In 2028, Pench National Park plays host to our Festival of Wildlife with its rich variety of excursions, and led by an expert team including naturalists, a wildlife artist and wildlife photographer.
The Festival format is one we’ve implemented across the world, but each iteration has its own unique characteristics and moments. This will be no different in 2028 when we return to India.
The setting for Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’, Pench National Park hosts our Festival of Wildlife – a beautiful sanctuary for wildlife dominated by rolling hills, teak forests and thickets of grasses and bamboo, with a river dividing the park into distinct areas. The park’s open and varied habitats not only lend themselves to excellent wildlife viewing, but also offer striking and rewarding photographic opportunities.
Whilst exploring Pench on jeep safaris, we hope to encounter some of the Subcontinent’s most iconic species, including sloth bear, langur, dhole, gaur, chital, sambar, leopard and, of course, tiger. Across India’s national parks, tiger numbers have been increasing, and Pench – now home to a substantial breeding population of these majestic felines – is no exception.
The birdlife is also world-class, with dry-country species such as Indian roller, Asian paradise flycatcher, yellow-wattled lapwing, Malabar pied hornbill, crested serpent eagle, chestnut-shouldered petronia and white-eyed buzzard all observed here.
Our base for the Festival is Pench Tree Lodge, a peaceful and tranquil property located just a short drive from the national park’s Karmajhiri Gate. The lodge offers both cottage and treehouse accommodation, all decked out with modern furnishings and amenities to ensure a very comfortable stay. There’s also a specially designed photography hide, perfect for capturing eye-level images of species such as palm civet, porcupine, jackal and, occasionally, jungle cat, alongside a host of avian subjects.
As with all our Festivals, we’re joined by expert wildlife photographers, preeminent wildlife artists and extremely knowledgeable naturalists, who accompany us on our safaris and host a series of fascinating workshops and presentations.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
This evening, we depart the UK on overnight flights to India, arriving the following morning.
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Day 2:
Arrive in Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, we're met and transferred to our nearby accommodation.
The rest of the day is free to spend and relax after our travels, before dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 3:
Fly to Nagpur & transfer to Pench National Park
This morning, we return to the airport in Delhi to catch our onward domestic flight to Nagpur.
On arrival in Nagpur, we're met and transferred to Pench National Park. This journey takes approximately three and a half hours, so we should reach Pench by the early afternoon.
Later in the day, there may be time to start exploring Pench with our first excursion into the national park, and our first opportunity to experience Pench's excellent wildlife. Afterwards, we return to our lodge in time for dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Pench Tree Lodge, 7-nights
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Days 4-9
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Explore Pench National Park
For the next six days, we explore the various habitats of Pench National Park and enjoy the wildlife that we observe. Mid-to-late February is the optimal time for visiting Pench, and through a programme of excursions, presentations and workshops, we can really appreciate the variety of flora and fauna found in this region of Central India.
Our primary excursion is early morning and afternoon jeep safaris into the core areas of Pench National Park. Whilst on the Festival, the aim is to celebrate all species found in the ecosystems that we experience, including some of the most iconic animals on the Asian Subcontinent.
However, with that being said, one of the key target species that we make concerted efforts to encounter is the regal Bengal tiger. Like many of the national parks in India, tiger numbers in Pench have increased over recent decades. Following a number of surveys, the current estimated population is thought to be approximately 65 individuals, which means we should have good opportunities of viewing these fabulous felines.
Pench is able to support such a strong population of tigers due to the abundance of prey species found here. As we weave our way through the deciduous forests and grasslands of the national park, we should come across herds of sambar, chital and gaur, with troops of grey langurs and Rhesus macaques also watching our movements. There are further mammals that we could catch sight of, including sloth bear, golden jackal, wild boar, dhole and, if we're lucky, leopard.
The birdlife in Pench is also excellent, with species such as Indian peafowl, Indian roller, Asian paradise flycatcher, greater racket-tailed drongo, crested serpent eagle, Malabar pied hornbill and black-rumped flameback woodpecker all observed here.
Nick Mackman and Bret Charman are both members of our Festival team, and they host sculpture and photographic workshops respectively throughout our stay in Pench. Wildlife Worldwide founder Chris Breen and general manager Dan Free are also part of our team. Both have substantial experience of India and its wildlife, having travelled to the country multiple times. Chris and Dan, in addition to the rest of our team, join all of our safaris in Pench.
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Day 10:
Return to Nagpur & fly to Delhi
This morning, we have one final jeep safari in Pench before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, it's time to depart and transfer back to Nagpur for our domestic flight back to Delhi.
Once we’re back in Delhi, we're met and transferred to our accommodation for our last night in India.
Accommodation: Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 11:
Departure & arrive in UK
Today, we depart Delhi and fly back to the UK, arriving the same day.
Please note: There are currently no more single-occupancy rooms at the moment. If you would like to be added to the waitlist in case one becomes available, please contact us.
