Best Wildlife Safari Zones in Pench National Park

As fascinating as the Pench Jungle experience could be, a safari in Pench National Park is considered complete with a wildlife safari. This is the best way for a wildlife enthusiast to view birds and animals in their natural habitat. The park is home to several Wildlife Safari Zones, with seven zones placed between 2 and 80 km apart within the national park. The only advice to all tourists is to be prepared before planning their trip to the wildlife. Ensure they have basic and accurate knowledge about the Pench National Park zones so they can enjoy better.

The Core Zone of Pench

Touria Gate:

It is the first choice entry gate among tourists visiting Pench National. It is next to National Highway 7, which crosses the borders between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Most of the hotels and resorts provided stay in the southern corners of this reserve. This part of the forest is covered in nature, with several scrublands and streams passing through it. It also consists of a waterhole called Baginnalla. The sightings of leopards are very common here. Pyorthadi, the site for a dynamic view of rocks, is bound by giant ghost trees and sparkling Salai trees. Commonly known as spotted deer, chital, jackals, and pretty birds are quite easily sighted here.

Karmajheri Gate

This gate is comparatively less busy because there is less accommodation available here. However, forest rest houses are available at Karmajheri 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 are the names of streams in the Gond language. You can also spot some gaurs, sambars, and occasionally a barking deer. Since the road to Sita Ghat is parallel to the Pench River, it forms a residence for many birds. This river dries up with the onset of summertime, and tigers are seen resting inside a pool of water. Apart from that, this park area has wild dogs.

Jamtara Gate

The third gate for the park is Jamtara Gate. The area of this park is limited. From Chendia Ghat, you can reach the breakfast point across another zone. This zone part goes to Tikari, which visitors only sometimes visit. You can have Shindoori banana trees and Camel Climbers here.

Pench Mowgli Sanctuary

Tourism is not allowed in this area/zone. Pench's buffer zone consists of three zones: Rukhad buffer, Khawasa buffer, and Teliya buffer zone.

Buffer Zone of the Madhya Pradesh side of the forest:-

Rukhad Buffer Zone

The hilly buffer is easy to access if the tourists are staying near the Karmajheri gate. Here, you will witness a lot of bamboo, Jamun, and Arjun trees and beautiful streams full of butterflies. The Rukhad zone is also famous for its passage to the Pench and Kanha reserves for the Tiger. The visitors may prefer a Jeep safari or cycling in this buffer.

Khawasa Buffer Zone

This zone lies near Turia Gate. It is also known as Wolf Sanctuary, and one can have a night safari here. It's an open wooded forest with no specific habitation of wolves, foxes, porcupines, and owls.

Teliya Buffer

It is 4 km away from Turiya Gate and 11 km away from Khawasa Buffer Gate. It is considered to be one of the best wolf, panther, leopard, barking deer, chowsingha, and blue-bull antelope-sighting areas. Pench Forest, Maharashtra, consists of two core zones.

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

Khursapar Gate

It is the most famous day safari zone, and it is 12 km away from Khawasa and 30 km from Turia. This area is the most favorable area for spotting wild animals.

Sillari Gate

Silliari Gate is 30 km away from Turia Gate. This zone boasts of open grassy, dense wooded forests and thick bamboo vegetation with freshwater streams. Unfortunately, you will get limited 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 Karmajhiri Gate. Tourists who want to explore the jungle on foot take this trail. One can easily see the footprints of animals. Sometimes, you can hear warning calls from animals and spot them. During walking trails, you can have marvelous views of a wide variety of different bird species.

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 maximise your chances of seeing tigers, deer, langurs, and other animals.
More Safaris: Go on countless safaris to witness the surreal and unfiltered side of wildlife.
Night Safaris: Enter the buffer zones in darkness and see nighttime animals in their natural habitat.

Pench National Park is a gold mine of natural beauty, history, and wildlife. Owing to the different ecosystems and terrain, every safari gives you a different experience. Whether it is spotting tigers, marvelling at the breathtaking landscape, 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 celebrated wildlife reserves in the country, having very vast stretches of natural beauty and terrific biodiversity. With its diversified landscape and raw wildlife, it offers an experience that few nature lovers or photography lovers 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: Ensure to book online in advance—six adults and two children under the age of five.
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 120 days prior to your trip.
2. Documentation required: Visitors must submit their complete details along with their valid ID, and the same must be carried during the Jeep safari.
3. Information: Please provide correct information provided at the time of reservation to ensure the reservation is valid 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. Stick to timings: The Safari vehicles have to adhere to the entry and exit timing. The visitor has to cooperate fully 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.

TOURISM ZONE & CARRYING CAPACITY

Pench Tiger Reserve has several Tourist zones, Mentioned below:

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

Wildlife Safari Zones