5 Must-Visit Best Wildlife Sanctuary In Odisha

The coastal state of Odisha has indeed a lot to offer its tourists, which includes the beaches, ruins, temples and wildlife. The number of people undertaking an Odisha tour is gradually increasing with each passing year because of its varied diversity and history.

The faunal diversity of Odisha attracts wildlife lovers throughout the year from all over India. Numerous wildlife sanctuaries scattered all over the state has helped a great deal in conserving the rich species of fauna. If you are also undertaking an Odisha tour and willing to soak in the beauty of its wildlife, you must consider visiting these 5 wildlife sanctuaries in your tour itinerary.

Wildlife Sanctuary You Must Visit During Your Wildlife Tour In Odisha

Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary

5 Must-Visit best Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha

Salt water crocodile as seen at Bhitarkanika

Your wildlife tour would be incomplete without a trip to Bhitarkanika National Park and Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. The place is a serene creation, situated in Kendrapara district. Besides Bhitarkanika National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary also forms part of this biodiversity.

One of the main benefits of visiting this famous wildlife sanctuary is that you don’t have to worry about your accommodation. There are numerous hotels in Bhitarkanika. These hotels and resorts are scattered all over Bhitarkanika. They offer perfect blend of nature and modernity.

Estuarine Village Resort Bhitarkanika is one of the best, or, probably the best.

Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary

5 Must-Visit Wildlife Sanctuaries In Odisha

The speciality of this wildlife sanctuary is the presence of a significant number of elephants. This wildlife reserve in Chandaka has been designated specially to elephants. They have been quite successful in conserving elephants here. You can also enhance the enjoyment quotient of your trip by climbing the watch towers during the day-time and watch the animals in their natural habitat.

Elephants at Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary

Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary

5 Must-Visit best Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha

The wide variety of fauna found in this sanctuary attracts numerous visitors all over the year. It is situated at a distance of around 40 kms from Sambalpur district. A visit to this wildlife sanctuary will let you catch a glimpse of the bison and the sambar. The Flying Squirrels and Racket Tail Drongos are two of the major types of fauna.

Watch towers are installed in the sanctuary to help tourists enjoy a better view of the forest and the animals residing there. Just make sure you get the permit card from the Forest Range Officer.

Simlipal National Park

5 Must-Visit best Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha

Indian elephants at Simlipal National Park

Simlipal is situated in Mayurbhanj district in Odisha.  Spread over 2,750 Square Kilometer, Simlipal is a part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve. This includes three protected areas—Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary Simlipal National Park derives its name from the abundance of red silk cotton trees growing in the area.

The national park features two impressive waterfalls – the towering Barehipani Falls, reaching a height of 217 meter, and the majestic Joranda Falls, cascading from a height of 181 meter.

The Government of Odisha declared Simlipal as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979. Government of India declared Simlipal as a biosphere reserve in 1994. UNESCO added this national park to its list of Biosphere Reserves in May 2009.

Satkosia Tiger Reserve

5 Must-Visit best Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha

Part of gorge within Satkosia Sanctuary

Satkosia Tiger Reserve was created in 2007, by joining the Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjacent Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located where the Mahanadi River passes through a 22km long gorge in the Eastern Ghats mountains. Mammals found in Satkosia Tiger Reserve include leopard, Indian wild dog or the (dhole), wild boars, striped hyena, sloth bear, leopard cat and the jungle cat.

Major herbivores in Satkosia include Asian elephants, which can often be seen crossing rivers, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, langurs, porcupines and pangolins. Reptiles found here include the Mugger Crocodile and gharials. Other reptiles include Indian python and squirrels. Tigers are not here any more. Plans are afoot to translocate tigers from other parks.

Since you are now aware of the famous wildlife sanctuaries you can include in your trip itinerary, it’s time you visit a famous National park in Odisha and create some memories which you can cherish for the rest of your life.

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