Pench National Park

Spanning 758 sq. km, Pench National Park is a blend of Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest interspersed with tropical dry deciduous teak woodlands. The terrain is interlaced with numerous seasonal streams and ‘nallahs’, many of which dry up during the summer. While the Pench River typically runs dry by late April, a series of natural water pools known locally as ‘dohs’ remain, serving as vital waterholes for the region’s wildlife.

The Pench Reservoir, located at the park’s core, becomes the primary water source during the dry season. Although the park gained widespread recognition with the rise of wildlife tourism in 2002, its legacy was etched far earlier—immortalised by Rudyard Kipling in The Jungle Book, inspired by this very landscape.

Wildlife sightings are common and rewarding. Cheetal, sambar, and nilgai are frequently seen grazing near open roadsides, riverbanks, and around the reservoir. Packs of wild dogs, sometimes up to 15 strong, can often be spotted in areas like Chhedia, Jamtara, Bodanala, and Pyorthadi. During summer, herds of gaur congregate near streams and bamboo groves, while sloth bears are typically found in rocky, hilly outcrops dense with mahul bel vines. The elusive chinkara, though rare, can be found in small numbers near open grasslands surrounding Turia, Telia, and Dudhgaon villages.