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India's tiger tourism is flecked with grand reserves, but Pench National Park differs from the pack for its marriage of wild appeal, diversity, and immersive safari experience. Spanning the south edge of Madhya Pradesh into Maharashtra, Pench provides a glimpse of the elusive tiger here, but rather than just providing glimpses, it's an entire wildlife theater where each quarter tells a new chapter of the jungle's drama.

Whether you're an inaugural guest or a returning wanderer, being aware of Pench National Park's zones and how best to optimize its safari experience is the way forward. In this blog, we take an in-depth look at each zone of Pench from Madhya Pradesh's world-renowned Turia Gate to Maharashtra's wild Sillari touching upon what awaits you, what you can look forward to spotting, and tips for planning the ideal wildlife outing.

The Two Faces of Pench: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

Pench is divided into two administrative portions:

Madhya Pradesh side (Seoni District)

Maharashtra side (Nagpur-Chandrapur Border)

Both sides have several safari zones, both in the core and buffer, providing distinct terrain, flora, fauna, and possibilities of sighting wildlife particularly tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and sloth bears.

Core Safari Zones in Madhya Pradesh

1. Turia Zone (MP) – The Star of Pench

Entry Gate: Turia Gate (Seoni District)

Safari Type: Jeep Safari

Known For: High tiger density, well-maintained routes, best infrastructure Turia is the most frequented area of Pench and commonly known as the crown jewel. Its expansive open grasslands, dense teak wood forests, and closeness to water sources make it an ideal spot for spotting tigers. Celebrities like Collarwali (now passed away) and her progeny have turned the area into legend among wildlife photogs.

Common Sightings: Tigers, leopards, jackals, gaur (Indian bison), wild dogs, spotted deer, and peacocks.

Landscape View: Open glades, mixed forest, and water bodies such as the Pench River and Baginallah stream ideal for wildlife photography.

2. Karmajhiri Zone (MP) – The Wilderness Experience

Entry Gate: Karmajhiri Gate

Safari Type: Jeep Safari (Limited permits)

Deeper in the forest, Karmajhiri provides a more raw and unbridled jungle experience. Though it might have fewer cars and fewer people than Turia, it's equally biodiverse.

Common Sightings: Tigers, nilgai, sambar deer, langurs, and a number of bird species.

Best For: Nature enthusiasts and keen wildlife spotters who enjoy silent trails.

3. Jamtara Zone (MP) – Offbeat and Peaceful

Entry Gate: Jamtara Gate

Safari Type: Jeep Safari (Exclusive and restricted)

Jamtara has some of the most beautiful drives through teak and bamboo forests. This is a great option for those seeking a calm safari experience without tourist crowds.

Common Sightings: Sloth bears, wild dogs, hyenas, and occasional tiger movements.

Buffer Zones in Madhya Pradesh

Buffer zones are forest regions around the core zone, open to tourists with less ecological interference. Though sightings are relatively lower, they provide good opportunities and often shorter waiting lists for reservations.

1. Rukhad Zone

Situated close to Chhindwara, this area is well-known for walking safaris and cycling routes. It is not a standard jeep safari area but does provide adventure and interactive involvement with nature.

2. Telia, Khawasa, and Teliya Zones

These areas are gaining popularity because of growing tiger movement. Wild dog, leopard, and porcupine sightings have been common.

Core Safari Zones in Maharashtra

1. Sillari Zone (MH) – The Hidden Gem

Entry Gate: Sillari Gate (Nagpur District)

Safari Type: Jeep Safari

This area is well linked and easily accessible from Nagpur. Sillari is becoming popular for frequent tiger sightings, and well-planned routes make it a convenient option for day trips.

Common Sightings: Tigers, leopards, wild boars, mongoose, and various birds.

2. Chorbahuli Zone (MH)

Entry Gate: Chorbahuli Gate

Safari Type: Jeep Safari (limited)

Chorbauli is a peaceful area with a combination of grasslands and bamboo groves. It's less crowded than Sillari, and hence an excellent place for patient trackers and birders.

Rare Sightings: Pangolins, monitor lizards, and shy civets.

3. Kolitmara Zone (MH)

Kolitmara is less popular but picked up for being high in flora and birdlife. It is commonly employed for nature walks and educational tourism.

Types of Safaris in Pench

1. Morning Safari (Sunrise – 10:30 AM)

Early morning safaris are ideal for spotting big cats, as tigers and leopards are most active in the cooler part of the day. You also get to experience the jungle "waking up," with bird sounds, chattering deer, and the occasional alarm call.

2. Afternoon Safari (2:30 PM – Sunset)

Best for getting golden light in your photographs. Though tigers are more lethargic during the heat of the day, sightings around water bodies such as Sita Ghat or Baginallah in the Turia zone are common.

3. Night Safari (Only in Buffer Zones)

Night safaris in areas such as Telia provide an exciting opportunity to spot nocturnal animals. Civets, owls, porcupines, and occasionally even sloth bears and leopards are spotted.

Safari Booking Tips

Book Online in Advance: Pench gets filled fast, particularly the central areas such as Turia and Sillari.

Select the Correct Zone: If you're visiting here for the tiger, select Turia, Karmajhiri, or Sillari. For unconventional activities, go to Jamtara or Chorbauli.

Book a Good Guide: Naturalists can really make a big difference in your safari by interpreting pugmarks, noises, and body language of animals.

Take Multiple Safaris: To maximize your sighting opportunity, take a minimum of 2–3 safaris in different zones. 

Best Safari Time in Pench

October – November: Dense foliage, pleasant weather but fewer sightings.

December – March: Comfortable temperatures, better visibility, good for birding. 

April – June: Summer peak. Ideal for tiger sightings as animals congregate around waterholes, but very hot.

Final Thoughts: A Safari Paradise Beyond the Ordinary

Pench National Park is not a destination, it's a jungle tale being narrated in real time. With the dramatic tiger tracks of Turia to the tranquil forests of Sillari, each range has something distinct to share. If you are looking for the big cats, rare birds, or just an escape into spirituality within nature, a safari at Pench is not just a show of sights, it is a tale of stories.

So load up your binoculars, power your camera, and choose your zone. The wild of Pench awaits you, and your next safari trip is around the corner by just a gate.