Pench Jungle Camp: Your Gateway to the Wild

Jeep safaris are a perfect way to witness the magnificence of Pench Tiger Reserve, the same forests that inspired the tales of Mowgli.
The game drives can be done either in the mornings at sunrise (morning safari) or in the afternoons until the sunset (evening safari). The timings of the park are decided by the park authorities and change with season.

The vehicle used for game drives is a 4x4 jeep with an open top, fitted with elevated seats to give you a panoramic view of the wildlife.

Experience a picnic style breakfast in the jungles during your morning drive while the evening drives are followed by the high tea once you are back at the lodge.

We have an in house team of experienced naturalists, well versed with Hindi and English, who can be reserved to escort you on your safari. Both the jeep safaris and our in-house naturalists have to be booked in advance.

If you have any special areas of interest regarding the flora and fauna, do let us know at the time of the booking so that our naturalists and park guides will try their best to include it during your game drives.

For further details about the game drives at Pench National Park,

Timings of Jungle Safaris

• Winters (October to February): Morning Safari: 06:30 am to 11:00 am | Evening Safari: 02:30 pm to 06:00 pm
• Summers (March to June): Morning Safari: 05:50 am to 10:30 am | Evening Safari: 04:00 pm to 07:00 pm

*The timings are subject to change basis the park authorities, do reach out to our team to know the exact timings.

What to Carry:

In order to have a comfortable and memorable safari experience, here are some of the things you may wish to carry:

• Your original id from which you have booked the safari. It it’s absence, you shall not be allowed to enter the park itself.
• Binoculars for watching animals at a distance or the birding.
• Cameras for capturing those special safari moments.
• Hat & sunscreen for protection from the sun.
• A scarf or hat to cover your hair and masks to cover your face to avoid the dust.
• Warm jackets along with coverings for your ears during the winters to beat the cold.
• Avoid using strong fragrances or wearing bright colours during the safaris. Dull and neutral coloured clothing is suggested.

Park Gates:

The Pench National Park falls in between two states – Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Safaris for the core zone are conducted through two gates :

1. Touria /Turia (Madhya Pradesh): situated at a distance of 2 kms from the lodge (appx. 5 minute drive from the jungle camp)
2. Khursapar (Maharashtra): situated at a distance of 10 kms from the lodge (appx. 20 minute drive from the jungle camp)

Bookings:

• Online safari bookings for Pench National Park open 120 days in advance. Due to limited number of safari tickets and to avoid any disappointment at a later date, we strongly urge you to book your safari in advance.
• The bookings can be done directly through the government website or you can book it through the lodge.
• We require the following information from you at the time of booking your safari. This is as per the governmental regulations : Name, Age, Date of birth (MM-DD-YY), Father/ Husband’s Name, Gender, Nationality, Passport Number for international tourists and any other government recognised id for Indian nationals (aadhar card, driving license, voter id, passport) Do ensure that the id you have submitted during the safari booking, you carry the original with you during each game drive.
• All safari bookings are subjected to availability and the government rules. Pench Jungle Camp will does not take responsibility for ensuring safari confirmation, unless otherwise stated.
• Tatkaal Bookings: There is an option of booking the safaris on Tatkaal which is just prior to a day before. These are done through online bookings that open just an evening before the safari date.

However we strongly advise against relying on it as these tickets are basically the cancelled safari by other guests across the park, therefore are unreliable and limited in number, making it quite difficult to get a ticket.
The reservation team at the lodge does offer assistance in booking tickets through tatkaal services but they are highly subject to availability.

Full Day Safaris for Wildlife Photographers:

These safaris allow one to spend an entire day inside the park from sunrise to sunset. This allows one to go across in any zone giving you a chance for better sightings.

• Only 4x4 registered safari vehicles are allowed inside the park gates.
• Not more than 6 people are allowed in each vehicle (including children above 5 years of age)

Some other things to note:

• Smoking or alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited inside the park.
• No edibles are allowed during your safari. There are designated spots approved by the park authorities where we stop for a delicious picnic style breakfast during the morning drives.
• Please do not get out of the jeep at any point of time.

Cancellation Policy:

• We regret to inform that we charge 100% cancellation fees on cancelled safaris because safaris once booked cannot be modified and that ticket goes for a waste.
• Refunds for jungle safaris offered as gift vouchers are allowed only due to sudden extreme changes in the weather and are at the discretion of the lodge management.

*While we have tried to share all the important details with you in this list, at no point do we claim for it to be exhaustive. Please refer to the government website for further details.

The setting sun makes way for the calmness of the night, making forests appear very different. The night safari offers you opportunity to see some species that usually elude us or may get missed during the day like wolves and jackals. One also gets a chance to see the nocturnal animals, their hunting patterns when they are most active.

Other animals that are usually spotted are sambhar deer, spotted deer, nilgai and numerous nocturnal birds.
It is conducted in the buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve and no prior bookings are needed as they are done on the spot itself. Buffer zone is the forest area that surrounds the periphery of the core area of the national park.

Due to the absence of any lights, this is also a perfect location for star gazing.
The duration of the night safari is 3 hours: 6pm – 9pm.

Sleep under the star spangled sky, surrounded by the natural forests. Inspired by the ‘machaans’ of yesteryears, which were elevated structures used for viewing wildlife, we have built a ‘machaan’ - platform on stilts, inside our very own ecological park.
Spread over an area of 38 acres of natural forest undisturbed from any human interference, the park acts as a wildlife corridor. One can often spot Nilgai, Wild boars, Jungle Cats, Wild Dogs, Spotted Deer, Jackals and an occasional leopard or tiger too.

The machaan inside this eco park houses a double bed/ two single beds under the open night sky. After an early dinner, you will be escorted by our in-house guide to the machaan who will wait for you to settle in. As the night descends on the forests engulfing them in darkness, you rely a lot on your hearing. The sounds of nocturnal birds can be heard at a distance interspersed with the alarm calls announcing the movement of a predator like tiger or leopard.

You can stay here for the duration of the night and wake up to the sound of birds chirping at the crack of dawn as the night sky slowly gives way to the morning sun. Alternatively, if you prefer to spend a couple of hours on the machaan to experience the thrill of the jungle at night but prefer to return back to the cocoon of your room to snuggle in, all you need to do is call the guide who is within the hearing distance. He will escort you back to your room.

The experience is in line with our philosophy of providing authentic wildlife experiences that help our guests reconnect with nature. What better way to add to your vacation than sleeping under the starlit sky surrounded by the jungles.

Pench Jungle Camp’s ecological park is adjoining the core area of Pench Tiger Reserve. Due to the untamed wilderness and no human interference, we get many visitors during the day and night. To study these elusive animals, the lodge has had two trap cameras strategically placed in the eco park.

These cameras tell us the stories of what happens at the eco park while we are sleeping peacefully at the camp. While at the lodge, you can ask our team to show you the most recent photographs.

Some of our key visitors that have been recorded in the past include deer, porcupine, wild boar leopards and an occasional tiger too.

Bicycles as an alternate transport are a fun way to experience the forests and area around the lodge in a more intimate manner. The lodge has 4 bicycles which can be reserved for you on request. The excursions are accompanied by the lodge naturalist.

You can explore the weekly haats, the potter’s village or the charming countryside surrounding the lodge.

In line with our philosophy of creating low impact on the area, we also offer cycling safaris.

The short cycling tours are designed to cater to the guests depending upon their interests and fitness levels. To design and execute this experience we have partnered with a group of professional cyclists who run longer, multi-day cycling safari excursions in and around Pench as well as Kanha National Park.

Professional grade bikes, helmets, along with knee guards too are provided for safety. The group is led by experienced cyclists.
Sharing some of the indicative itineraries below. We are happy to customise this experience for you as per your interests. Do get in touch with us for details on the same.

Rukhad, earlier known as Bison sanctuary serves as a buffer zone of Pench National Park. What sets Rukhad apart from other zones is that it also connects Pench National Park with Kanha National Park, thus serving as a corridor for wildlife between the two forest reserves.

Unlike other areas of Pench National Park, Rukhad is open throughout the year and does not get closed during the monsoon season of July to September.

The primarily teak and bamboo trees provide a perfect backdrop to experience the teeming wildlife in these forests.

1. Cycling Tour

This excursion is for passionate wildlife and adventure seekers who want to move beyond the traditional jeep safaris to explore the jungles of Central India.

The guided cycling tour starts from Pench Jungle Camp after an early breakfast in the morning and finishes at Sakata forest lodge. Covering a distance of appx. 45 kms, you cross through village hamlets and enter the forests. The tour ends in the afternoon at Sakata Forest Lodge, a colonial era rest house built inside the forest. Enjoy the delicious hot lunch after which you can opt for a jeep safari and then ride back to the lodge.

2. Drive to Rukhad

Enjoy the lush landscapes of Rukhad as you spend a morning or an evening drive. This tour is for the people who wish to enjoy the forests of Rukhad without the additional physical exertion. You leave Pench Tree Camp in the morning and explore the forests of Rukhad on a jeep safari.

3. Overnight stay in the Forest at ‘Machaan’

A truly immersive, one of a kind experience that lets you stay inside the forest for the night.

Inspired by the ‘machaans’ of the yesteryears, we have built a small cottage on top of the machaan inside the Rukhad sanctuary. This is done to provide safety and comfort.

Your experience starts with a drive from the lodge to the gates of Rukhad Sanctuary followed by a guided nature walk until you reach the machaan for an overnight stay. The dinner comprises of piping hot food served by our team. Listen to the sounds of the forests at night or see the nocturnal wildlife at a distance as you stay cocooned inside. This experience allows you to experience the jungle in a most intimate manner. It truly doesn’t get better than this!

Discover the magic of starry nights unobstructed from the pollution and the city lights. Learn about the various constellations or simply observe the moon, the Milky way and other celestial bodies. An experience that enrapts, causes a sense of self reflection and is bound to leave you with a sense of wonder at the vastness of this universe.

At the lodge, we pride ourselves on the state of the art telescopes which can be set up in the designated areas of the lodge itself or be a part of your night safari as per the request.

At Pench Jungle Camp, we recognise the importance of engaging with children. Apart from creating great vacation memories, it also helps them to nurture deep affection and appreciation towards nature and wildlife.

In an era where gadgets have replaced outdoor games, we offer a gamut of activities which engage the young

1. Educational walks with naturalists

Short interesting walks with expert naturalists to know about nature and wildlife. Depending upon their age, the naturalist shares interesting facts about the animal kingdom and the forests of Pench with them after-all these are the same forests that inspired Kipling to pen down the tales of Mowgli.

2. Treasure Hunt

Discover the joys of treasure hunt. The children use the books in the libraries to have their own Indiana Jones moment as they seek the treasures hidden across the lodge’s vast estate. It involves puzzles, running around and laughter.

3. Picnics

Let your young ones experience the joys of old school picnics done amidst nature. Our chefs pack a picnic basket with snacks and fruits for them to truly relish this experience.

4. Cookie Making and Sharing

Ever eaten a cookie dough? There’s a reason that’s now even an ice cream flavour!
Let our chef’s team guide the children for a cookie making experience. It is usually followed by the visit to the village where the children can share their proudly made cookies with others.

5. Face Painting

Children can experience caricatures of their favourite animals painted on their faces and hands.

Explore the village hamlet of ‘Pachdhar’, adjoining the Pench National Park and get acquainted with the local crafts. This village comprises of over 100 ‘Kumhars’ families (meaning potter in Hindi), who have traditionally practised pottery as a primary vocation subsisted with agriculture.
Each house in the village has a huge verandah, a space where the family practises this age-old craft.

During the evenings, you can either drive or cycle to the village and interact with the rural craftsmen while they make pottery. You can try your hand at pottery yourself too and buy some souvenirs for the trip back home.

Unwind amidst the beauty of the setting sun near the serene waters of Khoka lake. Witness the calmness with the birds returning to their nests to roost, as you leave the drudgery of the city-life behind. A time for leisurely conversations and shared moments with your loved ones as you relish the delicious snacks and drinks especially prepared for you by our in-house chef.

Join us for guided birding and nature trails to understand the park intimately. We conduct them in certain identified trails around the park (in buffer areas) or inside the forested area of the lodge itself.

Due to the vast natural forested estate with negligible human interference, the lodge itself is a treasure trove for birding enthusiasts. Our naturalists have recorded a variety of species of birds in the lodge itself.

Nature trails usually involve a leisurely walk of 3-4 kms and the activity duration ranges from 1-2 hours depending upon the guests.

Surprise your partner with a special gourmet experience. Choose from a host of romantic personalised dining setups including multiple course dinner at gazebo, candlelight meal by the poolside or a high tea by the lakeside.

These moments are designed to provide you privacy in a romantic setting with dedicated butler looking after all your culinary needs. These experiences can also be extended to involve a group of friends and family.

To craft such experiences, reach out to our travel experts.

At Jungle Camps, we pride ourselves on the culinary experiences in a variety of outdoor settings.
The meals are designed to take you on a culinary journey as you explore the central India through its gastronomical language.

The meals are freshly prepared from the local produce sourced either from the kitchen garden or from the nearby farmers. The end result being the delectable, wholesome meals.

Some of the alfresco experiences which can be hosted on request include:

• Meals at the gazebo
• Candlelit dinner by the poolside
• Barbecue evenings under the night sky by the bonfire
• Outdoor breakfasts
• Special bush dinners