Fast facts

About Simlipal National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sundarbans is located south of Kolkata and spreads over 54 islands and stretches to Bangladesh. Sundarbans is the world's largest delta, which is formed by the merger of three rivers-the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna. The Sundarbans wildlife sanctuary spread over an area of 2,585 square kilometres. The area came under the Project Tiger in 1973 and later the core area of 1,330 square kilometres was declared the national park and world heritage site.

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Popular for its tigers, Sundarbans is equally known for its large mangrove forests. The Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a number of wild animals like spotted deer, monkeys, wild pigs, herons, white bellied eagles and kingfishers. According to one estimate the Sundarbans is home to some 270 Royal Bengal Tigers.

Sundarbans is also home to a number of estuarine crocodiles, olive Ridley turtles, Ganges dolphins and fish.

Sundarbans is an ideal place for ornithologists and bird watchers. Sajnekhali is a perfect place to enjoy bird watching. There are a number of water birds in the Sajnekhali bird sanctuary. Some of the birds are Asian openbill stork, greater adjutant stork, black-necked stork, white-collared kingfisher, white ibis, swamp francolin, black-capped kingfisher and brown-winged kingfisher. The area has number of watchtowers, which are ideal points to enjoy bird watching.

Netidhopan is another exciting area in the Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary. The area is famous for barking deer and Olive Ridley Turtles. Kanak is the area where you can watch Olive Ridley Turtles, which is breeding place for turtles.

Around Simlipal National Park

Kolkata, the cultural city of India is the place to visit, on your wildlife tour to Sundarbans. There are a number of places in and around Kolkata that you can include in your itinerary.

Travel Tips

You can enjoy a boat through Sundarbans outside the sanctuary. However, you require permits to visit the estuarine delta area. Permits can be obtained from the office of Field Director, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, Port Canning, 24 Parganas. Foreigners can obtain permits from the office of the Forest Department in the Writer's Building in Kolkata.

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Climate

Summers are hot and winters are cold in the region. Temperature can touch 42°C during summer and can dip to 9.2°C during winter. December to February is the best time to visit Sundarbans.

How To Reach

Kolkata is the nearest airport, which is about 131 kilometres from Sundarbans. Kolkata is also well connected by rail and road with other parts of the country. From Kolkata you can take train to Port Canning, which is the nearest railhead to Sundarbans.

Accommodation is available at Sajnekhali, where you can stay at tourist lodge. Lodge offers basic facilities and don't expect all modern day comforts that are easily available at a hotel. Accommodation is also available outside the park at Piyali and Bakkhali.

Wildlife India Tours offers complete information on wildlife in India. There are a number of wildlife tour packages on offer from Wildlife India Tours. To book wildlife tour package in India or a wildlife tour to Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary, all you have to do is just fill up the form given below.