IndiaPenchThe third player in the trio of Madhya Pradesh's most popular national parks, Pench provides a contrasting experience to tiger-dense Bandhavgarh and rambling Kanha. These forests were the inspiration for Kipling’s Jungle Book (all the parks claim it, but in Pench it’s actually true), and you can still find the descendants of Shere Khan, Baloo and Bagheera wandering its woodlands today. Overview Trip ideas Experiences Regions Best time to visit Accommodation Back to all places in Mumbai & Central India Where Kanha and Bandhavgarh consist mainly of sal forest, Pench is mostly teak, making for a slightly different atmosphere and range of wildlife. Uniquely among the parks, it has a big lake at its heart. When the other water sources in the park dwindle over the summer, all you need to do is turn up here and a whole Noah’s Ark of animals might appear. Deer, antelope, gaur, nilgai, boar, hyena – not to mention Indian peafowl, junglefowl, vultures, kingfishers and egrets. Tiger sightings are also pretty good, though not as common as in Bandhavgarh, and you’ve a fair chance of spotting leopards or wild dogs, too.One drawback of Pench (or a plus, depending on your point of view) is that it’s very accessible. Close to Nagpur in Maharashtra, it attracts a lot more domestic tourists than the other Madhya Pradesh's parks, making for a less than peaceful experience – especially on weekends and holidays. At one time there were even swan boat rides on the park’s central lake, which isn’t exactly the naturalist’s dream (thankfully, these are now a thing of the past).If you’re looking for a more secluded experience, you might consider making the journey to Satpura – or you can simply head to the far side of Pench, where there are fewer lodges and more of a sense of local community. Other destinations in this region India AhmedabadGujarat’s biggest city has it all – including World Heritage status – plus a little extra Delhi doesn’t have: a bit of peace and quiet. India Aurangabad, Ajanta & ElloraKnown for their rock-cut temples built over a millennium, the caves of Ajanta & Ellora are among the greatest masterpieces of the ancient world. India BandhavgarhSmaller and busier than Madhya Pradesh's other national parks, Bandhavgarh is hilly, rugged, beautiful – and has the best rate of tiger sightings in India. India BhopalOne of our favourite unsung cities, Bhopal’s lakeside setting, Islamic old town and history of feisty female rulers are just a few of its draws. India BhujMughal palaces and sunbaked desert are the backdrop to laid-back Bhuj, where old-fashioned workshops produce some of the finest textiles in the world. India GwaliorJust a stone’s throw from the Golden Triangle, little-visited Gwalior boasts one of the most ostentatious palaces and the finest pre-Mughal fort in India. India KanhaKanha is absolutely magical. Covering a huge swathe of Madhya Pradesh's highlands with sal forest and grassy savanna, it’s one of our favourite national parks in India. India KhajurahoA collection of World Heritage temples dating back over a thousand years, remarkable for being covered from top to toe in stunningly intricate carvings. India Little Rann of KutchA unique salt desert with diverse wildlife, engrossing local culture, and a history stretching back to the Indus Valley Civilisations. India MaheshwarStay at a converted fort with the descendants of a famous Maratha queen, and enjoy the magic of the Maheshwar countryside's ghats and riverside temples. India MumbaiHome of Bollywood, city of dreams, of haves and have-nots: Mumbai is extreme in every sense, and there’s no better people-watching on Earth. India OrchhaHidden for years in tangled scrub forest, Orchha’s tumbledown palaces, temples and cenotaphs hark back to the heyday of the once-great Bundela clan. Load More