Best time to visit Pench

Best time to visit Pench National Park

Pench National Park, renowned for its rich biodiversity and as the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, offers an exhilarating wildlife safari experience. The jeep safari in Pench National Park is the best attraction to experience for which basic knowledge about the safari zones of Pench National Park is necessary. The national park is divided into several safari zones, that are categorised into buffer and core zones. Each safari region provides unique opportunities to witness Pench’s vibrant wildlife, including the majestic Bengal tiger, leopards, and diverse bird species. Being located in the bordering areas of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, a few core zones are on the Maharashtra side, while Madhya Pradesh houses both core and buffer zones.  

Core Zones of Pench in Maharashtra

Khursapar - Khursapar is a prominent safari zone in Pench National Park, situated on the Maharashtra side of the reserve. The entry point is located in Khursapar village, making it a key destination after Sillari within this region of the park. The zone is renowned for its natural water bodies, which draw a wide variety of birds and wildlife. Favored by day visitors, Khursapar offers excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings in their natural environment. The terrain is characterized by rolling landscapes, with a relatively dense forest cover compared to other areas, enhancing the chances of remarkable wildlife encounters.

Sillari - Sillari Zone is a renowned and premium site within the Maharashtra side of Pench National Park. It is located approximately 75.4 km from Nagpur along the route to Jabalpur. This area is known for its lush forest, featuring dense bamboo and teak vegetation, as well as several water bodies and waterfalls. The TotlahDoh Dam on the Pench River is also visible from this zone. Sillari offers excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings, including species such as wild dogs and sloth bears, with a high likelihood of encountering predators in their natural habitats. The entry point to the zone is located in Sillari village.

Chorbahuli - Chorbahuli is a lesser-known safari zone of Pench National Park on the Maharashtra side, is the first entry gate encountered when traveling from Nagpur to Jabalpur. Located along NH-44, this zone is characterized by dense forests and scenic water bodies, which attract a variety of bird species and wildlife. Visitors can explore the area through jungle safaris and boat rides, offering diverse experiences of the Pench’s rich ecosystem. The best way to observe the flora and fauna is through a jeep safari, available in two shifts - early morning and evening.

Core Zones of Pench in Madhya Pradesh

Turia - This gate is the most popular among tourists visiting Pench National Park due to its proximity to National Highway 7 and its location on the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border. Most hotels and resorts are situated in the southern part of the reserve. The forest in this region features diverse vegetation, including scrublands, streams, and mixed woodlands. Notable landmarks include the Baginnalla waterhole, known for frequent leopard sightings, and the Junewani waterhole, accessible via a branching road. The area also boasts rocky terrain leading to Pench’s highest point, Kala Pahad. Pyorthadi, known for its striking rock formations, is framed by towering Ghost Trees and shimmering Salai Trees. The central region of the park is rich in lantana undergrowth, providing easy sightings of wildlife such as chital (spotted deer), jackals, and various bird species.

Karmajhiri - Located 16 km from the Turia Gate, the Karmajhiri Zone is considered a premium safari zone in Pench National Park. This zone shares part of its area with the Turia Zone and includes key water bodies such as Bodanala and Sitaghat, along the banks of the Pench River, as well as Jhandi Matta. Situated in the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, Karmajhiri offers online bookings for jungle safaris in Pench. Similar to Turia, this core zone is popular due to its high concentration of wildlife.

Jamtara - Jamtara is a well-known safari zone within Pench National Park, with its entry gate located in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. Situated approximately 26 km from the Turia Gate, the Jamtara zone is renowned for its scenic beauty and frequent sightings of sloth bears. Visitors can conveniently book safari tickets for this zone through online booking platforms.

Buffer Zones of Pench in Madhya Pradesh

Telia - Situated 7.4 km from the Turiya Gate and 11 kilometers from the Khawasa Buffer Gate, this zone is renowned for sightings of wolves, panthers, leopards, barking deer, chowsingha, and blue-bull antelope. On the Maharashtra side of Pench National Park, there are two core zones: Khursapar and Sillari. These zones remain open year-round, offering continuous opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to explore the diverse fauna of the region.

Khawasa - The Khawasa Gate is a lesser-known site in the buffer zone of Pench National Park, located about 11 km from the Telia Gate. Also known as the Wolf Sanctuary, this area offers visitors the unique experience of a night safari. The landscape primarily consists of open woodlands, providing a natural habitat for species such as wolves, foxes, porcupines, and owls.

Masurnala - Recently in operation, Masurnala Gate serves as an extension of the Rukhad buffer zone and is celebrated for its frequent leopard sightings, varied hilly terrain, and dense bamboo forests. This area offers visitors the chance to observe rare species like the barking deer and four-horned antelope, enhancing the diverse and captivating wildlife experience that makes Pench National Park so remarkable.

Rukhad - This hilly buffer zone is conveniently accessible for tourists staying near the Karmajhiri Gate. It features numerous bamboo, jamun, and arjun trees, as well as picturesque streams and a variety of butterflies. Additionally, Rukhad serves as a crucial tiger corridor connecting the Pench and Kanha forest reserves. Visitors have the option to cycle through the area or embark on a jeep safari, making it an ideal choice for those staying in proximity to the forest.