Nestled in the heart of Madhya Pradesh is the national park where Mowgli finds his home. Yes, you heard us right! Pench National Park, with its captivating wilderness, stretches across 758 square kilometers of both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh (MP). Among the several entry gates, Pench National Park Turia Gate stands out as one of the most prominent ones.
Whether you’re an avid wildlife lover, a student, or just someone enthusiastic about nature, the Pench National Park’s Turia Gate is your gateway to an unforgettable adventure!
Pench National Park’s Legacy
The national park has a rich history and finds significance even in literature. This is because it inspired Rudyard Kipling’s timeless classic ‘The Jungle Book’.
The book became a sensation worldwide, and saw numerous films and broadway musicals adapting the literary work. And let’s admit, who hasn’t danced to the tunes of Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hain?
The national park gets its name from the Pench River that flows through it. It is spread across the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, with a major chunk lying in the former state.
Declared a tiger reserve in 1992, Pench is a part of the ambitious Project Tiger that aims to boost this beasts population through holistic conservation efforts.
Pench is characterized by dry deciduous forests, lush teak plantations and open grasslands that stretch out as far as the eyes can go. To view this rich wildlife and vegetation, visitors enter the park mainly through the Turia Gate.
Core Gates of Pench National Park
1. Pench National Park Turia Gate
Situated near the MP-Maharashtra Border, Pench National Park’s Turia Gate is one of the primary entryways to the tiger reserve. It is about 93 km from Nagpur and 200 km away from Jabalpur.
This core zone is rich with wildlife, primarily jackals, hyenas, deer, and of course tigers. Apart from the fauna, you can also spot flora and birds thriving in the park.
The Bhaginnala waterhole near the gate is where tigers mark their presence, especially during the summer months. Additionally, there is a path that leads to Pyorthadi.
This is well-known for its captivating ghost trees, rock formations and frequent leopard sightings. The gate serves as a starting point for many of the park’s Pench jungle safaris and walking nature trails.
Pench National Park’s Turia Gate also has accommodations, both in the luxury and budget-friendly categories, so there’s something for everyone.
2. Pench National Park Karmajhiri Gate
Located about 188 km away from Jabalpur and 110 km away from Nagpur, the Karmajhiri Gate opens up to a vast expanse of teak vegetation.
It offers jeep safari and nature trails, with the Runijhuni trail walk being a popular one. Apart from that, the nearby Ghursalghat waterbody is famous for its leopard and tiger sightings. In fact, in the neighboring area of Jhandimatta, you might even spot rare black leopards.
The Alikata region here boasts of winter vulture appearances and a spotted deer translocation program. It also has a breakfast point for hungry visitors, equipped with washroom facilities.
3. Pench National Park Jamtara Gate
Located only about 9.5 km away from the Karmajhiri Gate lies the Jamtara Gate. This is about 199 km away from Jabalpur and about 123 km away from Nagpur.
It is well-known for its sloth bear sightings. Apart from sloth bears, one can see wild dogs and barking deer roaming around in the wilderness.
Pench jungle safari becomes really exciting in this part of the national park, and we’d like you to find out more about it yourselves!
Other Buffer Gates Of Pench National Park
These are the gates located in Madhya Pradesh:
- Khawasa
- Rukhad
- Masurnala
- Teliya
- Kumbhpani
Additionally, from Maharashtra, these are the gates that open up to Pench National Park:
- Sillari
- Khursapar
- Khubala
- Kolitmara
The core areas are accessible to visitors from October to June, while the buffer areas are open year-round.
Wildlife Around Turia Gate, Pench National Park
The Pench Jungle Safari is incomplete without setting out on an adventure through the famous Turia Gate. This opens into some of the park’s most wildlife-rich zones.
The area is home to Bengal tigers, leopards, wild dogs, deer, sloth bears, sambar, and Indian gaur. Additionally, langurs and rhesus macaques can be seen frolicking atop the trees.
For birdwatchers, the park is no less a haven, with over 250 species of birds, including crested serpent eagles, kingfishers, and Indian pittas.
The Jungle Safari Experience From Turia Gate
1. Jeep Safaris
Jeep safaris are undoubtedly the most popular way to explore the park. While it lasts typically about 3 to 4 hours, each jeep accommodates up to six passengers, along with a driver and a guide.
As you traverse through the wild vegetation and landscapes of the Pench National Park, you’ll come across some unexpected animal encounters and sightings that will amaze you beyond your beliefs.
2. Walking Trails
If jeep safaris are not your thing and you wish to immerse yourself more into the experience, try going on walking trails.
These guided walks offer a chance to explore the park on foot and closely observe the patterns and lifestyle of the flora and fauna.
This is especially useful if you’re someone who’s into bird watching and botany.
3. Night Safaris
Ready to take your Pench adventure up a notch?
Why not do so at night?
While jeep and walking safaris are common activities during daylight hours, Pench also offers night safaris for those keen to explore the nocturnal side of the park.
These safaris provide a unique opportunity to observe animals that are rarely seen during the day – such as owls, porcupines, and civets. And who knows, you might even come across some rare and elusive animals – maybe even a tiger or a leopard?
Pench Safari Charges
According to the Pench Tiger Reserve’s Official Website, the rates for safari and other activities are as follows:
Price: INR 510 per person per round (mini bus); INR 1500 for a light vehicle for a total of 6 tourists; INR 1000 per person for elephant rides
Best time to visit: October to June
It is best recommended to book your safari tickets well in advance, about 120 days or so, through the online method. This way you can plan in advance and avoid any last minute inconvenience.
Summing Up
Pench National Park serves as one of the most important national parks in India. Here, there are plenty of safari options and fun activities that you can enjoy, while also immersing yourself in the rich flora and fauna.
Spot an elusive tiger hunting its next prey or closely observe fleeting birds and ghost trees, there’s so much to do in Pench. So, when are you planning your own Jungle Book adventure?
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ramar Padam temple:
Q1. Which Is The Largest Tiger Reserve In India?
The Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India. It is located in the Nallamala Forest in Andhra Pradesh
Q2. Which Gate Is Best For Pench Safari?
Turia Gate in Pench National Park is considered to be the ideal gate for accessing a majority of wildlife experiences throughout the park. The Karmajhiri and Jamtara are two other important gates as well.
Q3. Which Is The First Dark Sky Park In India?
Pench National Park is home to India’s first Dark Sky park and is the fifth such park in Asia. The park is renowned for protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution.
Q4. What Is The Name Of The Famous Tiger In Pench National Park?
The Pench National Park is famous for the birth of the famous tigress ‘Collarwali’. She gave birth to 29 cubs in eight litters over her lifetime and passed away in January 2022.
Q5. Which City Is Closest To Pench?
Seoni is the closest city located to Pench – about 59 km away from the Turia Gate, 45 km away from the Karmajhiri Gate, and 56 km away from Jamtara Gate. However, Nagpur (100 km) and Jabalpur (210 km) are the closest major cities to the national park.
