Pench Tiger Reserve feels quieter than the more famous Bhandhavgarh and Kanha National Park, despite being just two hours from Nagpur Airport. Predominantly a teak forest with small areas of open grassland and a meadering river, it makes a nice change from the sal forests found in the other parks in Madhya Pradesh.  The 258 square-kilometre park, with a further buffer zone, sits just to the south of the Satpura Hills and is home to tiger (although not easily spotted), leopard, dhole, civet and close to 200 species of birds. Pench now operates a strict route system on morning and afternoon game drives, that has helped visitor pressure. Located between Tadoba and Satpura, Pench is a great addition to a wildlife trip through central India.