Pench straddles the Madhya Pradesh–Maharashtra border along its namesake river, and it is Kipling's actual setting for Mowgli. The park runs drier and more open than Kanha — teak instead of salSalA tall hardwood tree that forms the dominant forest of central and northern India.Read in the glossary, seasonal riverbeds instead of meadows — which makes its wild dogs and leopards easier to catch in the open.
The camps here put nothing between you and the night forest but canvas — and the star bed platforms out in the fields are the circuit's single best night.
Signature Experiences
- ◆Game drives along the Pench riverbeds
- ◆Wild dog and leopard tracking
- ◆Teak forest and riverbed exploration
Optional, By Arrangement
- ◆Star bed night platform
- ◆Photography sessions in teak-forest light
- ◆Tribal village visit
- ◆Birdwatching with a naturalist
Where We Place Our Guests
- Jamtara Wilderness CampStar-bed machans and riverside tents on the quiet northern boundary of the park.
- Taj BaghvanPrivate-deck bungalows overlooking the buffer forest.
The Table
- Bush breakfasts
- Jungle picnic lunches
- Gourmet dining under the mahua trees
Curator's Advisory
Give the naturalist your wish list at dawn — last days are for closing gaps. Wild dog relay hunts play out in the open here; watch for a pack moving.
In & Around Pench
Pench sits within our Madhya Pradesh region guide.
Where to Stay
Journeys Through Pench
The Journal
Related Reading
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