Pench is where the literary genius, Sir Rudyard Kipling set his timeless classic, The Jungle Book and its wolf child, immortalized as Mowgli. This masterpiece inspired by the true incident of a human child, reared by wolves in the nineteenth century, in Seonee (now Seoni) district, is located in the charming, lush land of Pench, in Madhya Pradesh.
It isn’t a surprise that Sir Kipling was beguiled by the streams and rivulets – most of them springing from the River Pench, the lofty Satpura range, a landmass covered by the towering teak and dry deciduous forests. Even though he, himself never visited this charming countryside.
Pench is indeed a land of delightful splendour. Myriad flora and fauna inhabit these stunning jungles. Tigers, Indian leopards, sloth bears, several varieties of spotted deer, nilgais, sambhar, chinkara, etc, wild dogs, gaurs and not to forget Kipling’s adoptive family for Mowgli – the wolves. Pench is an idyllic land for bird watching, boasting over 210 species of birds, including migratory birds.
The thought of going on a forest vacation conjures up images of an adrenaline-pumping jeep safari that takes one into the dense forests, to spot wildlife. But it isn’t a surprise that there is more to it than meets the eye. A forest vacation can offer a varied set of activities, keeping one’s thirst for adventure alive. And at the same time endorse one’s quest to go exploring nature at its pristine best.
The Pench Tree Lodge in the bewitching locales of Sarahari village of Pench offers the enthusiastic traveler a host of activities to engage in.
Here are the top seven things to do in Pench, beyond Safari:
Top things to do in Pench include Runi Jhuni walking trail, Rukhad cycling excursions, Tribal bazaar visit, Night trail, local culinary classes, Night safari in buffer zone of Pench and Photography Hide at Pench Tree Lodge. Besides these one can also opt for Jeep Safari in Pench National Park.
1. Runi Jhuni Walking Trail:
Experiencing nature on foot is an extraordinary encounter altogether. Runi Jhuni walking trail inside the Pench National Park, from Karmajhiri gate, is a 3-4 km nature trail that gives the guests a perfect opportunity to experience nature and wildlife from close quarters. Accompanied by experienced naturalists, this walking trail ensures an intimate understanding of nature and the various flora and fauna.
Alarm calls, and fresh animal tracks, including tiger pug marks, and scats (droppings) can be spotted in this serene jungle walk. Langurs, deers, wild boars, jungle fowls, a variety of birds, and flora are the attractions of this nature trail.
Charges: Runi Jhuni walking trail costs about INR 3000/- per person for a group of two pax including all taxes, transportation, and guide charges for guests staying with Pench Tree Lodge.
2. Rukhad Cycling Excursion:
This cycling excursion from Rukhad sanctuary which is situated in the buffer zone of Pench National reserve is a wonderful expedition of spotting wildlife amidst scenic beauty.
Historically Rukhad was one of the most popular forests for sighting wild animals. Being a part of the famous Kanha-Pench Tiger Corridor, Rukhad, though not a national park, still supports magnificent teak and bamboo forests and a good population of gaurs, tigers, leopards, bears, and associated herbivores. According to the latest census, the tiger population in Rukhad is at twelve.
Rukhad sanctuary is a forty-five-minute, post-breakfast drive from Pench tree lodge The cycling expedition starts at around 8 A.M. and covers a distance of 22 km finishing at Sakata Forest Rest House. During the course of the ride, cyclists stop to sight various birds and animals.
The ride ends at 12 noon with a piping hot lunch at Sakata Forest Rest House, built-in 1903; reminiscent of English old-world charm.
There is an option of going for a game drive at 3 P.M. in an open jeep safari and returning to the lodge by 6:00 p.m. Or, heading back to the lodge post-lunch. A local English-speaking guide cum naturalist accompanies the ride.
Other pointers:
- Moderate fitness level
- Basic previous experience in cycling comes in handy
- BEST TIME: November to March
3. Tribal Bazaar and Haat:
Enjoy a guided tour, a leisurely walk, or a bicycle ride to the local villages and weekly haats (bazaars). You can have your fill of indigenous crafts and products of the area and more likely than not, get invited to visit a villager’s home to share a cup of tea.
Village Haat days – Distance from Pench Tree Lodge
| Vijaypani | Tuesday | 3 Kms |
| Belpath | Sunday | 6 Kms  |
| Badalpar | Thursday | 10 Kms  |
| Chakkikhamari | Monday | 12 Kms |
Where to stay while in Pench
Snuggled in forty acres of wilderness, in a small tribal hamlet of Sarahiri, Pench Tree Lodge offers accommodation that is embellished with unique safari-style furniture and exquisite local crafts. Keeping their carbon footprint to the bare minimum, and offering the discerning traveller an intimate experience with twelve elegant treehouses and cottages, Pench Tree Lodge is rightly referred to as the Mowgli den.
4. Night Trail:
Credits: Samrat Godambe
We offer in-house nature trails at our lodge, through thickets, old forests, and grasslands. Night trail is a unique experience where you can spot nocturnal wildlife such as civets, owls, jungle cats, snakes, spiders, frogs, etc.
5. Savour and Learn About Local Food:
Pench Tree lodge offers its guests the authentic local flavours of Madhya Pradesh. Be it Desi aloo (local potatoes), Daal Barbati (Yard Long Bean in lentil form), Dobri Mahua Kheer (Mahua flowers made in rice pudding), and a varied variety of other local cuisines.
The lodge also offers a Farm dinner experience, under the star-studded night sky, next to the sprawling organic garden. The chef lights up a clay oven and roasts potatoes, cottage cheese, and kebabs. The guests are given a live demo of some of the recipes like Desi Alu, Angari Alu, Ajwaini Paneer Tikka, etc.
6. Night Safari in Pench:
Night safari is offered at Karmajhiri and Turia gates of Pench National Park in buffer zones. Near Pench Tree Lodge we have the Kumpani-Tikari Buffer Zone Night Safari.
Night safaris offer you a different way to experience the way Jungle feels at night. It offers you to explore the nightlife of animals and their behaviour. Some animals are nocturnal and they are active after dark eg. Owls, Civets, Hares, Porcupines and if very lucky one can encounter Tigers, Leopard and Sloth Bear. The Kumpani Tikari Buffer Zone Night Safari road is a total of 30kms which goes through hillock and then passes between the Core and Buffer zone finally taking you near Pench River. The timings for night safaris are 6 pm to 9 pm.Â
Credits: Gaurav Dhotre
7. Wildlife Hide Photography
The Kipling Photography Hide at our Pench Tree Lodge is the first of its kind, professionally designed, luxury underground wildlife photography hides in India. It gives photographers and wildlife lovers the freedom to get close to wildlife safely and discreetly, without disturbing or impacting the animals. And while it allows wildlife to behave and interact with each other with complete freedom, photographers gain a unique eye-level perspective from up close.
The Kipling Wildlife Photography Hide will also serve as a fantastic tool for conservation, by serving as a post for documentation of animal and bird species, observation, and recording of behaviour. It opens onto a reflection pond which acts as both, a water source for wildlife, as well as a photography feature for reflection images of the wildlife, that come to the water, to either drink or bathe.
A prior booking is favoured with at least four pax. Booking can be made at:
Email- [email protected] or Call us at +91-11-40136322
So, next time you are in Pench, you know how to expand your horizon, and make the best of your trip by indulging in some of these interesting, must-do activities that entail adventure and learning.
We can see you nodding. After all the land of Mowgli beckons!
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Written by : Natasha Sinha
