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
Nagpur International Airport (NAG)
October to June
Dry Deciduous & Mixed Deciduous Forests
Wildlife, Art, Culture, Trekking, Trails, Night Safaris, Boat Safaris
03 or 04 Days
The park is also home to a variety of herbivores – Chital, 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.
HAPPY HATHI TIP
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

Happy Hathi Recommends

Visit the Maharashtra side and numerous buffer zones of this park that offer great safari experiences. .

Explore permitted areas of the park on foot; spotting insects, butterflies and the smaller creatures of the forest. .

Take a boat ride on the Kohka Dam for a lovely bird viewing experience..

Suggested Itineraries

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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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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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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Kanha
4 nights, 5 days
Morning and evening jeep safaris in Kanha
Spot tigers and Barasingha Deer
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Taj, Tigers & Temples
11 nights, 12 days
Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal
Go on thrilling safaris in Ranthambore
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Central Indian Wildlife Expedition
14 nights, 15 days
Go on jeep safaris in Kanha
Spot tigers in Bandhavgarh
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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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A South Indian Odyssey
11 nights, 12 days
Explore Brihadeeswarar and Meenakshi temples
Visit Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO-listed Shore Temple
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Explore Ladakh
12 nights, 13 days
Drive up to Khardung La Pass
Visit ancient monasteries in Leh
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Tigers & Golden Triangle
12 nights, 13 days
Witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise
Go on safaris in Ranthambore
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