1. Best time to travel for Tiger Sighting - Summer Months between March to June
2. Park remains closed between July to Mid-October
3. Madhya Pradesh Gates - Turia, Karmajheri and Jamtara gates (Core zones); Teliya, Rukhad, Masurnala, Khumbhpani and Khawasa (buffer zones)
4. Maharshtra Gates - Sillari and Khusapar (Core zones); Kolitmaara, Chorbahuli, Khubada, Paoni and Surewani (buffer zones)
5. Safaris can be booked either directly through the government website or through the resorts in the area.
6. Safari charges, if booked directly, do not include the vehicle and guide charges.
Pench National Park is spread between both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra states. Therefore, while selecting your safari gates, it would be a good exercise to research and book safaris from both states. Turia Gate, Karmajheri and Jamtara gates in Madhya Pradesh and Kursapar and Sillari gates in Maharashtra take you into the core zones of the tiger reserve. We had our first leopard sighting in the Turai zone. Leopards are considered a rare sighting even among the regular wildlife safari goers. This sighting was truly interesting because we were able to view the leopard for over 20 minutes while he lazily sunbathed on a rock.
Our tiger sighting was just as interesting as the leopards. Contrary to the common belief that the one sights tigers only in core areas and not in buffer areas, we sighted not one but two tigers in the Khawasa Buffer zone and runs parallel to the road leading to Turia gate. Tigers are regal creatures and creatures of habit. Most tigers form habits and an observant eye can easily predict their movement, with some training of course.
Our next safari began very early, really early at 4.45 AM. We were scheduled to go the Sillari gate in Maharashtra. Although it is the same forest, an observant eye can see finer differences in every zone of the forest.
Rukhad gate is a buffer zone in Madhya Pradesh and located almost 45 kms away from the Turia gate. Rukhad is also a crucial Tiger corridor for Pench and Kanha National Parks. We were told this forest looks the best post monsoon. But we though it looked gorgeous even during the onset of summer.
We stayed at the Sterling Padam Pench Resort. It was a last-minute choice but by no means a bad choice. The resort is brand new and the team that manages the resort is probably the reason why you should choose the place. We highly recommend the Pool Villa which comes with a private plunge pool and private machaan overlooking a lake.
Pictures and videos shot using -
Google Pixel 4a, iPhone 11, Nikon Coolpix P950 (bridge camera with 83x optical zoom
Things we carried:
Reusable water bottles
Comfortable and warm footwear suitable for jungle
Winter wear (if travelling during winter months) as the temperatures in the morning and evening tends to be low during winters
Sun hats / caps
Bandana or mask to cover your nose and mouth as protection against dust. It is very dusty all through the year.
Sunblock lotion
Binoculars
Always, LEAVE THE PLACE CLEANER THAN YOU FOUND IT.
Google Locations:
Sterling Padam Pench Resort - goo.gl/maps/Q7fR9TZPmt57so6i8
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