Bhitarkanika National Park

Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary is located in the estuarial region of Brahmani-Baitarani, in the north-eastern place of Kendrapara district of Odisha. The sanctuary covers an area of 672 square kilometers of mangrove forests and wetland. Crossed by a thick network of brooks, with the Bay of Bengal on the east. This Wildlife Sanctuary is home to vast species of birds, including winter migratory birds from Europe and central-Asia.

It is an unexplored treasure quite pristine mangrove forest with a wildlife sanctuaries for crocodile. You will able to see hundreds of crocodile of various sizes the largest are in few meters. Lots of bird and deer occasionally snake and other animals. 

Considered the second largest mangrove forest in the country after the Sunderbans of bengal. The marshy wetlands at Bhitarkanika are surrounded by three rivers—Baitarani, Brahmani and Dhamra—and have around 60 to 70 varieties of mangroves.

It has one of the largest populations of endangered saltwater crocodile in India and is globally. But, gradually the dwindling number has been improved over period of time by government supported and foreign funded conservation which lead saltwater crocodiles to inhabit the rivers and creeks in the area.

Every year during the winter and monsoon, the park plays host to lakhs of migratory birds like intermediary egret, large egret, grey heron, darter, purple heron and cormorant. Bagagahana and Saribana—considered ornithologist’ paradise—are the spots within the park where the residential and migratory birds can be seen. At Bagagahana, one can easily sight the white bellied sea eagle, an endangered species. 

The Gahirmatha beach within the national park is the largest rookery in Odisha. Around three km away from Gahirmatha is the Dangamal Island, which houses the Captive Breeding & Research Centre for estuarine crocodiles. Here, one can also see India’s only female albino captive white crocodile, Gori. The most unique part is of course of Gahirmatha , where Olive ridley sea turtle comes to nest and lay eggs all the way traveling thousands of mile in the ocean.

Trekking

The Bhitarkanika National Park is a wildlife sanctuary mostly for salt water crocodiles and deer seen in their natural habitat. The boat-ride (costing about Rs.3,500/-) of about 4 to 5 hours on the estuary.

Facilities

Cottage accommodation	Licensed Boating
Toilets	Tour services
Drinking Water	Guide services
Restaurant	Safe Vehicle stand

Flora and Fauna:

This place is mangrove heaven. Over all 70 species of mangroves found here.

The park is home to the saltwater crocodile, Indian python, black ibis, wild boar,  deer, wild dogs, jackals, giant squirrels, rhesus monkey, chital, darter, cobra, monitor lizard, olive ridley turtle etc.

Best Time to reach

The best time to visit bhitarkanika is after October and before March. 

Peak time

The months of December and January are considered to be the best time to visit the place.

Advisory

Obtain entry permit before entering into the park. 

Prepare for Bhitarkanika on an SUV, with rain gear, binoculars and a good camera for sure. Wear sturdy footwear and do not sit on the edge of a boat. You do not want to fall in the crocodile infested waters of Bhitarkanika.

Accommodation/Resort booking

We stayed in the Seven sands resort which is privately owned and close to the national park entrance, but a better and cheaper choice is to book the forest bungalow, which is situated deeper in the forest. You will find deer roaming around in the campus if you stay here.

Attraction/Back water views

We hired a boat for the meandering ride through the mangrove forest and this was memorable! It was serene and calm as we rode through the backwaters, spotting birds, deer, monkeys and numerous Crocs.

They were everywhere – sunbathing on the river bank, swimming in the channel, coming up on the banks, etc.

Do’s

• Obtain entry permit before entering into the park. 
• Always use licensed boat : The boat man is your first guide. 
• Observe perfect silence while moving in the Sanctuary. 
• Keep your eyes and ears open to observe nature at its best. 
• Use biodegradable containers to carry your eatables.
• Carry sufficient drinking water :- you may save somebody’s life. 
• If possible carry a binocular to observe birds and other small animals. 
• Carry torch light while moving at night.
• Obey the rules and regulations of the park.

Tourists From where:

Large no of tourist flocks from nearby districts and states.

This place is a popular destination for foreign tourists.

This is one of the best place for school/college excursion.

Restaurant

Restaurant and small hotels/cafetarias provides lip smacking river fish and crabs as delicacies for lunch .

One can choose a variety of dishes from menu including veg and non-veg foods.

Best to have river and salt water fish and giant crabs.

Transportation

Multiple entry points.

Khola and Gupti are the main entry points where there is direct car access. It is easier to chose this route if you are coming down from Bhubaneswar, 150 km away.

One can reach Bhadrak by train, drive 50 km to Chandbali and take the boat to reach Dangamal in 3 hours.

Tips

1. If you wish to take your car all the way to the forest resort. Here is this route: Bhadrak -Chandikhol-Kendrapara-Pattamundai-Rajnagar-Jarimula-Khola Gate.
2. If you don’t mind parking your car on one side of the river (which your resort can arrange) and crossing the river by boat, you can go via the alternate route – Bhadrak – Asurali – Aradi – Bhitarkanika. 
3. If attempting to reach by train, Bhadrak is still your nearest station after which a car can be arranged (by the resort to in certain cases) to reach using route two above.
4. Our guide (you need a guide to spot animals here) was quite active in spotting and showing us the crocodiles hiding behind the bushes at times. It took us about 4 and a half hours, and we were back just before lunch. This also included an hour of a trek through the jungle (about 2kms) where we expected to see porcupines, king cobras, and wild boars. However, it rained and none showed up. Besides, there was an open space in the jungle which was chilling cold during the rains and we had to turn back soon. There is another longer trek of 5kms and you can attempt this if you have time.