Official rules · checked October 2026
Pench Safari Timings, Closures and Rules
The short answer
Pench runs a morning and an afternoon safari. On the MP side for 2026–27, mornings start between 5:30 and 6:20 am and run to 11:00–11:30 am, and afternoons run from 3:00–3:30 pm to 6:00–7:00 pm. MP afternoon safaris are closed every Wednesday and on Holi and Diwali. The core of both states closes 1 July – 30 September. MP permits open 120 days ahead on MPOnline, and a core Gypsy costs roughly ₹10,100 in total.
- MP weekly closure
- Wednesday afternoon
- Festival closures
- Holi & Diwali (pm)
- Monsoon closure
- 1 Jul – 30 Sep
- Booking opens
- 120 days ahead
- Max per Gypsy
- 6 guests
On this page
Pench is run by two states with two rulebooks. MP rules here come from the reserve's FAQ and the MPOnline portal. Maharashtra-side timings follow the state's standard safari schedule. Rules change without notice, so we re-check them before confirming any booking.
Pench safari timings
MP side (Turia, Karmajhiri, Jamtara), 2026–27
| Period | Morning safari | Afternoon safari |
|---|---|---|
| October – November | 6:00 am – 11:30 am | 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
| December – January | 6:20 am – 11:30 am | 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
| February – March | 6:10 am – 11:30 am | 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm |
| April – June | 5:30 am – 11:00 am | 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm |
Maharashtra side (Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Khubala)
| Period | Morning safari | Afternoon safari |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct – 31 Oct | 6:00 am – 10:00 am | 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm |
| 1 Nov – 31 Jan | 6:30 am – 10:30 am | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
| 1 Feb – 31 Mar | 6:00 am – 10:00 am | 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm |
| 1 Apr – 30 Jun | 5:30 am – 9:30 am | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
MP morning drives are noticeably longer, running to 11:00–11:30 am against about 10:00–10:30 am in Maharashtra.
When is Pench closed?
| Closure | When |
|---|---|
| MP core: weekly | Afternoon safaris closed every Wednesday |
| MP core: festivals | Afternoon safaris closed on Holi and Diwali |
| Core monsoon closure (both states) | 1 July – 30 September (reopens 1 October) |
| Maharashtra gates: weekly | Each gate has its own day off: Sillari Wednesday, Khursapar Tuesday, Chorbahuli Monday |
What a Pench safari costs (per Gypsy)
On the MP side, you pay the permit online, then the compulsory guide and the registered Gypsy at the gate. Private vehicles aren't allowed in. Totals below are approximate current figures for the whole vehicle (up to six guests).
| Safari | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| MP core: Indian visitors | ₹10,100 | ₹10,700 |
| MP core: foreign visitors | ₹13,500 | ₹14,700 |
| MP buffer: Indian visitors | ₹8,500 | ₹8,500 |
| MP buffer: foreign visitors | ₹9,300 | ₹9,300 |
| Maharashtra side: Indian visitors | ₹7,200 | ₹7,700 |
| Maharashtra side: foreign visitors | ₹8,000 | ₹8,500 |
On a budget? MP also sells single-seat permits, and runs an 18-seater mini bus from Turia. See our shared safari guide.
Booking and current permits (MP side)
- Permits open on MPOnline 120 days ahead (the portal releases the new date at 11 am).
- Full-vehicle and single-seat permits are both sold. A Gypsy carries up to 6 guests plus the driver and a compulsory guide.
- Current (same-day) permits are sold at the Turia, Karmajhiri and Jamtara gates: for the next morning between 6 and 8 pm the evening before, and for the afternoon between 9 and 11 am the same day.
- The permit fee covers entry only. The guide and the registered Gypsy are paid separately at the gate, and private vehicles are not allowed in.
- Children up to 5 years old are exempt from the entry fee.
- A full-vehicle permit stays valid for one hour after the scheduled entry time, and a single-seat permit for 30 minutes. After that it is cancelled.
- Permits can be rescheduled online from the same MPOnline login.
Maharashtra-side permits are booked separately through the Maharashtra Forest Department's ecotourism portal.
Vehicle quotas (MP side)
| Gate | Vehicles per shift | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| Turia | 34 | 68 |
| Karmajhiri | 6 | 12 |
| Jamtara | 4 | 8 |
| Buffer (Rukhad, Telia) | 15 | 30 |
Cancellation (MP permits)
| When you cancel | What happens |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before the safari | Full permit amount refunded |
| 30–59 days before | 25% of the permit value deducted |
| 15–29 days before | 50% deducted |
| 5–14 days before | 75% deducted |
| Less than 5 days before | No refund |
ID and documents
- Carry the entry permit and one original photo ID: Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence, PAN, government employee card, passport or student ID.
- Foreign nationals should carry their passport.
- The ID must match the details on the permit.
Late arrival: a full-vehicle permit stays valid for one hour after the scheduled entry time, and a single-seat permit for 30 minutes. After that it's cancelled.
Rules inside the park
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Leaving the vehicle in the core | Strictly prohibited. Only safaris on designated routes are allowed |
| Phones | Allowed on the MP side, but kept on silent |
| Feeding or teasing animals | Prohibited |
| Clothing | Avoid bright colours. Wear warm layers from November to February |
| Plants and streams | Don't touch plants, eat leaves or fruit, or drink from streams |
| Cameras | Still and video cameras are free on regular safaris |
What to carry
- Your permit and the original ID used to book it
- Warm layers from November to February. January mornings can drop to near freezing
- Neutral clothes, a cap, sunglasses and a scarf for dust
- Water, binoculars and a camera (free to use on regular safaris)
Frequently asked questions
What are the Pench safari timings?
On the MP side for 2026–27, morning drives run 6:00–11:30 am in October and November, 6:20–11:30 am in December and January, 6:10–11:30 am in February and March, and 5:30–11:00 am from April to June. Afternoon drives start at 3:00 pm (3:30 pm from April) and end between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. The Maharashtra side follows the state's standard timings.
Is Pench closed on Wednesday?
On the MP side, afternoon safaris are closed every Wednesday, and also on Holi and Diwali. Morning drives run as normal. On the Maharashtra side each gate has its own weekly holiday: Sillari on Wednesday, Khursapar on Tuesday and Chorbahuli on Monday.
When is Pench closed for the monsoon?
The core zones of both states close from 1 July to 30 September and reopen on 1 October.
How much does a Pench safari cost?
On the MP side, a full core Gypsy works out to roughly ₹10,100 on weekdays and ₹10,700 at weekends for Indian visitors, including the permit, the compulsory guide and the Gypsy. Maharashtra-side Gypsies cost less, roughly ₹7,200–7,700. These are approximate current totals, confirmed at booking.
How far in advance can I book a Pench safari?
MP permits open on MPOnline 120 days ahead. Current permits are also sold at the Turia, Karmajhiri and Jamtara gates: for the next morning between 6 and 8 pm the evening before, and for the same afternoon between 9 and 11 am.
Are phones allowed on a Pench safari?
On the MP side, phones are allowed but must be kept on silent. Still and video cameras are free to use on regular safaris.
Do children need a permit in Pench?
On the MP side, children up to 5 years old are exempt from the entry fee. A Gypsy carries a maximum of six guests, excluding the driver and guide.
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