How to reach Pench National Park

By Air

• Nagpur is the closest airport, 100kms, max 2 hour drive, has daily flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad

By Train

• Nagpur is 120kms, 2-hour drive, has trains from New Delhi daily

Other Destinations

• Tadoba national park: 240kms, 4.5 hour drive.
• Kanha national park: 220kms, 4 hour drive

Park, Season, Excursion Timings

The name of Pench National Park has been changed to “Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park” in November 2002 Similarly the name of Pench Sanctuary has been changed to “Mowgli Pench Sanctuary”.

Pench national park is 758 Sq. kms of this Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest has its extent mingling with the tropical dry deciduous teak. The area is crisscrossed by a number of streams and 'nallahs' most of which are seasonal. Though the Pench River dries up in April end, a number of water pools locally known as 'dohs' are found which serve as water holes for the wild animals. The Pench Reservoir at the center of the park is the only major water source during the pinch period.

As a prey concentration is high along the Pench River, tiger usually inhabits and frequents this belt. Leopards though generally operate in the peripheral areas but are occasionally seen in the deep forest also. Jungle cats are commonly seen. Leopard cats, small Indian civets and palm civets are seen rarely.

The park is open daily from 1 November to 30 June, in spite of the fact that administration holds the alternative to close prior if the downpours start before the finish of June. The opening times are planned to accord generally with the occasional varieties in atmosphere, just as with the length of the day at various seasons. There is constantly a late morning break, with the goal that representatives may have lunch and rest and the creatures may have a reprieve, as well.

Opening hours are as follows:

1 November-IS February Sunrise to 11 AM. 3 P.M. to sunset

16 February-30 April Sunrise to 11 AM. 4 P.M. to sunset

1 May-30 June Sunrise to 10 AM. S P.M. to sunset

Opening hours are subject to change because of special conditions: for example, heavy rain showers may make park roads temporarily hazardous, or official activities such as census taking may be scheduled. In practice, “sunrise” and “sunset” are interpreted as “dawn” and “dusk,” with vehicles being admitted at 6:30 A.M., for example, if sunrise occurs at 6:50. The gate attendants tend to be stricter about exit times, since darkness follows sunset quite rapidly at this latitude.