Pench National Park

Pench takes its name from the river running through it, dammed in the 1980s to form a reservoir that splits the reserve, and the forest is teak rather than sal, which drops its leaves in the hot months and opens the ground up considerably. Tigers, leopard, dhole, gaur, sloth bear and large herds of chital live here, and the birdlife is strong, with over two hundred and fifty species. The reserve spans the Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra border with gates in both. Kipling knew of this area and the reserve trades on the connection, as its neighbours do.

What you actually see

• The teak forest - open dry woodland, leafless in the hot season.
• The Pench reservoir - the dammed river splitting the reserve.
• The tigers and dhole - the main predators, with dhole packs often seen.
• The chital herds - large groups of spotted deer in the open ground.

When to go

October to June; the park closes for the monsoon. April to June is the best time for sightings as leaves drop and animals use the water, though temperatures pass forty degrees.

Honest expectations

Permits book out in season and zones are allotted. The reservoir splits the reserve so gates are far apart; the wrong gate means a long drive. Tiger sightings are a matter of luck.

Nearby

Nagpur lies south; Kanha is northeast.