Pench National Park

About Pench National Park

The Pench National Park on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra has been known through the ages for its rich flora and fauna.A total of 758 Sq. kms of this Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest has its extent mingling with the tropical dry deciduous teak. The area is crisscrossed by a number of streams and ‘nallahs’ most of which are seasonal. Though the Pench River dries up in April end, a number of water pools locally known as ‘dohs’ are found which serve as water holes for the wild animals. The Pench Reservoir at the center of the park is the only major water source during the pinch period.

In Pench National Park, Cheetal, Sambar, nilgai are commonly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides and banks of river & reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search of food anywhere in the Park. Packs up to 15 of wild dog can be seen near Chhedia, Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve. Herds of gaur can be spotted near streams and bamboo patches commonly in summer months. Sloth beer occupy hilly, rocky out crops and favour mahul bel infested forest. Chnkara is present in very small numbers and is found in open areas around Turia, Telia and Dudhgaon villages.

Langoors are very common in Pench, whereas the Rhesus monkeys may be seen occasionally on the fringes. Pench boasts of, more than 210 species of birds that include several migratory ones also. Commonly seen are Peafowl, Red jungle fowl, Crow pheasant, Crimson breasted barbet, Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie robin and lesser whistling teal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pench\_National\_Park

Interesting things to do

Situated at a distance of just 18 km from Pench’s Turia gate, is the tiny, spotless Pachdhar Village. Outside practically every home, potters sit at their wheels shaping glorious art from lumps of clay. Watch them work their fascinating craft, and take a piece of it home.

There are also a cluster of villages around the park where you can get a glimpse of the local culture and customs of the Gond tribe

Interesting things to Visit

Sitaghat:
This spot is arguably the prettiest location in all of Pench National Park.As the winding track comes to a dead end, it brings you to the bank of the river Pench dotted with rocks and artistic looking trees. In the summer months, bushes with white flowers run all along the bank. To see these flowers in full bloom, it is a must to visit the spot in the morning hours, as they close by early evening.The evening has a charm of its own here with the light of the low sun painting an amazing scenery with contrasting shadows and highlights. It is a good spot for bird lovers. Make sure you have your binoculars with you.

Alikatta:
The Alikatta area appears to be the hub around which the park is planned. All tracks seem to wind their way in different directions only to all end at Alikatta. It is a fascinating expanse of grassland (when it isn’t submerged under water!), where it is possible to come across any of the animals found in the park. It is one of the few places left in the country where every evening one gets to see the amazing spectacle of grazing herds consisting of thousands of spotted deer. Where there are deer, there will be predators. So keep your eyes open here. It is also the location from where the elephant rides commence.

Bodhanala range:
This area is worth seeing for its variety of topography. It goes from slopy hills, to bamboo forest, to a large pond close to the edge of the park. The small reservoir is an excellent location to spot water birds. Your jeep driver will most probably stop here to check with the outpost for news of tiger sightings, giving you a good opportunity to stretch those legs and to do some duck and cormorant sighting.

Raiyakassa : This is the location of a watchtower built by the park authorities. The roof of this cement watchtower provides and excellent view of the river pench. The park authorities also offer visitors the choice of spending a night at this watchtower. The facilities are extremely basic but any night spent on that roof will be embedded in the visitor’s memory forever for sure. It is quite common to spot Bison coming down to the river here. On occasions, a tiger too has been spotted from this spot.

Doob Road : This track running close to the edge of the water bodies is an excellent area for spotting all varieties of animals. After the monsoon season however, most of it is submerged until the water levels once again recede. During the rest of the year, it is quite common to come across huge herds of deer and bison, while driving along this track. Leopards have also been seen in this area.

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

1.Jathar Hosptial,Seoni.
2.Indira Gandhi City Hospital, Seoni.

Location info

• Address:Seoni District of Southern Madhya Pradesh.Maharashtra.

• District: Seoni

• Nearest City: Nagpur

• Best time to visit: March to June

Climate & weather

October to January- Cold 16* to 3* C
February to March- Cool 16* C to 26* C
April to June- 26* to 42* C

History of Pench National Park

Pench National Park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills is named after Pench river which flows from north to south through the Pench National Park. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh. Pench was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983, though it had been declared a notified area in 1972. Today, the park is the 19th Tiger Reserve in the country and takes pride in its tigers and other wildlife. The total area under the Pench Tiger Reserve comes to about 758 km, out of which a core area of 299 sq km is the National Park and 464 km the buffer area.

How to reach Pench National Park

• Nearest Railway Station: Seoni Railway Station which is only 30 kms away from Pench National Park.

• Nearest Airport: Sonegaon Airport, Nagpur is 93 km from Pench National Park.

Road Transport: Nearest bus stand is at Seoni from where one can take buses or jeeps to the Pench National Park. Seoni is connected to almost all the places in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra by good road and rail networks**.
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Hotels & accommodation nearby

The Pench Jungle Camp provides canvas tents and A/c rooms.The Jungle Camp also offers facilities like billiards room, badminton courts, wildlife research centre and a multi cuisine restaurant. The other accommodation facility is Bagh Van Lodge located just five minutes away from the entrance of the Pench National Park. It has cottage-type accommodation and also has a main dining and lounge area.

Best time to visit Pench National Park

October to June: best wildlife sightings in dry months (March–June). Parks are closed during peak monsoon (July–September).

Timings & opening hours

Open from sunrise to sunset. Safari timings are typically 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 50–200 per person for Indian nationals, INR 500–1500 for foreign nationals. Safari vehicle charges extra (INR 1000–3000).

Duration needed

3–4 hours for a jeep safari. Full-day safaris are available at major parks like Tadoba and Pench.

Safety tips

Follow safari rules — stay inside the vehicle at all times. Do not feed or tease animals. Maintain silence. Wear earth-coloured clothing. Follow your guide’s instructions. Carry insect repellent and first-aid kit.

Things to carry

Binoculars, camera with zoom lens, water bottle, snacks, insect repellent, neutral-coloured clothing, hat, sunscreen, and ID proof.

Nearby visiting places

Other wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the region, nearby lakes, waterfalls, and historical sites.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Nagpur International Airport (NAG) or nearest city airport. Nearest railway station: Chandrapur or nearest station. Accessible by road from nearest city.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Pench National Park. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit? October to June is the safari season. Parks are typically closed during monsoon (July–September). The dry months (March–June) offer the best wildlife sightings.

How do I book a safari? Safari tickets can be booked online through the official forest department portal. Advance booking is recommended, especially for popular zones.

What animals can I expect to see? Depending on the park, you can see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, gaurs, sambars, chitals, and numerous bird species.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for best wildlife sightings
• Ideal duration: Full day recommended
• Safari timings: Early morning (6:00-9:30 AM) and evening (3:00-6:00 PM)
• Accommodation: Forest rest houses and eco-resorts available
• Entry: Entry fee and safari charges applicable; book in advance

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee and safari charges applicable. Online booking recommended during peak season.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Pench National Park
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: protected forest area of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Pench National Park, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.