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Pench Safari With Kids: What Should We Expect?

•  Adeeb Sahil
•  May 22, 2025

Pench National Park

Pench National Park is a forest region that is present between two Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in India. It contains numerous tall trees, grasslands, and numerous types of wild animals and birds. This forest gained fame because it was one of the inspirations for the popular book The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. But Pench is not just something to read about in books. It is an actual place that you can visit and enjoy. You can visit with families to see animals freely roaming in nature.

As a parent searching for a great and unique trip for your kids, making a Pench safari booking can be a really good option. A safari at Pench can create memorable moments for your kids. They may get to spot a deer crossing a patch of grass or listen to the sound of a tiger. These are the kinds of memories families carry long after they get back. This article tells you how to plan a Pench safari with children, what you need to take with you, and what awaits you.

Why Pench Is Good For Families

Pench Park is a really great national park in India for families with young children. It is easy to travel in the park. The roads are not too rough. The safari ride is not too long, so the children do not get too tired or bored. The park has many types of animals. You can see monkeys, deer, wild cows (gaur), and maybe even a tiger. There are also many types of birds. This will help children to understand nature in a better way. It is like a live classroom where everything is moving and real. Most parents who made a Pench safari booking say that their kids enjoyed the trip a lot. For many families, a trip to Pench becomes a story they talk about again and again.

How To Plan Your Family Safari

Best Time To Visit

Pench National Park is open from October to June. But the best time for families to go is from November to February. During these months, the temperature is cooler and more pleasant. The forest is green and the animals are active. March to June is very hot. It is good for seeing tigers because they come out to drink water. But it can be too hot for young children, so many families avoid this time.

Safari Options

If you are making a Pench safari booking for your family then the best safari option is the gypsy safari. A gypsy is a small open vehicle that takes 6 people. It is comfortable and private. Your children can sit safely and enjoy the ride. The gypsy can stop whenever the guide sees an animal. Another option is a canter safari. A canter is a big, open bus that carries more people. It can be noisy, and it is harder to hear the guide. It is also less exciting than the gypsy safari. Elephant safaris are very rare in Pench. They are not always available and require special permission. If your child is very young, you can also ask your hotel if they have other wildlife activities near the lodge.

What To Pack

Pack the right things for a safe and happy trip. Some useful items are:

• Hats are very helpful to protect your face and neck from the intense sun.
• Long-sleeved, light clothes to avoid sunburn and insect bites.
• Sunscreen with high SPF.
• Insect repellent for mosquitoes.
• Binoculars (small ones for kids) to see animals and birds from far away.
• Snacks, and water bottles. Avoid plastic if possible.
• A small first-aid kit with band-aids, wipes, and medicine for travel sickness or allergies.

What Happens During The Safari

Seeing Animals

During the safari, you can see many animals. Sometimes they are far, and sometimes very close. You can see a leopard, a monkey, a deer, or even a tiger. But remember, this is a wild forest. There is no guarantee you will see every animal. This helps children learn to be patient and to enjoy nature. Sometimes, the forest is very quiet. You only hear birds, insects, or leaves moving. This quiet moment is also part of the safari experience.

The Safari Guide

Every gypsy has a guide and a driver. These guides know the forest very well. Many of them have lived near the forest for a long time. They can show you animal tracks, call out bird names, and explain what is happening in the jungle. Good guides are friendly with children. They talk in simple language and make the safari interesting for everyone. Kids enjoy it when the guide shows them tiger footprints or teaches them how to listen for animal sounds.

Safety Rules

Pench National Park is very safe for tourists. Only registered vehicles with trained guides are allowed inside. The rules are clear, and safety is taken seriously. Some important safety rules:

• Children must stay seated at all times.
• No one is allowed to get out of the vehicle during the safari.
• Do not feed any animals.
• Do not shout or throw things.

Before the first safari, many lodges also explain the safety rules to families so everyone feels prepared.

How To Keep Children Interested

To keep children happy during the trip, try fun activities. Share simple animal facts, like how a sloth bear can smell from a great distance. Use animal fact cards to make learning fun. Play games like Wildlife Bingo, Sound Safari or draw animals in a sketchbook. These games help children enjoy themselves and learn at the same time. Also, let children take photos using a phone or camera. They enjoy clicking pictures of animals and nature. Use the “burst” mode to take better photos of moving animals.

What To Do After The Safari

After your safari, you can visit nearby villages like Turia and Fulwari. Families can see local life, watch pottery, or enjoy dance shows at eco-resorts. Children can learn about different people and their way of living in Pench National Park. Another good activity is bird-watching. Pench has around 210 kinds of birds. It is best done in the early morning or evening. Some hotels give bird lists and binoculars for kids. Kids like finding different bird species and then learning more about them.