National park · India
Pench National Park
Enter Pench National Park for a safari: buy a day entry ticket (≈₹400) at the gate, then join a guided jeep (≈₹1500) for a 2‑hour drive; best months Oct‑Mar, avoid monsoon Jun‑Sep.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
758 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (758 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 758 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (758 km²)
- Park area is reported as 758 km²; some sources split it between Madhya Pradesh (≈90 %) and Maharashtra (≈10 %).
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Pench National Park protects mixed‑forest habitat across central India, famous for its tiger population and as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
758 km² (293 sq mi)293 sq mi (758 km²) · national park since 1975
Park area is reported as 758 km²; some sources split it between Madhya Pradesh (≈90 %) and Maharashtra (≈10 %).
Why go
- Spot tigers, leopards and gaurs in a mixed‑forest landscape.
- Explore the jungle that inspired Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good wildlife sightings
- FebCool, dry; good wildlife sightings
- MarCool, dry; good wildlife sightings
- AprWarm, low rain
- MayWarm, occasional showers
- JunStart of monsoon; trails slippery
- JulMonsoon peak; limited safari
- AugMonsoon peak; limited safari
- SepRain eases, wildlife active
- OctDry, comfortable; best for safaris
- NovDry, comfortable; best for safaris
- DecCool, dry; good wildlife sightings
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TigerSep–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| LeopardSep–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gaur (Indian bison)Sep–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Deer, monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Touria Gate | Main entry, ticket office, information centre. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Safari Zone | Jeep tracks, wildlife viewing points. | Guided only. |
| Nature Walk Area | Short walking trails near headquarters. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official site; positions of camp and town are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day entry (gate) | INR 400–500 (≈ US$5–6) | person | Check official site for exact price |
| Jeep safari (2‑hour) | INR 1,500–2,000 (≈ US$18–25) | person | Guide required; price varies by vehicle type |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Jeep safari permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹400–500≈ US$5–6
- ₹1,500–2,000≈ US$18–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Pench National Park official website before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all jeep safaris and off‑track walks.
- Plastic
- Carry‑in, carry‑out all waste; no single‑use plastic allowed.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay at authorized camps.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pench Jungle Camp
Safari tents and cottages close to Touria Gate.
Near the park
Seoni town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, 30 km (19 mi) from park.Budget hotels and guesthouses, 19 mi (30 km) from park.
Safety
Heat medium
Wildlife high
Monsoon floods medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Road to Touria Gate is paved; parking available.
- Safari vehicles are not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Support camps that use solar power and waste recycling.
- Avoid buying wildlife souvenirs; they may be illegal.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pench National Park?
A day entry ticket costs about ₹400–₹500 per person; a guided jeep safari adds roughly ₹1500–₹2000 per person.
What are the best hikes in Pench National Park?
Short nature walks near the headquarters and a 3‑hour birdwatching trail are the main walking options; longer treks require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Pench National Park?
October to March offers dry, cool weather and good wildlife sightings; avoid the monsoon months June to August.
Do I need a guide for a jeep safari?
Yes, a licensed guide is mandatory for all jeep safaris inside the park.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
No overnight stays are allowed inside; nearby Pench Jungle Camp offers tents and cottages just outside the gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pench National Park
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