Karmajhiri Gate, Pench: Safari Timings, Cost & How to Reach (2026)
Quick Answer
Karmajhiri Gate is a core safari gate of Pench MP (Pench National Park), at Karmajhiri, on the Seoni side via Suktara. It is 135 km via Suktara, about 3–3.5 hours from Nagpur. 50 km from Seoni; 195 km from Jabalpur. The forest department allows 6 vehicles per shift (12 a day). Weekly closure: Afternoon safari closed every Wednesday. A Gypsy safari costs roughly ₹10,100–₹10,700 for Indian visitors, and the core is closed from 1 July to 30 September.
- State
- Madhya Pradesh
- From Nagpur
- 135 km via Suktara (reserve FAQ) · about 3–3.5 hours
- Vehicle quota
- 6 vehicles per shift (12 a day)
- Weekly holiday
- Afternoon safari closed every Wednesday
- Safari cost
- ~₹10,100–₹10,700 / Gypsy
Highlights
- Karmajhiri Gate belongs to the Madhya Pradesh visitor system; permits are not interchangeable with the other state.
- Best for: fewer vehicles and a quieter core drive.
- Landscape: Eastern Pench MP forest and meadows.
Karmajhiri Gate at a Glance
Karmajhiri Gate belongs to the Madhya Pradesh visitor system. Useful for travellers prioritising the eastern approach and a different route network.
| Detail | Karmajhiri |
|---|---|
| State and reserve | Pench MP |
| Location | Karmajhiri, on the Seoni side via Suktara |
| From Nagpur | 135 km via Suktara (reserve FAQ) · about 3–3.5 hours |
| Other approaches | 50 km from Seoni; 195 km from Jabalpur |
| Nearest railhead | Seoni or Nagpur |
| Vehicle quota | 6 vehicles per shift (12 a day) |
| Weekly holiday | Afternoon safari closed every Wednesday |
| Monsoon | Core closed 1 July – 30 September |
| Booking | MPOnline (forest.mponline.gov.in), 120 days ahead |
Karmajhiri Gate Safari Timings (2026–27)
Report at least 30 minutes before entry for permit and ID checks.
| Season | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Karmajhiri Gate Jeep Safari Cost
Approximate total per Gypsy for up to six guests, covering permit, guide and vehicle. On the MP side the permit is bought online and the guide and Gypsy are paid at the gate.
| Visitor type | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| MP core: Indian visitors | ₹10,100 | ₹10,700 |
| MP core: foreign visitors | ₹13,500 | ₹14,700 |
How to Reach Karmajhiri Gate
Karmajhiri is a separate entry from Turia and requires its own transport and lodging plan.
From Nagpur: 135 km via Suktara (reserve FAQ) · about 3–3.5 hours. 50 km from Seoni; 195 km from Jabalpur. Nearest railhead: Seoni or Nagpur. Nagpur has the nearest airport.
Resorts Near Karmajhiri Gate
Stays that serve this gate. Confirm the road time to the gate before booking.
| Resort | Category | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Pench Tree Lodge | Luxury | Near Sarrahiri village, about 20 minutes from Karmajhiri gate |
| Karmajhiri Forest Rest House | Deluxe | At Karmajhiri gate (forest department) |
Landscape and Wildlife at Karmajhiri Gate
A quieter eastern approach into the MP reserve landscape.
Expect tiger, leopard, dhole, gaur, sambar, chital, nilgai and wild boar, plus rich birdlife along the Pench River system. A famous recent sighting is not a booking forecast.
How to Book a Karmajhiri Gate Safari
Book on MPOnline under Pench, selecting this gate, or through an authorised operator.
- 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.
- 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.
Safari Rules
Rules enforced on Pench safaris:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Karmajhiri gate safari timings?
Morning and afternoon slots change by season — for example December – January: morning 6:20 am – 11:30 am, afternoon 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Weekly closure: Afternoon safari closed every Wednesday.
How far is Karmajhiri Gate from Nagpur?
135 km via Suktara (reserve FAQ) · about 3–3.5 hours. 50 km from Seoni; 195 km from Jabalpur.
How much does a Karmajhiri gate safari cost?
Roughly ₹10,100–₹10,700 per Gypsy for Indian visitors, including permit, guide and vehicle.
Which state is Karmajhiri Gate in?
Madhya Pradesh. Book it through the MPOnline system.
Which resorts are near Karmajhiri Gate?
Options include Pench Tree Lodge, Karmajhiri Forest Rest House.
Continue Exploring
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.
- Tigress walking across open ground in Karmajhiri, Pench — Fitindia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tiger drinking from a concrete water trough in Karmajhiri, Pench — Fitindia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pench Tiger Reserve emblem on a stone wall, Madhya Pradesh — Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0
- Chital stag among teak trunks in the Turia core zone of Pench — Shaswat Nimesh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Straight teak trunks lining a red-earth trail in Pench National Park — Minku2016, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Indian peacock walking on the forest floor in Turia, Pench — Shaswat Nimesh, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Chital stag with full antlers in Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh — Mayurisamudre, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Safari tracks winding through teak forest in Pench Tiger Reserve — Drashokk, CC BY-SA 4.0
Book a Karmajhiri Gate safari
We book Karmajhiri gate permits, the Gypsy and a nearby stay together. Share your dates for a free quote within 24 hours.
Explore More
Wildlife Encyclopedia