Pench National Park in India

Pench is home to almost 40 species of mammals, among them of course the tiger, though the wildlife is typically more difficult to spot here than other Madhya Pradesh parks, due to the dense forest cover. Other apex predators at work in Pench include a healthy population of leopards, Asiatic wild dogs and even a few Indian wolves – with only around 3,000 of them thought to be alive in the wild, tourism has a significant role to play in their conservation. Jackals and sloth bears (Baloo) are also often seen.

All of these predators need prey of course, and in Pench they’re spoilt for choice. The park is reckoned to have the highest density of deer and antelope in India, including chital, sambar and nilgai and a healthy population of the Indian bison. There are also some 210 species of birds in Pench, including eagles, and the best time for birdwatching here is between January and April when insect numbers are high and many migratory species can be identified.

Game drives in Pench are accompanied by expert naturalist guides. With their knowledge of folklore, flora and fauna and local culture, they can make safaris much more than just about catching sight of the animals, though they’re highly skilled at just that, of course. Responsible operators use well paid guides drawn from local communities that make these trips just as much of a cultural exchange as they are safaris.

Pench is usually combined with other destinations in India, including national parks such as Kanha and Ranthambore, sightseeing in Delhi, or even a cruise on the Kerala backwaters. These holidays might be either small group tours, travelling on fixed itineraries and dates, or tailormade trips that give you greater flexibility on what you do, when and also the type of accommodation used.

Game drives take place in open-topped jeep, usually twice a day, in the mornings and afternoons and last between three and four hours. Each gate has a fixed quota of drives, illustrating the importance of joining an organised tour that can ensure these are booked well in advance and those all important permits are arranged. Gates can be up to 100km apart, so by using an expert operator you can be sure they have booked you onto a game drive from the entrance nearest your accommodation, minimising travel time. Depending on the time of year, you’ll set off early in the morning, potentially as early as 6am, which means in winter you’ll want layered clothing to keep out the chill. Afternoon drives typically begin around 2.30pm.

Accommodations are located close to park gates, in the buffer zone, so that you are likely to see wildlife wandering around. These are usually lodges or campsites and can be quite luxurious, as well as very eco friendly and designed to fit in with the natural environment. Lodges will often have fans, and you may also have a swimming pool, to cope with the midday heat between game drives.