Pench National Park


Pench National Park

About the Pench National Park

The Pench National Park is named after the river Pench which flows through the northern to the southern region of the park. The Pench National Park was stated as a sanctuary in the year 1977 and by 1983 it was licensed as a National Park. By 1992 the Pench was recognized as the Pench Tiger Reserve.

The Pench National Park covers an area of 758 sq km and the core area covers 299 sq km of which surrounds the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary. The remaining 464 sq km area of the Pench National Park is the buffer zone. The Altitude of this area is 580-675 Mt. above MSL and annual rainfall count is 1397 mm. Minimum temperature here reached down to 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum temperature reaches up to 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why to Visit Pench National Park

The Pench National Park has followed an iconic name of ‘The Jungle Book' as it brings wildlife to the closest contact with humans. Rudyard Kipling who let all the adventures of Mowgli alongside Sher Khan was screened on this place. The Pench National Park is famous for its amazing tigers and several other animals and birds.

The Pench National Park also holds a rich fauna and is a home for many endangered species. In the woodlands of the Pench National Park, there are almost 25 tigers present. There are also animals like dhol (Indian Wild Dog), hyena, wolves, leopard, jackal, jungle cat, sambar, muntjac, chital, gaur, wild boar and the rhesus macaques. Though the most common species are deer.

There are also 170 different species of migratory birds such as the peafowl, junglefowl, crow pheasant, red vented bulbul, magpie robin, crimson breasted barbet, racket tailed drongo, lesser whistling teal, pintail, egret, shoveler and the heron. Kingfishers, mynas, wagtails, barbets and minivet orioles. The forest is also covered with rich flora as part of the tropical mixed deciduous forests. The flora in Pench also includes different types of shrubs, trees, and climbers.

Some of the wide varieties of herbs such as teak, bija, saja, haldu, lendla, dhaora, aonla, salai,aonla and amaltas. Some of the wildflowers in the Pench National Park also includes little glory, hedge glory, greater glory, blue dawn glory, red star glory, tiger's paw glory, American soft head, marsh daisy, Indian catmint, common purple mallow, little tree plant, madras pea pumpkin, little gooseberry, common lantana, silky indigo, wayside tuberose and Deccan clematis.

The Pench National Park is also covered with a large number of bamboos nearby to the water banks. Apart from this, adventures such as Jeep Safaris, Elephant Rides, Bird Watching, Jungle Walk and 12 km walking safari are some of the major attractions of the Pench National Park.

Where is Pench National Park Located

The Pench National Park is located in Chhindwara and seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh.

How to Reach Pench National Park

The Pench National Park can be reached from Airways, Railways as well as Roadways.

  • By Airways Nagpur Airport is the nearest to reach the park which is 88 km. The Jabalpur Airport is 200 km away from the Pench National Park.

  • By Railways are linked nearest from the city of Nagpur which is 90 km from Pench.

  • By Roadways Nagpur is 88 km from Pench via NH no.7

  • Best time to visit Pench National Park

    The best time to visit Pench National Park is between February and April. The Pench National Park remains open for tourists from the 16th of every October to the 30th of June.

    Opening and closing hours of Park and Safari Timing

    The Safari Timings in winter are:

    • Morning 7.30 am to Morning 10.30 am and Evening Safari is from 3 pm to 5.30 pm.

      The Safari Timings in summers are:

    • Morning Safari is from 6.30 am to 9.30 am and Evening Safari is from 4 pm to 6.30 pm.

    Charges of Safari and Other Fee

    • Personal Vehicle Rs 1000 per trip for Indians citizens as well as Foreign Tourists.

    • Safari Vehicle entry Rs 150 per trip for Indian citizens as well as Foreign Tourists.

    • Expert Guide charges are Rs 75 per trip for Indian citizens as well as Foreign Tourists.

    • Camera charges are Rs 60 for Indian citizens as well as foreign tourists.

    • Video Camera charges are Rs 300 for both Indian citizens as well as foreign tourists.

    • Elephant Ride is charged for Rs 100 for Indian citizens and Rs 600 for foreign tourists.

    Essential Tips for the Visitors

    Carry your provisional first aid kit and essential food and drinks, but don’t litter any disposals and wastages around the National Park. Maintain discipline and silence inside the National Park as to maintain peaceful occurrence in front of tigers and bison. Co-operate with the instructions of the guide. Photography and videography are permitted inside the National Park.

    Nearby other Attraction of Pench National Park

    There are some attractive places nearby the Pench National Park. The tourist attractions include the Rookhad Wildlife Sanctuary which is located as in the adjacent area. The Rookhad Sanctuary is famous for Bisons. The best time to visit the Sanctuary is from the month of February to June. It is a must visit place if you have down to Pench National Park.

    The Panchmari Hill Station is another beautiful attraction is located in the Satpura range which is around the Hoshangabad District of Madhya Pradesh and is 200 km from the Pench National Park. The Panchmari Hill station is famous for some beautiful landscapes and waterfalls.

    Mandla is a historical town which is around 200 km from the Park is as some of the most amazing sightseeing areas nearby. Some of which includes the Garha Fort in Killa Ghat. The Narmada river surrounds this town from three different sides as is a perfect view for tourists.

    Jabalpur is one more good option for tourists as it is roughly 200 km from the Park. Jabalpur is famous for the Madan Mahal Fort which was built by the gond Ruler Raja Madan Shah. Rani Durgavati Memorial, Tilwara Ghat, Sangram Sagar and Bajnamath are some of the other major attractions of Jabalpur. Tourists can also visit the River Narmada for Boat cruise.