Pench Maharashtra: Safari Gates, Timings, Fees & Stay Guide 2026
Quick Answer
Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, is the southern half of the Pench landscape in Nagpur district, covering 741.22 sq km (core 257.26 sq km, buffer 483.96 sq km). It had 41 tigers in the 2022 estimate. The reserve lists eight tourism gates — Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Kolitmara, Khubala, Surewani, Banera, Maudi — and Sillari is only about 70–75 km from Nagpur. Each gate has its own weekly holiday, and buffer safaris run from Sillari and Surewani in the monsoon.
- Total reserve
- 741.22 km²
- Core / buffer
- 257.26 km² / 483.96 km²
- Tigers (2022)
- 41
- Safari gates
- 8
- Nearest gate to Nagpur
- Sillari, about 70–75 km from Nagpur
Highlights
- The southern Pench reserve in Nagpur district, with eight official tourism gates across core and buffer landscapes.
- Undulating teak-dominated forest, seasonal streams and the Pench–Totladoh catchment connect this reserve ecologically with Pench MP and the wider Central Indian landscape.
- Permits: the Maharashtra Forest Department booking system.
- Approximate jeep safari cost: Indian visitors ₹7,200–₹7,700; foreign visitors ₹8,000–₹8,500.
Pench Maharashtra at a Glance
The southern Pench reserve in Nagpur district, with eight official tourism gates across core and buffer landscapes.
The state boundary changes administration and booking, but it does not divide the ecology of the river, forest or tiger population.
| Detail | Pench Maharashtra |
|---|---|
| Area | 741.22 km² total reserve |
| Core | 257.26 km² |
| Buffer | 483.96 km² |
| Tigers (2022 estimate) | 41 |
| Safari gates | Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Kolitmara, Khubala, Surewani, Banera, Maudi |
| Nearest gate to Nagpur | Sillari, about 70–75 km from Nagpur |
| Booking | Maharashtra Forest Department portal |
Pench Maharashtra Safari Gates
The Maharashtra reserve lists eight tourism gates, each with its own weekly holiday.
| Gate | Weekly holiday | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sillari | Wednesday | About 70–75 km · around 1.5 hours |
| Khursapar | Tuesday | About 85–90 km from Nagpur airport |
| Chorbahuli | Monday | Reached from NH44, the same side as Sillari and Khursapar |
| Kolitmara | Check the gate’s published holiday when booking | Reached via Parseoni and Saoner, not the NH44 side |
| Khubala | Check when booking | See the official portal |
| Surewani | Check when booking | See the official portal |
| Banera | Check when booking | See the official portal |
| Maudi | Check when booking | See the official portal |
Pench Maharashtra Safari Timings (2026–27)
Entry and exit times change with the season. Reach the gate 30 minutes early for permit and ID checks.
| Season | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Pench Maharashtra Jeep Safari Cost
Approximate total per Gypsy (permit, guide and vehicle) for up to six guests. The permit and the vehicle are paid separately at the gate, so totals vary slightly.
| Visitor type | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra side: Indian visitors | ₹7,200 | ₹7,700 |
| Maharashtra side: foreign visitors | ₹8,000 | ₹8,500 |
Pench Maharashtra Closures
Plan around these closures; any zone can also shut without notice for rain or emergencies.
- 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.
Where to Stay in Pench Maharashtra
Use the Maharashtra forest department’s current gate information. Gate openings and monsoon access differ from the MP side and may change.
| Resort | Category | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Resort, Sillari | Semi-Luxury | At Sillari gate, Pench Maharashtra |
| The Restfo Pench Tiger Resort | Deluxe | Pipariya road, Salai, near Sillari |
| MTDC Sillari | Deluxe | Beside Sillari gate |
Wildlife and Conservation
Undulating teak-dominated forest, seasonal streams and the Pench–Totladoh catchment connect this reserve ecologically with Pench MP and the wider Central Indian landscape.
Pench Maharashtra forms a critical southern link with MP Pench and other Central Indian tiger landscapes. Tiger, leopard, dhole, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital and nilgai all occur, along with a rich bird community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tigers are in Pench Maharashtra?
41 tigers in the 2022 all-India estimate.
Which safari gates are in Pench Maharashtra?
Sillari, Khursapar, Chorbahuli, Kolitmara, Khubala, Surewani, Banera, Maudi. Sillari is the closest to Nagpur.
How far is Pench Maharashtra from Nagpur?
Sillari, about 70–75 km from Nagpur.
How much does a jeep safari cost in Pench Maharashtra?
Approximately ₹7,200–₹7,700 for indian visitors, ₹8,000–₹8,500 for foreign visitors, per Gypsy of up to six.
When is Pench Maharashtra closed?
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.
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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.
- Tiger lying in a forest clearing in Pench — Drashokk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Entrance barrier of Pench Tiger Project for Sillari gate and Totladoh dam — Nitin Bhagwate, CC BY 3.0
- Safari tracks winding through teak forest in Pench Tiger Reserve — Drashokk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pair of dholes standing alert in Pench National Park — Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Indian roller perched on a branch in Pench — Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sambar stag at the edge of water in Pench National Park — Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0
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