I had wanted to visit Pench National Park for a long time. I wanted to see its wildlife and spend time in nature. I planned a short trip from Mumbai to Pench through Nagpur. I booked a comfortable resort near the park and planned a morning Gypsy safari through Turia Gate. I was most interested in seeing the forest early in the morning and looking for wildlife. I had one day to travel from Mumbai, reach the resort, rest, and prepare for the safari. My journey started with an early flight from Mumbai to Nagpur.
Mumbai To Pench: My Travel Journey
I left Mumbai early in the morning and reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The airport was already busy, but my travel plan was simple. I boarded my flight to Nagpur and settled into my seat. The flight took about one and a half hours, and I reached Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur, at around 8:30 AM. Nagpur is a convenient gateway to Pench, so I had arranged my road travel before the trip.
My pre-booked private SUV was waiting outside the airport. I chose a private cab because it gave me more comfort, privacy, and freedom during the journey. After putting my luggage inside, I started driving toward Pench. The road journey took about 2 to 2.5 hours and covered around 90 kilometres. We travelled on NH 44. The road was mostly smooth, and the surroundings slowly changed as we moved away from Nagpur.
The city slowly changed into open fields, villages, and rural areas. There was less traffic, and the journey became quieter. I enjoyed looking outside and seeing green areas and open land. After some time, we reached the forest areas around Pench. By late morning, I reached the Pench area and was ready to check into my resort.
My Stay, Check-In And First Meal
Tuli Tiger Corridor Resort was the place I decided to stay at. Since it was near the park borders, it proved to be an easy choice for my safari journey. I felt relieved after reaching my destination after the long drive from Nagpur. I was welcomed by the employees of the resort upon reaching there. A welcome drink was served to me during the check-in process, wherein my ID was also verified. Then, I received the keys to my cottage
My cottage was spacious and faced the natural surroundings. It was comfortable for a short wildlife trip, especially after travelling from Mumbai early in the morning. I kept my luggage inside, rested for a short time, and then went for lunch.
The buffet had several Indian dishes. I had hot chapatis, dal tadka, jeera rice, paneer curry, and fresh salad. The food was simple and filling. It was a good meal after the early flight and road journey.
After lunch, I knew I needed to rest because the safari was planned for the next morning. I spent the rest of the day relaxing and getting ready for the early start.
Getting Ready For The Morning Safari
My alarm rang at around 5:00 AM to go for the morning safari. The weather was cold, and it was still dark outside. There was mist covering the region, and it made the weather even colder. I got dressed in layers of clothing before I left for the safari. This included wearing a thermal undergarment, a fleece jacket, a woolen hat, and gloves. After that, I went to the resort lobby to have some warm ginger tea.
The safari was going to start from Turia Gate, which is one of the popular gates of Pench National Park. By 5:45 AM, I reached the location, and the open-top Maruti Gypsy was already waiting for me. There, our guide joined us, and he had a few years of experience in the forest. Our driver was also present with us. He was an extremely careful driver and was attentive to the forest surroundings. First of all, our guide gave us some general instructions. He advised us to keep ourselves warm and be attentive to all the rules of the forest. Our forest permit and other required documents were verified at the entry point. After that, we waited for the gates to open.
Once the gate opened, the Gypsy entered the inner zone. Exploring Pench by safari in the early morning felt completely different, with soft light coming through the trees and mist still close to the ground. We continued along the forest tracks through teak trees while the cold morning air surrounded us. We drove along a gravel track through teak trees, with the cold morning air around us. Before we left, I had also ensured that my phone and camera were charged, that we dressed in warm clothing, and kept my documents safe. Since the safari began before sunrise, I had made sure that all these things were taken care of. This was because viewing the wildlife was not guaranteed, as animals roam free in such a vast forest.
Tracking Fresh Tiger Pugmarks
The First Signs of a Tiger
For the first 20 minutes, the safari was quiet. We mainly heard the Gypsy moving over the forest track and some bird calls. At one point, I heard a Rufous Treepie. Everyone continued looking carefully for signs of wildlife.
Then our driver suddenly stopped the Gypsy. I looked toward the track. He had noticed something on the ground.
There, in the damp mud, were large and fresh pugmarks. They were tiger footprints. Seeing fresh tiger pugmarks so early changed the mood inside the Gypsy. I looked at our guide and asked, “How old is this?” He looked at the marks carefully and said they appeared to have been made recently. He explained that the tiger had probably passed through the same area recently.
Following the Fresh Pugmarks
We started moving slowly. Nobody wanted to make unnecessary noise. Our driver drove carefully, while the guide watched the track and the nearby plants and grass.
As we continued, we saw more wildlife. A troop of Langurs was moving through the trees. Their movements made us look at the higher parts of the forest as well as the ground.
Soon, we saw a group of Chital, or Spotted Deer, standing in a clearing. They looked very alert. Their ears moved as they listened to sounds around them.
We also saw Sambar Deer and Indian Peafowl. Among the birds, I noticed a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and some Kingfishers. These sightings made the search more interesting because we were watching animal behaviour and looking for signs of a predator.
Alarm Calls Raise the Excitement
Then the situation changed again. We started hearing alarm calls.
First, a Chital gave an alarm call. Soon after, we heard a sharp call from a Sambar deer in another direction. The sounds moved through the forest, and our guide became more attentive.
Deer alarm calls can sometimes mean that a predator is nearby. Since we had already found very fresh tiger pugmarks, we took the calls seriously.
The vehicle stopped, and the engine was switched off. For about 10 minutes, we waited quietly. I kept looking at the golden grass and thick vegetation near the track. Our guide and driver also looked carefully in different directions. Every few seconds, I expected to see something move.
Then I saw only a glimpse of the tiger.
Tiger Sighting and a Memorable Tracking Experience
The tiger went into hiding. We finally understood that there would be no other direct sighting during this drive. The pugmarks were fresh, and the alarm calls suggested that a tiger had been nearby. However, it went into thick vegetation, including areas covered with Lantana, where it became difficult to see.
So, did I see the tiger? Yes, only a glimpse.
Still, the safari gave me a different wildlife experience. I followed fresh tiger pugmarks, listened to alarm calls, watched deer and other animals react, and spent time searching the forest for signs of a predator.
Instead of seeing the tiger directly, I experienced more of tiger tracking. After spending enough time in the area, we continued the drive and eventually headed toward the exit.
After Safari: Lunch, Rest And Dinner
I returned to the resort by late morning. After several hours in the cold, open Gypsy, I wanted warmth and rest.
I removed my heavy layers and had a hot shower. After that, I relaxed on my cottage veranda. I read a book for some time and later looked through the wildlife photographs I had taken during the safari.
The evening at the resort was much slower than the morning. I could relax without having to follow a safari schedule.
Dinner was arranged near a bonfire. The outdoor setting was comfortable, and sitting near the fire was pleasant after the cold morning. I had a relaxed meal and enjoyed the quiet evening.
The dinner included Saoji-style chicken, along with vegetable dishes and tandoori rotis. I also talked with other wildlife enthusiasts staying at the resort. Everyone shared their own wildlife and safari experiences.
There was no early wake-up the next day. I could finally have a relaxed morning before starting my return journey to Nagpur.
Next Morning And Return To Nagpur
The next morning was much easier. There was no early safari, so I woke up at around 7:30 AM.
I had a relaxed breakfast at the resort. I ate Poha and had fresh juice. After breakfast, I packed my belongings and completed check-out at around 10:00 AM.
My cab was already waiting outside the resort. I loaded my luggage and started the return drive to Nagpur.
The drive took about two hours and was smooth. There were no major problems on the way. The same rural roads and surroundings that I had seen during the first journey slowly brought me back toward Nagpur.
I reached Nagpur in time for my evening flight back home. The trip had included a comfortable resort stay, regional food, wildlife sightings, and an early morning search for a tiger.
I only got a brief glimpse of the tiger, but the experience was still memorable. The fresh pugmarks, alarm calls, and reactions of the deer made the tracking experience interesting. The safari reminded me that a wildlife trip is not only about seeing an animal clearly. It is also about observing the forest and understanding the signs of wildlife.