Pench National Park, straddling the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in India, offers an enchanting safari experience celebrated for its rich biodiversity and vibrant wildlife. Named after the Pench River that flows through it, the park’s undulating terrain, lush teak forests, and open grasslands create a picturesque setting for wildlife enthusiasts. Begin your exploration with early morning and late afternoon jeep safaris, optimizing your chances of encountering the park’s diverse inhabitants.

Pench is famously known as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”, and it lives up to its legendary status with a significant population of Bengal Tigers. These majestic predators are often spotted near water sources or stealthily moving through the dense underbrush.

At A Glance
Nearest Airport
Nagpur International Airport (NAG)
Best Time to Visit
October to June
Forests
Dry Deciduous & Mixed Deciduous Forests
Activities
Wildlife, Art, Culture, Trekking, Trails, Night Safaris, Boat Safaris
Minimum Recommended Stay
03 or 04 Days

The park is also home to a variety of herbivoresChital, Sambar and the robust Indian Gaur,  the sight of these animals grazing in open meadows or by the water’s edge adds to the park’s vibrant ecosystem. The smaller but equally fascinating Barking Deer and Chausingha (Four-Horned Antelope) can also be spotted in the dense foliage. Pench’s diverse mammal population extends to packs of Dholes, known for their cooperative hunting strategies, and the elusive Sloth Bear, often found foraging for Termites and Honey. Additionally, Wild Boars, Indian Jackals, and a variety of smaller mammals such as Jungle Cats and Civets add to the park’s wildlife richness.

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Visit the nearby Pachdhar village to get a taste of local life and witness the tradition of pottery being conducted completely by hand.

Pachdhar provides an immersive experience, being home to the Kumhaar community of skilled potters who have practised their craft for many generations.

Trip Extensions: Tadoba, Pench, Kanha, Satpura

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Suggested Itineraries

Wildlife, Safari, Exploration Privately Guided

Jungle Book Trails: Pench Unveiled

6 nights, 7 days

Home to Bengal tigers, leopards, dholes, gaur, sambar and chital, which make for exhilarating safari sightings.

Over 210 bird species including Malabar pied hornbill, crested serpent eagle, Indian roller, migratory waterfowl and forest birds.

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration Privately Guided

Heart of Central India: Satpura Wilderness

6 nights, 7 days

Experience jeep safaris, walking safaris, and canoe/boat rides—each giving you a different face of the forest.

Look for tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur, sambar, dholes, and the Indian giant squirrel among forest and river habitats.

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Safari, Wildlife,Exploration Privately Guided

India’s Dry-Deciduous Royalty

7 nights, 8 days

Home to one of Maharashtra’s densest tiger populations, offering consistently high chances of sightings across core and buffer zones.

Alongside tigers, you may encounter leopards, dholes, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, and wild dogs amid diverse terrain

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration, Culture Privately Guided

Kanha

4 nights, 5 days

Morning and evening jeep safaris in Kanha

⁠Spot tigers and Barasingha Deer

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Safari, Culture, History, Art Privately Guided

Taj, Tigers & Temples

11 nights, 12 days

Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal

Go on thrilling safaris in Ranthambore

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Safari, History, Adventure Privately Guided

Central Indian Wildlife Expedition

14 nights, 15 days

Go on jeep safaris in Kanha

Spot tigers in Bandhavgarh

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Wildlife, Safari, Exploration Privately Guided

The Hidden Gem of Central India

7 nights, 8 days

Explore Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, a lesser-known yet biodiverse forest.

Chances to spot tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and sloth bears.

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Culture, History, Exploration Privately Guided

A South Indian Odyssey

11 nights, 12 days

Explore Brihadeeswarar and Meenakshi temples

Visit Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO-listed Shore Temple

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Wildlife, History, Exploration Privately Guided

Explore Ladakh

12 nights, 13 days

Drive up to Khardung La Pass

Visit ancient monasteries in Leh

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Safari, Culture, History, Art Privately Guided

Tigers & Golden Triangle

12 nights, 13 days

Witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise

Go on safaris in Ranthambore

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