Khursapar Safari Zone is one of the five core zone safari gates on the Maharashtra side of Pench National Park. Located inside the Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary, this zone has quietly built a strong reputation among serious wildlife lovers for its mix of dense forest, open scrubland patches, seasonal waterholes, and consistent big cat activity throughout the safari season.
What makes Khursapar stand out is its forest character. The terrain here is different from both the wide open grasslands of Sillari Gate and the deeply enclosed teak corridors of Khubala Gate. Khursapar sits beautifully in between — varied, layered, and full of wildlife surprises at every turn of the jeep track. One moment you are moving through a cool shaded forest corridor, and the next the trees open into a sunlit clearing where sambar stands alert or fresh tiger pug marks cross the dusty trail ahead.
Most first-time visitors to Pench head straight to Sillari Gate because it is the closest core zone gate to Nagpur. But for returning visitors, wildlife photographers, and anyone who wants a less crowded and more immersive Pench experience, Khursapar Safari Zone is one of the smartest choices on the Maharashtra side of Pench Tiger Reserve.
Khursapar Gate is located on the Maharashtra side of Pench National Park, near Khursapar village in Nagpur district. It is one of the five core zone gates on the Maharashtra side and falls under the Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary area of the reserve.
The gate is conveniently placed between the more popular Sillari Gate and the remote Khubala Gate, making it a well-connected and practical choice for visitors coming from Nagpur and surrounding cities. Distance from major cities and nearby gates:
Khursapar Safari Zone stands out for one simple reason: it gives you the best of both worlds inside a single safari circuit.
The forest inside Khursapar Zone is a rich and productive mix of teak, bamboo, dry deciduous trees, and open scrubland patches. This variety of vegetation creates multiple habitat types within one zone: dense shaded corridors where tigers and leopards rest during the day, open patches where prey like chital and sambar gather, and seasonal waterholes that become the most exciting spots in the forest during summer.
Unlike Sillari where the landscape is more open and wide, Khursapar gives your safari a more layered and textured feel. You move through cool forest corridors, then suddenly emerge into a sun-lit clearing where a sambar herd stands alert, or where fresh tiger pug marks cross the dusty track in front of your jeep.
The zone has a solid and growing record for tiger and leopard sightings, particularly near its waterholes during March to May. With only 15 jeeps allowed per shift — fewer than Sillari's 20 — sightings here feel more personal and less rushed than at the busier gates. For wildlife photographers visiting Pench from Nagpur, Khursapar is particularly valued because it offers both open terrain shots and dense forest shots within the same safari drive — something that is hard to find in a single zone anywhere else on the Maharashtra side.
The mixed forest and varied terrain of Khursapar Zone supports an outstanding variety of wildlife throughout the safari season. Here is what you can expect to see:
Khursapar zone is particularly good for birdwatching during October to February when the forest is lush and bird activity is at its highest across the canopy and open patches of the zone.
The Jhamtara safari route passes through several distinct forest sections and wildlife hotspots where sightings are frequently reported by guides and naturalists.
As summer progresses from March onward, the seasonal waterholes inside Khursapar Safari Zone become the most exciting spots on the entire safari circuit. As water becomes scarce, tigers, leopards, and sloth bears gather around the remaining waterholes, making this period one of the most rewarding times for wildlife sightings in Pench. Ask your guide to plan the safari route around active waterhole locations for the best sighting probability.
The open scrubland areas within the zone are consistently productive for chital, sambar, gaur, and barking deer sightings throughout the day. These transition zones between dense forest and open ground are also where predators hunt, making them worth spending extra time at during morning safaris.
The thick teak and bamboo sections of Pench Khursapar Zone give the safari its most atmospheric and immersive feel. These corridors are where the forest feels truly wild — cool, shaded, and full of sounds that tell you something is nearby even before you see it.
Khursapar Gate operates two safari shifts daily from October to June every year.
Important Notes on Khursapar Safari Timings:
The Khursapar safari zone is open from October to June every year.
By Road from Nagpur:
Khursapar Gate is approximately 75 to 85 km from Nagpur, around 2 to 2.5 hours by road. It is well connected via the Nagpur–Seoni highway and is one of the more accessible core zone gates on the Maharashtra side.
By Train:
The nearest major railway station is Nagpur Junction, well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, and all major Indian cities. From Nagpur station, hire a cab toward Ramtek and proceed to Khursapar Gate.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur. From the airport, Khursapar Gate is approximately 85 to 90 km by road — about 2 to 2.5 hours by taxi.
Khursapar is a popular core zone safari gate in Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra), known for rich wildlife and peaceful safari experiences. It is located inside the Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary and offers a mixed forest habitat with dense teak corridors, open scrubland, and seasonal waterholes.
Khursapar Gate is about 75 to 85 km from Nagpur and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by road via the Nagpur–Seoni highway.
Morning safari runs from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM (winter) and 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM (summer). Afternoon safari runs from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM (winter) and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM (summer). Afternoon safari is closed every Tuesday and on 26th January and 1st May.
Khursapar is a core zone gate located in the Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary on the Maharashtra side of Pench Tiger Reserve.
Yes, tiger and leopard sightings are quite common at Khursapar, especially during summer months from March to May when animals concentrate near seasonal waterholes inside the zone.
The afternoon safari at Khursapar Gate remains closed every Tuesday, on 26th January, and on 1st May every year.
Yes, Khursapar is an excellent birdwatching destination, especially from October to February. The mixed teak, bamboo, and deciduous cover supports a wide variety of forest and grassland birds including Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Crested Serpent Eagle, and many more.
Khursapar is more accessible from Nagpur and has more gypsy slots per shift, while Khubala is quieter with denser forest coverage and is more remote. Khursapar offers a better mix of open and dense habitat in one drive, making it ideal for both wildlife photography and general safari experience.