Pench National Park spans across two neighboring states: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The reserve's designated areas are divided into Core Zones (undisturbed central forest areas with highly regulated entry caps) and Buffer Zones (surrounding forest areas where human-wildlife co-existence occurs, often offering specialized night or cycling tours).
This is the most active and popular entry gate in Pench. Famous for its open grasslands, beautiful Ghost trees (Sterculia urens), and major waterholes such as Baginnalla, Alikatta, and Kala Pahad.
Offering a serene environment with dense teak forests, Karmajhiri is ideal for birdwatching and tranquil wildlife sightings. It serves as an alternative gate with lower tourist vehicle congestion.
Famous for its dense concentration of Banyan trees, this core zone offers sightings of sloth bears. When river levels are low during summer, Jamtara connects smoothly to the central Alikatta area.
This open scrubland terrain is famous for its nocturnal species. It is highly regarded as a key sanctuary for Indian wolves, wild foxes, jackals, and several owl species. Night safaris are conducted here.
A hilly landscape featuring natural flowing streams. Rukhad is recognized for its unique cycling safaris and tiger tracking near highway underpasses.
Situated close to the Turia entry gate, Teliya has gained attention in recent years for frequent sightings of wolves and rare melanistic leopards (black panthers).
Located near Khawasa, this newly developed buffer zone limits entry to a very low number of vehicles per shift, ensuring a quiet, peaceful birdwatching and deer-tracking experience.
Serving as an alternative to Rukhad, this zone is characterized by thick bamboo clumps and serves as an important habitat for the Indian Gaur (bison) and tigers.
Located near the MP border, Khursapar has gained a strong reputation for predator sightings. The area is rich in natural waterbodies like the Bandra Talab, which attracts Chinkara, Gaurs, and leopards.
The main Maharashtra gate, Sillari features dense bamboo groves, mixed dry-deciduous canopies, and flowing streams. Note: This zone is closed to tourists on Wednesdays.
Nestled deep within the western bank of the Pench River, this scenic zone combines standard forest jeep rides with boating experiences on the Pench Reservoir.
A quieter forest tract favored by photographers for tracking local water birds, raptors, and sloth bears. Note: This zone is closed to tourists on Mondays.
Accessed via Surewani village, this core zone consists of dense woodlands providing shelter to leopards, tigers, and deer herds.
Locally referred to as Nagalwadi, this hilly terrain serves as a critical biological corridor. It is open to evening and night safari drives.
Please reach out to our team if you require assistance with selecting zones, planning itineraries, or managing resort and transport bookings: