From top:1/ Naked forest in May 2/ Early morning safari 3/ The King in Pench
For the Jungle and wild life lovers, I recommend Pench National Park in India for the following reasons:
1/ Proximity to the big city-Nagpur, Maharastra which is connected by Air and Train from all metro in India.2/ Just off by 12 kms from main Nagpur-Jabalpur highway3/ Tracks are shorter, beautiful teek trees are thicker with dense underground with and more of herbivor population than other parks in India4/ The mountain ranges are scenic5/ Pleasure of staying at World's one of the most luxurious jungle and wild life stay at "Bhagvan", a Taj Safari Lodge at Pench National ParkSo, lets go!
We left from Nagpur in the morning on NH7 towards Jabalpur. With 2 hours we were at a village Khawasa, a toll and a border post between Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh. Took a turn to pench National park and entered into a scenic deciduous Teak forest. After about 10 Kms, reached at a village of Avarghani. Passed "Turia Gate" and entered into the Pench National Park spread around Pench river. We had pruposely gone in May as the chances of seeing the wild life is more in summer when water holes dry up leaving river Pench the only source of water for the wild animals. The blistering heat of summer may bother some but not to most Indians. It also depends on your objective of visit. To enjoy honeymoon? Just relaxation and chilling out? Or adventure? Or wild life and safari?
We went straight to our lodge "Bhagvan" a Taj group luxury in Jungle. And it was an awesome place in a jungle!We just loved its location. Our rooms were overlooking jungle. The quality of rooms and service..nothing to say about Taj group. Impeccable! Well, they had planned and arranged everything for us. May it be safari, bird watching or other activities.
After our delicious and sumptuous lunch we went for a drive in the nearby forest area. I was surprised to see heard of Cheetal and Samber grazing on a small green patch. Our guide told us that Leopard are usually seen around periphery of the park but may enter into deep jungle as well. we went around the reserve area of Chhedia and Jamtara where we were lucky to see many types of birds. Pench, we came to know, boasts of more than 210 species of birds! Some we saw were Peafowl, Red Jungle fowl. pheasants and Rocket tailed Drongo that day.
We were told that safaris are allowed only during day time, one in the early morning and the second in the afternoon. Next day, we went for an early morning safari reaching at the gate at 5AM. We saw variety of wild animals but the king eluded us. In the evening we went again and were able to spot the Tiger at a distance. It was an awesome sight. The King with it's majestic walk coming down on a slope. We all were overjoyed!
It was really a memorable trip, since this being our first wild trip in summer.... loved each and every moment of being in the wild.
The wildly atmosphere, the chirping of birds, the dense foliage with some hidden wonders, the working together attitude between different species, alarm calls and the intense atmosphere ... and simple living & lovingly bond .... just amazing!!!
However, my advice to visitors to the national parks in India: Go for adventure wild life and natural beauty and not ONLY TO SEE A TIGER. If you spot one, good luck to you but if not, enjoy nature, other wild animals and birds. Treasure these moments in your life.
We returned back to Nagpur on the third day as we had a package of Bhagvan, TAJ Lodge only for two nights. It was a great wild life tour. Not over crowded like Kanha or Bandhavgarh. May be because of summer and not winter.
The tariff of Taj "Bhagvan Lodge' was very attractive and within the reach of a common traveler. In summer, it was Rs.8000/- for couple for 2 nights on B&B basis. For details and current package, contact their site or central reservation system mentioned below:http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/Taj-Safaris/Baghvan-Pench-National-Park/Special-Offers.html
Related post:AWESOME BHANDHAVGARH WILD LIFE SANCTURAY MADHYA PRADESH