The engine hummed to life in Mumbai’s pre-dawn haze, and all of us piled into the Kia Carnival, which was going to be our ride for the 900 KM quest to Pench National Park. With bags, binoculars, and a cooler, the MPV’s gracious space swallowed it all. Second row seats slid back, creating somewhat of a lounge like environment. No elbow wars, just room to breathe as highways unspooled toward Aurangabad.
First Halt: Aurangabad’s bustling lanes, alive with sizzle and spice. We devoured some sabudana vadas, crisp and tangy, followed by fiery misal pav under flickering streetlights. The Carnival’s powered doors glided open, cool AC washing over us like a sigh. Refreshed, we pressed on, the diesel’s steady pull lulled us into comfort. Ventilated seats hugged my back through the heat, and ambient lights casted a soft glow as night fell.
Pench welcomed us with dust-kissed trails, the Carnival’s clearance plowed through ruts to our eco-resort. Then, dawn broke, and safari jeeps rumbled out. Heart pounding, we crept through teak groves where we finally saw what we were so excited for, a leopard. Muscles rippling under tawny fur, jaws locked on a fresh chital kill, blood dripped from its mouth, eyes fierce and unblinking 20 meters away. The air thickened with the peculiar tang of the hunt, we could see vultures gazing from above, being patient for their time to feast. Time froze in that primal stare-down.
Deeper into Turia Range, the Wainganga River glistened. A tigress showed from the reeds, two cubs tumbling at her heels. She paused, ears flicking our way, then melted into grass, an orange phantom. Pure awe washed over me, for we were truly into Pench’s wild heart beating raw.
Later, dusk painted the sky crimson as a massive tiger crossed our path. His roar could be heard miles away, echoing off sal trees, sending chills despite the warmth. Gaurs crashed through brush, sloth bears snuffled for berries, dholes yipped in packs, it was as if life pulsed everywhere we looked.
Mid-morning, our guide pulled into a forest clearing for breakfast. Steaming poha, golden puris, and masala chai layed out neatly on a checkered cloth, dew-kissed grass tickling our feet. Langurs almost gossiped overhead, a sambar’s alarm call pierced the quietness. We ate in silence, sunlight filtering through leaves, every bite tasting of earth and adventure. No menus, no rush, just the jungle feeding us like it was meant to.
Between drives, the Carnival became our sanctuary. Its reclining seats and quiet cabin let us nap off the thrill, the panoramic sunroof was our companion all along for starry nights. Wireless charging kept phones buzzing with photos, and the Bose speakers made us delve into the audio we had captured. Space meant gear stayed organized, tripods ready, water bottles chilled. On return legs, adaptive cruise smoothed highways, reducing fatigue all the way.
Aurangabad’s flavors will always linger in our memories, but Pench etched deeper: the leopard, the tigress, that bone-rattling roar. Over 50 species danced before us, hornbills clacking, peacocks fanning emerald trails. The Carnival? It enabled it all, space for nightly dreams, comfort for miles, some sophisticated touches and some effortless tech that faded into the background. From Mumbai’s grind to Pench’s pulse, this trip wove us into the wild’s tapestry.
Moments like these don’t just happen, they unfold when and where the road calls. The Carnival was more than a worthy companion, the 2.2-litre oil burner gave us the best of both worlds, worthy performance with some great fuel economy. Over our 2500 KM expedition, the Carnival returned over 15 KM/L which is quite impressive. Back home, the Carnival idled quietly, a witness to roars and feasts. Pench lingers in my veins, the taste of forest chai, the thrill of eyes in the dark. Next adventure? Already plotting.
