Pench National Park is located in Chhindwara and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh. Name of this park is derived from the Pench River which flows though this national park. In 1977 this was declared as sanctuary and attained the status of National park in 1983. In 1992, this place became as Tiger Reserve. Pench National park has attained Best Management Award in 2011. For the tourists, park is having two entrances. One is at Karmajhiri and other one is at Turiya. Other name of this park is Mowgli Land. Mowgli is a Character in the famous cartoon show The Jungle Book. All this cartoon was based on this national park.
What to see in Pench National Park: Plenty of birds can be seen in this park. Water birds in this park are Skimmers, Waterfowls, and Blue Kingfisher. These can be seen only in the winter season. Attractive exotic birds are Jungle Owlet, Changeable hawk Eagle, Mottled Wood Owl, White eyed Buzzard, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Painted Francolin, Collard Scops Owl, Serpent Eagle. Main cat species of the park is Tiger.
Commonly seen wildlife is Jackal, Wild boar, Nilgai, Sambhar, Chital. Other wild animals are barking deer, Chowsingha, Gaur, Striped Hyena, Fox, Jungle Cat, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, and Leopard. As per the 1988 survey, there are 8 tigers and 7 panthers in the park.
What to see around Pench National Park:
Bandhavgarh National Park: This was established in 1968 at Vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. Area covered by this park is 105sq.km. This place is famous for Royal Bengal Tigers. Earlier this place acted as hunting reserve for Maharaja of Rewa. White tigers are the major attraction of this park. This is the best place for the tiger lovers.
Kanha National Park: This is the best place for the animal lovers. Swamp deer is the major attraction of this park. This specie cannot be seen anywhere. Area covered by this park is 900sq.kms. It became tiger reserve in 1975. Another attraction of this place is flowering plants. More than 1000 varieties of flowering plants can be seen here. Major attractions of animals in this park are Jackals, Foxes, Wild Cats, Wild Dogs, Leopards and Tigers.
Getting to Pench National Park: Only way reach this place is though road. From various cities of Nagpur buses and jeep come to this park. Nearest railway station of this park is at Nagpur. Nagpur is well connected with Jabalpur, Indore, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Nearest airport is also located at Nagpur. Flights from Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai come to Nagpur.
Getting around Pench National Park: Best way to see this park is by open jeeps or by elephant rides. During the summer season safari timings are from 6.30 to 9.30 in the morning and 4.00 to 6.30 in the evening. But during the winter season timing is 7.30 to 10.30 in the morning and 3.00 to 5.30 in the evening. Buses are available to visit the surrounding places of the National park.
Best time to visit Pench National park: Best time to visit the park is between February to April. During the summer seasons visitors can see more animals at waterholes. From 1st July to 14th October Park remains closed.
Where to stay in Pench National Park: Within the park good accommodation facilities are available with AC room. Few minutes away from this park hotels and cottages are available but they are so costly.
Where to eat in Pench National Park: Very limited options are available in the park. All the restaurant provides best quality food.