With a 50 per cent increase in the last four years, Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number (785) of tigers in the country, followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444), according to the data. Image © Karan Verma

Pench Tiger Reserve

Madhya Pradesh

The evidence is undeniable, the feeling palpable, as you drive down the dusty dirt tracks, that around every corner a drama will unfold, a glimpse caught, a movement spotted. The sun-dappled forest floor is alive with spotted deer. Vast herds also gather on the shorelines of the park’s reservoir, offering a smorgasbord of food for Pench’s hungry carnivores that include leopards, wild dogs and tigers (thought to be close to 65). The remarkably unshy tigress, Collarwali, who has nurtured 20 cubs in five litters and whose mother was featured in the BBC’s Spy in the Jungle series is a treat to spot. It was here that Rudyard Kipling chose to base his story of the wolf boy Mowgli. However, it wasn’t until 1992 that Pench was included under the umbrella of Project Tiger. Today, the Reserve covers districts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The park is predominantly a teak forest, but other hardwoods and flowering trees support a rich and diverse array of birdlife too. ... Local villagers, mostly Gonds, will tell you about their local god, Mansingh Deo. He was a legendary figure who was believed to have supernatural healing powers and would ride into the local bazaar on his tiger. There are two temples dedicated to him, the Chhota Mansingh and Bada Mansingh temples which are worth a visit. The park has three tourism zones: Touria, Karmajhiri and Jhamtara.

Seeking a tiger doggedly can cause you to miss the whine of the cicada, the sight of the common butterfly or the shrill call of a crested serpent eagle. It’s India’s densest population of prey species, nearly 25,000 of them, including spotted deer, wild pig and sambar deer. In April when the Pench River dries out, the animals use dohs or perennial springs as waterholes, or crowd the shoreline and tender grasses of a receding reservoir. It acts as an artificial wetland where you can see hordes of water birds sitting on what were the tree stumps of flooded woodlands

Tiger is the main cat species but commonly seen wildlife includes chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar and jackal. Other wild animals found are leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, porcupine, jungle cat, fox, striped hyena, herds of gaur, four- horned chowsingha and barking deer. There are more than 170 species of birds including several migratory ones. Some of them are crimson- breasted barbet, red-vented bulbul, racket-tailed drongo and magpie robin with lesser whistling teal, pintails, river terns and northern shovellers on or near water bodies.

You could visit the Kandadev, Bagdev and Kumbhababa temples that attract thousands of pilgrims every year. They give you an insight into the lives of the local people. Ramtek, about an hour away, also has temples that are over 600 years old. The old British cantonment, Kemtee and the Kalidasa memorial are other points you may want to visit at Ramtek.

Pench is a well managed park but threats include the National Highways carriageway cutting corridors to Kanha. An irrigation colony within the core area has been finally handed back to the forest authorities. This ruling by the Bombay High Court came twelve years after the first order in 2002 that said that no human settlements are permissible in the Tiger Reserve. Poaching, overgrazing and sprawling tourism present ongoing concerns. Your visit is crucial to support the local economy, but please also report abuse or poor practice at admin@toftindia.org. You can support: Corbett Foundation

Destination Information

How To Book

Safaris can be booked through your lodge or tour operator or online .

Park Timings

The Park is open for visitors for c.4.5 hours after sunrise and c.2.5 hours in the afternoon before sunset. Please check park opening times with the gate as they vary slightly between summer and winter months depending on sunrise and sunset. The Park remains open to visitors from 1st October to 15th June and is closed on Wednesdays for afternoon safaris.

Getting Around the Park

Game viewing is done in Gypsy jeeps along the reserve’s dirt roads which can be hired at the entrance or arranged by the lodge. Private vehicles are not allowed inside.

Entry Fees

Safari permit: R 250 single seat for Indian and Foreign Nationals | R 1,500 for full vehicle permit. Maximum 6 guests per vehicles. Gypsy safari: R 2,000 Guide hire: R 360

By Air:Sonegaon (70 km) By Rail / Road:Seoni (30 km) and Nagpur (70 km) are the nearest towns and railheads from where you may hire transportation

explore by region
click the map

Click Here for Good
Wildlife Travel Guide

Eco-friendly properties in the area

Welcomheritage Jungle Home Pench

An eco-sensitive resort which is a unique blend of untamed wildlife and urban lifestyle. Situated in the dense confines of Pench Tiger Reserve in Central India, the architecture of this 26 room, and 2 tent property, stands out from the verdant surroundings of this remote wilderness.

Baghvan, A Taj Safari

Located on the edge of the Pench Tiger Reserve, Baghvan is aptly named after India’s iconic Royal Bengal Tiger.

Pench Jungle Camp

The recently-renovated Pench Jungle Camp sits in an enviable position next to the Turia Gate of Pench National Park where parts of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book were brought to life. The camp is low-key and rustic - perfect for an authentic adventure in India’s verdant hinterlands.

Other Destinations To Combine

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

West India

The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is arguably one of India’s most exciting Tiger reserves,

Nagzira Tiger Reserve

West India

This small wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 152 sq km in the north east corner of Maharashtra

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

India

This small wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 245 sq km in the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh

Satpura Tiger Reserve

Madhya Pradesh

Satpura National Park is one of India’s finest Tiger reserves, and was the winner in 2010

Pench Tiger Reserve

Madhya Pradesh

Since 1992 Pench has been included under the umbrella of Project Tiger as the 19th Project

Kanha Tiger Reserve

Madhya Pradesh

Kanha is considered by some as the India’s greatest park, an excellent habitat for many mammals

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Madhya Pradesh

Bandhavgarh is set amongst the Vindya Hills of Madhya Pradesh and consists of a core area of

Travel Here with the Best Travel Companies & Agents

Plan you Indian holiday, Nepal adventure, or Bhutan visit using one of a large number of the world’s best known travel companies, or Indian based agents to put your very own itinerary together. Every travel company here has committed to drive their own sustainable travel practices, seek PUG certified accommodation providers wherever possible and support our conservation efforts.

Now you can enjoy a flawless and carefree travel itinerary to many of Indian subcontinent’s greatest wilderness destinations and combine this with its rich cultural and historic heritage.

Wild Nest Travel And Photography

India

With over fifteen years’ experience of exploring and photographing wildlife in India, we...

Sea Stone Travel

India

An accredited member of IATA, Sea Stone Travels organises specialised package tours, especially...

Razdan Holidays

Razdan Holidays has been operating in the Indian tourism sector since 1957. They started off...

Audley Travel

United Kingdom

Audley Travel offers clients tailor made travel experiences by employing specialists with in-depth...

DMC Tours t/a Destination Management Consultants

India

DMC is an energetic and experienced group of avid tourism professionals who have served in...

Tigerwalah

India

At Tigerwalah, we are unashamedly in love with the jungle. To share this passion with our guests,...

Vasco Travel

India

Vasco Birding and Wildlife holidays is managed by a dedicated team of nature lovers and our own...

Sundowner

Netherland

Sundowner is a fully bonded Dutch tour operator specialising in tailor made and small group...

Time for Travel

United Kingdom

Time for Travel is all about tailormade travel to the Indian subcontinent, Africa and selected...

Excel Tours

Excel Tours is a premier travel operator offering luxury, personalized, and boutique travel...

Steppes Travel

United Kingdom

At Steppes Travel, we listen to what you want and create a personalised wildlife itinerary...

Korners of India

India

Korners of India is all about sharing and discovering travel experiences from around the world....

Paradise Holidays India Pvt. Ltd.

India

Paradise Holidays offers a wide range of tours from classic to adventure trips, and visits...

Viv's India

Australia

Being different is our forte and wildlife our passion. We hope to share with you our fascination...

Daktari Travel

Daktari Travel is a Germany-based small travel company offering tailor-made tours to India...

Enriching Journeys

India

A young destination management company in the luxury and experiential travel domain, Enriching...

Jungle Calling

India

At Jungle Calling we wish to invite and embrace everyone who wants to appreciate and know more...

i4u Travel Services

India

Our endeavor at i4u Travel Services is to assist both international and tourists in planning...

World Travel Experiences

World Travel Experiences (WTX) is a Delhi-based DMC specialising in trips to India, Nepal and...

Inside Indian Jungle - unit of Hidden Treasures of India

Inside Indian Jungles is a boutique wildlife tour operator based in India offering customized...

Taj Reisen

Netherland

Taj Reisen is your specialist for well-organised individual and private tours to India. For...

Nature Wanderers

India

Nature Wanderers is India’s pioneering photography tours and travel company that works with...

Rustic Trails India Pvt Ltd

Rass Destinations India, is a media and service organisation working as a support partner to...

Abercrombie & Kent India

India

At Abercrombie & Kent, we have dedicated ourselves to making the exploration of India a stress...

Holiday Wildlife

India

Holiday Wildlife offers services for accommodation, sightseeing, guides, transfers, and wildlife...

The Earth Safari

India

Founded by Saran Vaid, who is a renowned natural history photographer, explorer and a wildlife...

Greaves India

United Kingdom

Greaves Travel is an award-winning specialist of bespoke private tours to the Indian subcontinent...

Nature Safari India

India

Nature Safari India is a leading online-based wildlife safari company. Founded in 2000, we...

Travel The Unknown

United Kingdom

As the country in which Travel the Unknown began its tours, India holds a special place in...

Wild Women Expeditions

Canada

Wild Women Expeditions (WWE) is a global eco-tour agency specialising in women’s outdoor...

All for Nature Travel

Netherland

All for Nature Travel offers beautiful wildlife experiences around the world and is also specialised...

India Connections

United Kingdom

India Connections offers tailor made holidays to North India. We arrange holidays to South...

SUNRICH SAFARIS

At Sunrich Safaris, we offer in depth wildlife experience for varied travel requirements. We...

Distinct Destinations Private Limited

...

Imagine Travel

United Kingdom

Imagine Travel is an award winning tour operator specialising in tailor made holidays to Africa,...

The Explorations Company

United Kingdom

A founding member of TOFTigers, The Explorations Company is dedicated to sustainable and responsible...

Stripes Holidays

India

We at Stripes Holidays are wildlife and nature lovers who have come together to promote responsible...

Nivalink

Nivalink is a 20+ year old organisation (Since 2001) having a vertical for Wildlife travel...

Mysteries of India

United Kingdom

Mysteries of India is a leading specialist operator of tailor made holidays to India and the...

Rare Holidays

India

We have been offering professional and personalised travel services to wildlife lovers and...

INDUS EXCURSION

Indus Excursion is a Jabalpur-based DMC offering low-impact tailor-made tours across India’s...

Abercrombie and Kent

United Kingdom

Abercrombie & Kent was founded 60 years ago on the belief that travel should surprise, stimulate...

Instep Adventures Ltd

Instep Adventures operates tailor-made holidays, small-group tours (including solo-only tours)...

Wildlife Explorer India Pvt. Ltd.

India

Wildlife Explorer India is a dedicated wildlife and bird tour company with over fifteen years...

Founded in 1982, Incent Tours is an independent and original travel company that organises...

Travel Inn

India

Travel Inn (I) Pvt. Ltd. is a leading ground agent and six times winner of the National Tourism...

EXPLORE MP LLP

We are rising phoenix in bringing enthusiasm to individual’s lives by giving them the pleasure...

Royal Expeditions

India

Royal Expeditions is a first class culture and nature travel specialist, founded in 1993 by...

Asia Odyssey is the culmination of decades of travel experience knowledge around the Asian...

United Kingdom

...

Pench Tiger Reserve

Destination Information

How To Book

Safaris can be booked through your lodge or tour operator or online .

Park Timings

Getting Around the Park

Game viewing is done in Gypsy jeeps along the reserve’s dirt roads which can be hired at the entrance or arranged by the lodge. Private vehicles are not allowed inside.

Entry Fees

Safari permit: R 250 single seat for Indian and Foreign Nationals | R 1,500 for full vehicle permit. Maximum 6 guests per vehicles. Gypsy safari: R 2,000 Guide hire: R 360

By Air:Sonegaon (70 km) By Rail / Road:Seoni (30 km) and Nagpur (70 km) are the nearest towns and railheads from where you may hire transportation

explore by region click the map

Click Here for Good Wildlife Travel Guide

Eco-friendly properties in the area

Other Destinations To Combine

West India

West India

India

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh

Travel Here with the Best Travel Companies & Agents

Partner

Affiliates

explore by region
click the map

Click Here for Good
Wildlife Travel Guide