Pench Tiger Reserve

Pench Tiger Reserve is situated in the core of Madhya Pradesh India. Extended in the area of 758 sq km. It lies between the district of Seoni and Chhindwara and shares a boundary of Maharashtra. The National Park in Madhya Pradesh is divided into two sectors i.e Priyadarshani National Park and Mowgli Pench Sanctuary which is the area of 299 sq km and 464 sq km respectively. Pench National park has been named on Pench river which flows from North to South and divides the park into almost halves namely eastern and western halves. Pench is also called as “Mowgli’s land” as the depiction of well-known Jungle book is on Pench National Park by the great Rudyard Kipling.

History of Pench Tiger Reserve

Pench National Park has a remarkable history as it was declared a sanctuary in 1977 later announce a national park in 1983. In 1992 it was recognised as Pench Tiger Reserve. The portrait of its natural and nobility arises in Ain-i-Akbari i.e Constitution of Akbar. This was a document written by Abu’l-Fazal ibn Mubarak who was the Emperor of Akbar’s vizier in 16^th Century. Besides, the special documentary of BBC ‘Spy in the Jungle’ was pictured in Pench National Park, which was framed about the upbringing of the four Tigers in Pench, MP. Never the less its a home for a variety of wild animals and of course can say a kingdom for Royal Bengal Tigers or Sher Khans. To cheer with them the other mammals found in Pench are like Indian Leopard, Four- horned Antelope, Chital, Wolf, Gaur, Jungle Cat, Sloth Bear etc. There are over 385 species of birds residing in Pench along with migratory birds.

Pench national park tour packages offers very rich fauna and its an abode to a large number of endangered species. As its said there should be no boundaries to human endeavor, and so is this in Pench.

Flora

To walk in Pench National Park is to witness a thousand miracles as it consist of very rich and verdant forests, expanded throughout the area of the National Park. The Flora in Pench resides numerous variety of climbers, shrubs and trees with few rare variety of herbs with medical properties in addition to it like Teak (Tectona Grandis), Saja (Terminalia Tomentosa), Aonla (Emblica Officinalis), Bija (Pterocarpus Marsupium), Dhaora (Anogeissus Latifolia), Lendia (Lagerstroemia Parviflora), Haldu (Adina Cardifolia), Amaltas (Cassia Fistula). Besides, Bamboos are situated in various valleys which are near to water bodies. All these can be enjoyed during Safari in Pench Tiger Reserve. The wilderness of the flora in this park is unified with old Teak and Bamboo plantations.

Funna

If one have ever been seen magic, it has been during the tour of Pench Tiger Reserve. WHY?, because of its rich fauna and its large number of vulnerable species. In one of these is the most dominant predator ‘Tiger’ is sighted in these prey-rich woodlands. Nothing but breathing the air of Pench , and actually walking through it, can communicate the incredible sensations. Where the animals like a hyena, wolf, dhol (Indian Wild Dog), jackal, leopard, and jungle cat. Pench is the Bird watchers paradise and is land of residential and migratory birds. All these can be seen during Pench safari trip.

Some prey species spotted in the park are chital, sambhar, gaur, muntjac, wild boar, langur, and rhesus macaques. While Safari of Pench a herd of deers are amongst the commonly seen species over here. There are more than 385 species of birds including various migratory ones like jungle fowl, crow pheasant, red-vented bulbul, peafowl, crimson-breasted barbet, lesser whistling teal, magpie robin, racket-tailed drango, shoveler, egret, pintail, herons to name a few.

As per the last census, Pench Tiger reserve has a good population of the majestic beast “The Tiger”. The other mammals in Pench are 39 mammals ,13 reptiles, and 3 amphibians. Besides mammals and other land-based flora & fauna, the park is also rich in bird life. Not only this 385 species of birds were observed in this park like barbets, munias, bulbul, minivets orioles, waterfowls, mynas, wagtails and blue kingfishers. You just wish the park was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored. Activities on Pench National Park. Pench is also preferred by wildlifers for the sight of vultures. There are two species of vultures in Pench Tiger Reserve. Tourists visit Pench to see the different species of Vultures in Pench.

Jungle Safari In Pench Tiger Reserve

‘Safari in Pench’ if described then the only person to envy is the person who has not yet been to Pench Safari because he/she has so much to look forward to… Pench Safari booking is done online to avoid the hustle and bustle on the last moment one has to book safari though the original Id Proofs. Once the booking is done no changes can take place after that. A person is advised always to go for prior booking as getting the Safari booking in Pench is harder if its done on the last moment being one of the best National Park in India. There are seven zones covering Pench, Madhya Pradesh and Pench Maharastra named- Turia, Karmajhiri, Jamtara, Rukhad, Wolf Sanctuary, Sillari, Khursapar.

Night Safari in Pench is officially allowed by the forest department, wolf sanctuary is dedicated part of national park for night safari in Pench Tiger Reserve. There is no provision for advance online safari bookings in Pench for night safari. It has to be booked a day before the safari date.

Safari gates in Pench National Park: The Pench National park is distributed in two region i.e Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh which are as follows:

Touria gate in Pench: Touria gate in pench is located nearly in the distance of 2 to 14kms from the wildlife resorts in pench. This gate buzz with activities and sounds. One will love the wilderness her in Pench. This is the part of Madhya Pradesh and is the core zone. This is the territory of The wolrd famous Tigress collarwali, now known as Mataram. Tigress Collar wali has been awarded by Guiness book of world record for having maximum no of cubs.

Karmajhiri gate in Pench: Karmajhari gate in Pench is on other side of Seoni Range which is 55 kms from wildlife resort and hotel of Pench, MP. This is also the part of Core zone. Touria and Karmajhiri forest shares the same part of forest during Pench jungle safari tour.

Jamtara gate in Pench: Jhamtara gate in Pench distances 55 kms from resorts in pench. This is in Chindwara district and quiet far from the resorts and hotels in Pench Tiger Reserve. Jamtara part of forest shares the same area of Touria and Karmajhiri during Pench safari trip.

Rukkhad gate in Pench: Rukkhad gate in Pench is at the distance of 36 kms from various Accommodation in Pench. This is very dense forest and has a high population of Indian Bison. Tourists enjoy this dense land of Pench.

Wolf sanctuary gate in Pench: Thinking about Night safari excites the individual, and everyone plans to experience the thrill of night safari and the tranquillity of forest at night. This is at the distance of 12 kms from resorts in Pench. It is the buffer zone of pench. This is a rocky forest and is famous for Wolves, Blue bull and leopards. This gate attracts the tourist with great sighting of rare nocturnal creatures. The safari also covers a water hole in the buffer zone where tourist get the chance to spot the animals as well as get an excellent location for stargazing.

Sillari gate in Pench: Sillari gate in Pench is located in Maharashtra, Pench at the distance of 30 kms, from resorts and hotels in Pench,MP. though there are few budget properties available towards sillari zone for accommodation in Pench. Animals like Chittal, Sambar, barking deer, Jackal, Wild dog, Spotted scope Owl, Bisons and many varieties of birds are spotted here.

Chorbauli gate in Pench: Chorbauli gate in pench is at the distance of 50 kms from the resorts in pench. It is very rich in flora and fauna and the forest is a real treat sense. A tigress with three sub-adult cubs has made Chorbahuli her home. This is at an equal distance from Nagpur or Pench.

Khursapar gate in Pench: Khursapar gate in pench ranges from 7 to 12 kms from the wildlife lodges of Pench, situated in Maharashtra. This is easily accessible from sillari gate.

Safari Timing of Pench National Park

Morning: 5:30 am to 10:30 am

Evening: 2:30 to 6:30 pm

Night: 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Types of Jungle Safari in Pench Tiger Reserve

Nature Walk and Bird Watching:

One of the most desired activities in Pench National Park is Nature Walk and Bird Watching, there are about 385 species of birds including the migratory birds. The melodious chirping of birds heals mind body and soul of an individual. Guided nature walk and birdwatching in Pench Tiger Reserve is a must do activity during your trip to Pench.

Visit To Potters Village in Pench Tiger Reserve:

There is a little hamlet of Pachdhar in Seoni district, is known for its community potters. Potters community creates amazing articles on their wheels these people are locally known as Kumhaars. This is a fun activity in Pench for kids where children can make their own pots from clay and take along as a memory with them. Some incredible item like matkis (earthen vessels), gullak (piggy banks), diyas (or lamps), Kulhar (chai glasses) & more all these you can watch right in front of your eyes. this is a typical organic process involving all natural ingredients.

Tribal Dance in Pench Tiger Reserve:

If you want to start loving your body, teach it to move in ways you never thought it could here in Pench tribal dance activity where the local people of Gond community, perform the traditional Gondi dance in a group of 15 to 20, wearing traditional dress and jewellery. They sing cultural songs while dancing.

How to reach Pench Tiger Reserve

The Nearest Airport to Pench National Park is Sonegaon airport in Nagpur which is 102 Kms from Pench. There are regular flights connecting Nagpur to all other major cities in India. The Nearest railway station to Pench is Nagpur Railway Station at a distance of 96 kms from the Pench National Park. Being centrally located Nagpur has regular train connectivity from all the major cities of the country. Pench is on the Nagpur- Jabalpur National highway 7 and is accessible by local transport options such as taxis. If you plan to take the bus from Nagpur, you will have to get down at Khawasa. Pench National park is 12 kms from Khawasa.

Distance between major cities and Pench Tiger Reserve

Distance from Nagpur to Pench National Park airport – 102 km
Distance from Nagpur to Pench National Park – 96 km
Distance from Jabalpur to Pench National Park – 262 km
Distance from Raipur to Pench National Park – 316 km

The nearest airport to Pench National Park is Nagpur and Raipur.

Best Season to Visit Pench Tiger Reserve

Summer Season in Pench: summers of Pench national park are extremely hot and exhausting. The temperature varies from 25C to 48C in the months of April to June. However if you wish to get the best tiger sightings during Pench Jungle safari then this is the right time to visit Pench. Wildlife photographers prefer to be in Pench during this season.

Monsoon season in Pench :Early July experiences heavy rainfall which continues for the next two months. Pench national park receives average rainfall of 1300 mm in the months of July and August. During this period partial zones of national park are closed and few zones are open. The Monsoon rejuvenates flora and fauna of the Pench forest. Tourists get to sight the wildlife even during monsoon season in Pench.

Winter season in Pench :Winters arrives in November and lasts till February. The climate is pleasantly cool and comfortable. The temperature varies from 6C to 31C in winter. This is apt season for wildlife sightings in Pench national park.

So ultimately, the Best time to visit Pench is winters that is in between from November to February where due to pleasant weather conditions the park receives a cool temperature that makes it easy for tourist to explore the region without getting exhausted from the sweltering heat. This is the best time for bird watching in Pench. Lot of migratory birds visits Pench and delights the tourists.