Now experience cycle safaris at Pench Tiger Reserve
Visitors to Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra will now be able to experience something called cycle safari. Till now, Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve only had jeep and canter safaris. Cycle safari is a great addition as it will add to the adventure factor and is beneficial for the environment too.
As of now, this new attraction has been added to the Kolitmara range in West Pench. The cycle safari will be on the Kolitmara to Kunwara Bhivsen stretch. This stretch is 48 km long and it takes visitors through the forested areas of Narhar, Banera and Chargaon.
But Pench is a tiger reserve. Isn’t a cycle safari dangerous?
Pench Tiger Reserve is popular not only for the tiger, but also for other animals like leopards and sloth bears. But visitors need not worry about the cycle safari. It’s not the same as the core areas of the reserve. The Kolitmara range is pretty peaceful, scenic and perfect for activities like cycling.
If visitors bring their own cycles, they will be charged INR 100 per person as safari fees. However, if visitors are hiring cycles from the Pench Tiger Reserve, it will cost them INR 300 per day per person. The cycle safari group will comprise two to six persons per group. An experienced guide will be assigned, which will cost the group INR 1000 as guide fees.
The cycle safari started with a bang on August 20,2023, where around 80 participants took part in the event. The participants were of all age groups.
The cycle safari is a great way to explore and experience the beauty of nature at Pench. The safari route will take visitors through some of the best landscapes in the region. Cycle through pretty forests and valleys. We often feel bad about jeep safaris and how they have an impact on the pristine forests. But with these, one can now go for the eco-friendly option.
Right now is the monsoon season and the forests are exceptionally pretty this time of the year. Pench is a dense forest and all along, visitors will be able to enjoy the woodland and several species of birds.
Kolitmara is one of the most scenic spots in the reserve. The site is located right on the banks of the Pench River. So one can also expect some aspects of river tourism.