My first safari trip in India had one main purpose: to experience the forest and, if possible, see a tiger. I travelled from Delhi to Nagpur by train and arrived at around 9:30 am. From Nagpur Railway Station, I took a pre-booked private SUV to the Turia Gate area of Pench. The 90–100 km journey took about 2–3 hours.
After reaching the Jungle Camp, checking in and having lunch, I prepared for my first evening safari through Turia Gate. I hoped to see a tiger, but the safari taught me to notice the smaller details and enjoy the forest even without a tiger sighting. The journey, stay, food, safari and conversations after the safari all became important parts ojf my first Pench experience.
I left Delhi for Nagpur, excited because this was going to be my first visit to Pench. When I arrived in Nagpur at about 9:30 in the morning, I collected my luggage and headed out of the railway station. My privately hired SUV was waiting for me.
The distance from Nagpur to Pench is approximately 100 kilometres, and the journey takes about 2–3 hours. It was a pleasant drive, and the road was fairly smooth. As we travelled further away from Nagpur, the surroundings gradually began to change.
During the journey, I noticed wildlife-related structures along the route, including elevated wildlife corridors designed to help animals cross areas where vehicles travel. Seeing these structures made me think about how roads and transport can affect wildlife and how measures like these can help animals move more safely.
The biggest change, however, was in my own attention. In the city, I usually want to reach my destination as quickly as possible. During this drive, I started looking out of the window more often. I noticed trees, open land, changing views and small details along the road.
This was my first lesson from the trip. My Pench experience did not start at the safari gate. It started during the journey itself.
I realised that a wildlife trip requires a slower pace. Instead of checking how much time was left before reaching Pench, I started enjoying what I could see along the way.
I reached Pench Jungle Camp in the afternoon. After the road journey, it was comfortable to arrive at the resort. The staff welcomed me warmly and offered me a welcome drink.
The check-in process was quick, so I did not have to wait long. Soon, I was taken to my cottage, which was surrounded by trees and greenery. The setting felt very different from the city environment I had left behind.
By then, I was hungry. After putting my luggage in the room and resting for a short while, I went to the dining area for lunch.
The lunch was simple and satisfying. I had hot chapati, dal tadka, jeera rice, paneer and a local vegetable dish. After travelling for several hours, the warm and freshly prepared food felt very comforting.
The lunch also made me think differently about a wildlife holiday. Before visiting Pench, I had mainly thought about the safari. I had not considered how much the accommodation, food and service could contribute to the overall experience.
The resort helped me understand that a wildlife holiday is not only about the few hours spent inside a safari vehicle. The accommodation, food, staff and conversations also form part of the experience and make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
After lunch, I had some free time before the safari. I rested for a while and then started getting ready for my evening drive into the forest.
My safari was from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm through Turia Gate in the core zone. The weather was pleasant, with the afternoon heat beginning to ease and a cool breeze moving through the forest.
I entered an open safari vehicle with an experienced driver and an authorised naturalist guide. Before we went deeper into the forest, the guide asked everyone to remain quiet. I understood why once we started observing the forest and looking for signs of animal activity.
Dense bamboo patches and Kulu trees appeared around us, their pale bark standing out against the greenery. Kulu trees are also known as Ghost Trees because of their pale bark. The forest looked very different from the places I normally see during my daily city commutes.
Later, we reached a small waterhole, where many chital, or spotted deer, were grazing nearby. We also noticed sambar deer in the same area, adding to the activity around the water.
At that point, I mainly wanted to see a tiger, like many first-time safari visitors. I had entered the forest hoping for a big-cat sighting that day.
Suddenly, langurs in the trees began making alarm calls, and the guide became more alert. Their calls can indicate that they have noticed a predator or another possible threat nearby, although we could not locate the cause of the alarm. Still, the animals had changed their behaviour, showing us that something could be happening nearby.
I began to understand that wildlife watching involves much more than simply waiting for an animal to appear. Sounds, tracks, movements and animal behaviour can all provide clues about what is happening around you. The forest follows no visitor schedule. We can plan our safaris, but we cannot control wildlife sightings.
This changed my expectations. A safari is about observing the forest, not simply finding one particular animal.
The langur alarm calls put everyone in the safari vehicle on alert. The driver moved carefully while the guide continued watching the surroundings. We all looked towards the bushes, hoping to understand what had caused the alarm.
We did not see the predator.
However, we found what the guide identified as fresh leopard pugmarks on the ground, suggesting that a leopard had passed through the area recently. I did not see the leopard itself, but seeing its footprints was still an interesting part of the safari.
I also did not see a tiger during my evening safari.
At first, I felt that not seeing a tiger might make the safari less successful. However, I soon realised that a visit to Pench National Park is about much more than tiger sightings. By the end of the drive, I no longer felt that way.
I had already seen a large group of chital and sambar deer. I had watched langurs giving alarm calls and seen leopard pugmarks. I also observed birds such as the crested serpent eagle and the greater racket-tailed drongo.
These sightings helped me understand that wildlife observation is about much more than waiting for one animal to appear.
A tiger may be the most exciting sighting for many visitors, but it is not the only thing worth noticing. A bird on a branch, a herd of deer behaving differently or langurs giving alarm calls can also tell us something about what is happening in the forest.
I also learned to be patient.
If I had decided that the safari was successful only if I saw a tiger, I would have missed the value of everything else I experienced during those three hours.
My biggest lesson was simple: a jungle safari does not guarantee an animal sighting. It gives visitors the opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural surroundings.
That changed how I understood the entire safari experience.
After the safari ended, I returned to the camp. I was tired after travelling and spending several hours inside the forest, but I was also thinking about everything I had seen.
Later that evening, I sat near the garden area and spoke with other travellers staying at the resort. Everyone had different expectations and different experiences of wildlife trips. Some people talked about animal sightings, while others discussed guides, safari routes, photography and memorable moments from their travels.
These conversations gave me another useful perspective.
People can visit the same destination and return with very different memories. One person may remember seeing a tiger. Another may remember a bird, a group of deer, a particular part of the forest or an interesting conversation with a guide.
I then had dinner at the resort. The meal was lighter than lunch and included local dishes and soups. After dinner, I went to my room because I had to leave early the next morning.
I woke up at around 5 am. After getting ready and checking out, I started my return journey to Nagpur.
During the drive back, I had time to think about the previous day. The most important part of the trip was no longer whether I had seen a tiger. I was thinking about the complete experience: travelling to Pench, staying at the resort, eating local food, listening to the guide, watching deer, hearing langur alarm calls, seeing leopard pugmarks, observing birds and speaking with other travellers.
The return journey helped me understand that a good wildlife trip should not be measured only by the number of animals seen.
I learned some practical lessons from my first safari in Pench that I would apply on future visits.
For instance, I would manage my expectations and not visit Pench with the assumption that I had to see a tiger. Tiger sightings depend on factors such as animal movement, weather, season, location and luck.
I would also be more selective about what I wear. I would opt for earthy colours such as olive green, khaki and brown rather than brighter colours. I would also carry a jacket, particularly for an early morning safari, when temperatures can be lower.
If I had the time, I would make an effort to experience both morning and evening safaris. Animal activity can vary between safari slots depending on the circumstances.
I would also book my safari well in advance, especially if I were visiting during a busy season.
I would pay close attention to what the naturalist and driver were saying, as their knowledge could help me notice things I might otherwise have missed.
Above all, I would keep quiet and be patient. My first safari in Pench showed me that it is not necessary to see a tiger for the trip to be meaningful.
If I return to Pench, I will still hope to spot a tiger, but I will not use a tiger sighting as the sole measure of a successful safari. I will also pay attention to the birdlife, animal behaviour, sounds and other details around me.
That is the most important lesson I learned from my first jungle safari in Pench.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world on her blog "In Africa and Beyond". Although she has been to 53 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
