there is a chance you might see some wildlife during this time period too. The animals congregate around those water sources, as it becomes harder to find water. Although the temperature may be extremely hot (due to the time of day), the safari in the early morning hours can be very rewarding.
The park typically closes during the monsoon months (July – September). The closure period allows the forest to rest and provides a calmer place for wildlife and guests as it reopens after the rainy season ends.
Planning Your Stay
Since safaris start early, many visitors prefer staying near the main entry gates to reduce travel time in the morning. Accommodation options range from small forest lodges to comfortable wildlife resorts located close to the park boundary. Travellers often arrange their stay while planning safari permits, and some prefer using online hotel booking platforms to find places near the gates that suit their schedule.
What to Expect from a Pench Safari?
The wildlife safaris are more relaxed and therefore, you will have a better opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat. Your guide will assist you in spotting and identifying different wildlife species, as well as explain the behaviour of different species.
Though tiger sightings are very rare, the forest itself provides an equally good natural experience. The peace and tranquillity found in the forest due to the vastness of the teak trees, birdsong and glimpses of animals are all contributors to making each safari unique.
