Pench Safari Gates: All MP & Maharashtra Gates Compared (2026)
Quick Answer
Pench has two separately booked sides. Madhya Pradesh has three core gates — Turia (the main gate, 85 km from Nagpur), Karmajhiri and Jamtara — booked on MPOnline. Maharashtra lists eight gates — Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Kolitmara, Khubala, Surewani, Banera, Maudi — with Sillari about 70–75 km from Nagpur. Turia allows 34 vehicles per shift, Karmajhiri 6 and Jamtara 4. The core on both sides closes from 1 July to 30 September.
- MP core gates
- 3
- Maharashtra gates
- 8
- Main gate
- Turia (MP)
- Closest to Nagpur
- Sillari (~70–75 km)
- Booking
- Separate by state
Highlights
- Pick the state first: an MP permit cannot be used at a Maharashtra gate, or vice versa.
- Turia has by far the most vehicles and stays; Karmajhiri and Jamtara are much quieter.
- Maharashtra gates each have their own weekly holiday (Sillari Wednesday, Khursapar Tuesday, Chorbahuli Monday).
- Only buffer safaris run in the monsoon, from Sillari and Surewani on the Maharashtra side.
All Pench Safari Gates Compared
Gates with detailed guides on this site, side by side.
| Gate | State | From Nagpur | Weekly holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turia Gate | Madhya Pradesh | 85 km via Khawasa (reserve FAQ) · about 2 hours | Afternoon safari closed every Wednesday |
| Karmajhiri Gate | Madhya Pradesh | 135 km via Suktara (reserve FAQ) · about 3–3.5 hours | Afternoon safari closed every Wednesday |
| Jamtara Gate | Madhya Pradesh | Usually reached via Chhindwara rather than Nagpur | Afternoon safari closed every Wednesday |
| Sillari Gate | Maharashtra | About 70–75 km · around 1.5 hours | Wednesday |
| Khursapar Gate | Maharashtra | About 85–90 km from Nagpur airport | Tuesday |
| Chorbahuli Gate | Maharashtra | Reached from NH44, the same side as Sillari and Khursapar | Monday |
| Kolitmara Gate | Maharashtra | Reached via Parseoni and Saoner, not the NH44 side | Check the gate’s published holiday when booking |
Pench MP Gates and Vehicle Quotas
MP permits and gate rules belong to the Madhya Pradesh system. A stay near Turia is not automatically convenient for Karmajhiri or Jamtara.
| Gate | Vehicles per shift | Vehicles per day |
|---|---|---|
| Turia | 34 | 68 |
| Karmajhiri | 6 | 12 |
| Jamtara | 4 | 8 |
| Buffer (Rukhad, Telia) | 15 | 30 |
Pench Maharashtra Gates
Use the Maharashtra forest department’s current gate information. Gate openings and monsoon access differ from the MP side and may change. The official reserve lists eight gates: Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Kolitmara, Khubala, Surewani, Banera, Maudi.
- Sillari — Paoni buffer, the road towards Totladoh dam; weekly holiday: Wednesday.
- Khursapar — Maharashtra-side Pench forest bordering the MP reserve; weekly holiday: Tuesday.
- Chorbahuli — Undulating teak forest of the Chorbahuli range; weekly holiday: Monday.
- Kolitmara — West Pench forest and the Pench–Totladoh catchment; weekly holiday: Check the gate’s published holiday when booking.
- Khubala — see the official portal for current operations.
- Surewani — see the official portal for current operations.
- Banera — see the official portal for current operations.
- Maudi — see the official portal for current operations.
Which Pench Gate Is Best?
There is no permanent best gate; tiger territories change every season.
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| The classic Pench experience and most stays | Turia (MP) |
| Fewer vehicles in the MP core | Karmajhiri or Jamtara |
| The shortest drive from Nagpur | Sillari or Khursapar (Maharashtra) |
| A safari in the monsoon | Buffer safari from Sillari or Surewani |
| Agro-tourism or adventure add-ons | Kolitmara (Maharashtra) |
Pench Jeep Safari Cost by Side
Approximate totals per Gypsy for Indian visitors, including permit, guide and vehicle.
| Side | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| MP core: Indian visitors | ₹10,100 | ₹10,700 |
| MP buffer: Indian visitors | ₹8,500 | ₹8,500 |
| Maharashtra side: Indian visitors | ₹7,200 | ₹7,700 |
Closures
Published closures across Pench:
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many safari gates does Pench have?
Three core gates on the MP side (Turia, Karmajhiri, Jamtara) plus buffer gates, and eight listed gates on the Maharashtra side (Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Kolitmara, Khubala, Surewani, Banera, Maudi).
Which is the best gate in Pench for tiger sighting?
Turia is the busiest and most popular gate, with the most vehicles and stays. Karmajhiri and Jamtara are far quieter. Territories change each season, so combining gates gives the best odds.
Which Pench gate is closest to Nagpur?
Sillari on the Maharashtra side, about 70–75 km. Turia (MP) is 85 km via Khawasa.
Is Pench open in the monsoon?
The core on both sides is closed from 1 July to 30 September. On the Maharashtra side, buffer safaris run from Sillari and Surewani during the monsoon.
Can I use an MP permit at a Maharashtra gate?
No. The two sides are separate reserves with separate booking systems.
Gate-by-Gate Guides
Madhya PradeshTuria Gate Safari GuideRead guide 
Madhya PradeshKarmajhiri Gate Safari GuideRead guide Madhya PradeshJamtara Gate Safari GuideRead guide 
MaharashtraSillari Gate Safari GuideRead guide 
MaharashtraKhursapar Gate Safari GuideRead guide MaharashtraChorbahuli Gate Safari GuideRead guide MaharashtraKolitmara Gate Safari GuideRead guide 30,000+
Travellers have explored the wild with us across India.
4.9 / 5
Rated across TripAdvisor and Google reviews.
Naturalist-led
Safaris planned around official gates, seasons and permits.
24/7 on-trip help
We are reachable before, during and after your trip.
Sources & References
Facts on wildlife and visitor access can change. These are the principal references for this page; always confirm current permits and rules with the responsible forest department.
Photo Credits
Photos without a credit below are by Wild Excursions. The rest come from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown.
- Entrance barrier of Pench Tiger Project for Sillari gate and Totladoh dam — Nitin Bhagwate, CC BY 3.0
- Tigress walking across open ground in Karmajhiri, Pench — Fitindia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Chital stag among teak trunks in the Turia core zone of Pench — Shaswat Nimesh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Safari tracks winding through teak forest in Pench Tiger Reserve — Drashokk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pench Tiger Reserve emblem on a stone wall, Madhya Pradesh — Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0
- Straight teak trunks lining a red-earth trail in Pench National Park — Minku2016, CC BY-SA 4.0
Not sure which Pench gate to book?
MP or Maharashtra, Turia or Karmajhiri — tell us your dates and we will match the gate, book the permits and arrange the stay.
Explore More
Wildlife Encyclopedia