Best Safari Spots in Pench National Park

The thrilling Pench Jungle experience without embarking on a wildlife safari in Pench National Park is incomplete. This is the only method available for wildlife lovers to spot birds and animals in their natural habitat. Spaced between two to eighty kilometers apart, there are seven safari zones in the national park. More so, tourists are supposed to ensure that they do their homework in terms of looking up the gate index for an amazing experience before going out on a ride.

Turia Gate, Karmajheri Gate, and Jamtara Gate: The Core Zone of Pench

Turia Gate:

It is the most favored entry gate among visitors to Pench. This is nearest to National Highway 7 and falls on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Most of the hotels and resorts are present in the southern parts of the reserve. This part of the forest has mixed vegetation with scrublands and streams amidst them. This place also has a waterhole named Baginnalla. The sightings of leopards are most frequent here. Pyorthadi, the area known for its dynamic views of rocks, is surrounded by gigantic ghost trees and sparkling Salai trees. Commonly known as spotted deer, chital, jackals, and other pretty birds are quite easily seen here.

Karmajheri Gate

This gate is comparatively less busy because the accommodation available here is less. But forest rest houses are available at this gate. Teak trees can be seen in plenty in this part of the forest because the forest was used as a timber-producing area before becoming a tiger reserve. Bodhanalla means bamboo plantations, and the word itself is in the tribal language of the region. Bodha and nalla refer to a stream in the Gond language. One can also sight gaurs, sambars, and sometimes even a barking deer. The road leading to Sita Ghat runs parallel to the Pench River, which forms the home for many birds. As during the summer season, this river dries up, tigers can be seen resting inside a pool of water. In addition, wild dogs are seen in this park area.

Jamtara Gate

Jamtara Gate is the third gate of the park. This park has a limited area. You can cross to another zone from Chendia Ghat and reach the breakfast point. This part of zone is directed to Tikari which is not generally visited by visitors. One can find Shindoori, banana trees, and Camel Climbers here.

Pench Mowgli Sanctuary

Tourism is not allowed in this zone. The buffer zone of Pench has three zones, namely, Rukhad buffer, Khawasa buffer, and Teliya buffer zone.

Buffer Zone of the Madhya Pradesh side of forest:-

Rukhad buffer zone

The hilly buffer zone is convenient if tourists are staying near the Karmajhiri gate. There are many bamboo, Jamun, and Arjun trees and beautiful streams with lots of butterflies. The Rukhad zone is also famous for the for Tiger passage to the Pench and Kanha reserves. Guests can do cycling around or opt for a Jeep safari in this buffer.

Khawasa buffer zone

This zone falls close to the Turia Gate. It is also known as Wolf Sanctuary, and one can experience a night safari in this area. It is essentially an open wooded forest with no distinct habitation for animals like wolves, foxes, porcupines, and owls.

Teliya Buffer

Situated 4 km away from the Turiya Gate and 11 km away from Khawasa Buffer Gate, it is considered one of the best wolf, panther, leopard, barking deer, chowsingha, and blue-bull antelope-sighting areas. Pench Forest, Maharashtra, has 2 core zones.

The Maharashtra side of the Pench Forest has 2 Core Zones. Khursapar Zone which is very close to the Turia Gate and the other core zone is Sillari Gate.

Khursapar Gate

It is the most famous zone for day safaris and is a distance of 12 km away from Khawasa and 30 km from Turia. This area is the most favorable area to spot wild predators.

Sillari Gate

This is at a distance of 30 km away from Turia Gate. This zone boasts of open grassy dense wooded forests and thick bamboo vegetation with freshwater streams. Unfortunately, there are very few basic options for lodging and boarding at this gate.

Runi-Jhooni Trail

It is an approximately 3 km walking trail, and entry can be provided from the Karmajheri Gate. Tourists who want to explore the jungle on foot take this trail. One can easily see the pugmarks of animals. Sometimes one can hear warning calls of animals and spot them. During a walk, one can have marvelous views of different species of birds.

Make the Most of Your Pench National Park Safari

Following are some points to keep in mind for making the most of your visit to Pench National Park:

Sightings Review: Check the recent sightings of wildlife before making a booking to maximize your chances of seeing tigers and other animals.
More Safaris: Go on numerous safaris for game viewing.
Night Safaris: Enter the buffer zones in darkness and see nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.

Pench National Park is a gold mine of natural beauty, history, and wildlife. Owing to the different ecosystems and undulating terrain, each safari is different. Whether it is spotting tigers, marveling at the breathtaking topography, or simply learning about its glorious past, a visit to Pench National Park promises a great experience.

About Jeep Safari

The Pench National Park is one of the most renowned wildlife reserves in the country, having very vast stretches of natural beauty and terrific biodiversity. With its diversified landscape and teeming wildlife, it offers an experience that few nature lovers or photography enthusiasts can ever compete with.

Key Information and Tips

Location: Somewhere between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
Tigers, jackals, sloth bears, langurs, plenty of deer species, and a plethora of birdlife.
Explore the ecosystem by going into broad grasslands and thick forests.
Jeep Safari: Please book online in advance—six adults and two children under the age of one.
It is advised to book in advance for better availability, especially during demand periods.
Each safari is normally graced with panoramic settings, species, and elemental adventure.

Dos and Don'ts While Opting for a Safari

1. Advance Booking: Book your tickets before 120 of your trip plan.
2. Documentation required: Visitors must submit their complete details along with the valid ID, and the same must be carried during the Jeep safari.
3. Information: Any incorrect information provided at the time of reservation renders the reservation invalid and an unbooked reservation.
4. Non-refundable Entry Permits: Entry permits issued will not be refundable nor transferable.
5. Prohibited Items: Tape recorders, transistors, or radios are not allowed inside the forest. Visitors have to keep complete silence during the safari.
6. Feeding Wildlife: Feeding any animal or bird during the Jeep safari is strictly not allowed.
7. No Smoking or Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol consumption are restricted throughout the Jeep safari.
8. Booking Management: The booking process is managed by the forest officials following the guidelines issued by the Forest Department under the Government of India.
9. Not to step out of the vehicle: Visitors shall not get out of the vehicle during Jeep safari and are expected to follow the rules in the Wildlife Protection Act.
10. Entry Restriction: Entry beyond the restricted area and entry beyond the safari hours is strictly prohibited.
11. Adherence to timing: The Safari vehicles have to adhere to the entry and exit timing. The visitor has to fully cooperate with their safari guide and driver.
12. No Pets: No pets are allowed on the safari.
13. Polybags: Carrying polythene bags is strictly banned throughout the forest area.
14. COVID-19 Protocols: All visitors have to follow the Standard Operating Procedures for COVID-19, issued by the Government of India. All visiting tourists must install the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.

TOURISM ZONE & CARRYING CAPACITY

Pench Tiger Reserve has three Tourist zone namely Turia, Karmajhiri and Jamtara.

Zone	Carrying Capacity (per day)	Total
Zone	Carrying Capacity (per day)	Morning	Evening
Turia	74	37	37
Karmajhiri	16	8	8
Jamtara	9	5	4
Telia	30	15	15
Rukhad	30	15	15
Total	159	80	79

Safari Zones