Sundarbans National Park is a national park, biosphere reserve, and a tiger reserve located in West Bengal. It is a major part of the Sundarbans mangrove area on the delta formed by the conflux of the Ganga, Meghna and the Brahmaputra rivers. It spans across an area of about 1330 square kilometres of the mangrove forest land. Part of the national park also falls under the Sundarbans Reserve Forest in Bangladesh. This national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and it has been in existence since the 1900s.
The Sundarbans is home to a number of exotic flora and fauna notable among them being salt-water crocodiles and the Bengal Tiger. In fact, Sundarbans is the largest reserve of Bengal Tigers. The national park is a living and breathing example of India’s rich ecosystem and a tour through Sundarban forest will give you a glimpse of the vast variety of endangered as well as exotic species of animals that inhabit here.
Best Time To Visit Sundarbans
Winters are the best months and that is why September to March is the best time to visit the Sundarbans. The weather is excellent and apart from seeing the animals, you can also spot a few migratory birds. The summers are hot and keep the inhabitants hidden deep inside the forest area while the monsoons with its generous showers make it impossible to travel for the tourists who visit this place.
How to Reach the Sundarban Forest from Kolkata?
The Sundarbans forest is one of the top spots for excursions and safaris both from Dhaka as well as Kolkata as it is shared between both the countries. Here’s a list of how to reach Sundarbans National Park via air, train, buses and other modes.
- Reaching Sundarbans by air: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport in Kolkata is the nearest airport to Sundarbans, located at a distance of 129kms. A 3-hour cab ride will get you to the mangrove forest.
- Reaching Sundarbans by train: Sealdah Railway Station is the nearest station to Sundarbans as there is no direct train here. You will have to reach Canning from Kolkata (65kms) and then take any of the local trains from Canning to Sundarbans.
- Reaching Sundarbans by road: From Kolkata, you will have to reach either Namkahan (105kms), Sonakhali (100kms), Najat (92kms) or Raidighi (76 km) and then further book a motorboat ride from any of these points to the Sundarbans.
- Timings of Sundarbans forest: The forest area is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays. Sunday is closed.
5 Reasons Why You Must Visit the Sundarbans National Park
1. Sundarban Weather & View
Sundarban forest witnesses largely varying weather conditions in the summers, monsoons and winters. The average temperature in summers can soar as high as 42°C while in the monsoons it hovers between 25°C and 35°C. The best time, however, is the winters where the temperatures range between 10°C and 30°C, making it the perfect time to explore this amazing Sundarban park.
You can also enjoy an incredible view of the park from the Netidhopani Watchtower. It is strategically located in the park giving stunning views of the entire Sundarbans National Park. From certain angles of the towers, you may even get to view the Bengal tigers.
2. Boat Safari
A Boat safari in the Sundarban National Park is something every tourist and nature enthusiast must experience. Boat rides begin from 8:00 AM and go on till 4:00 PM. During the peak season, boating is extended till 6:00 PM. Post that time, no boats are allowed to enter the forest. You can enjoy a wonderful ride down the various tributaries and watch the birds, enjoy nature and, if you’re lucky, spot a Bengal Tiger or a migratory bird.
3. Rich Flora and Fauna
The Sundarbans is the largest reserve for the Sundari trees and the Bengal tigers. The forest cover is rich and dense with mangroves. It is home to innumerable animals and birds such as the spotted deers, water hens, Olive Ridley turtle, King Crabs, wild boars, salt-water crocodiles, giant lizards, alligators, and jungle fowls. If you venture near the waters in the Bangladesh part of this forest cover, you can also witness the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and electric rays.
4. Bird Watching
If you visit the Sundarban National Park in the months of January and February, you might be lucky enough to spot migratory birds. Each year, due to favourable climatic conditions, thousands of birds from far away places fly for miles to get to this forest reserve. At the park, you can spot eastern knots, Caspian terns, marsh harriers, wood sandpipers and plenty of other species of birds.
5. For a Much Needed Break
The wilderness and vastness of this incredibly beautiful and rich mangrove area can be experienced only when you visit it in person. Far away from the chaos of the city, you get a chance to be one with nature and witness all the elements in their natural abode. Spread over a lavish 1330 km2 the Sundarbans National Park is the best getaway from Kolkata that you can visit. In the park, there are various islands, rivers and open spaces that are ideal for spending time in complete peace and tranquillity.
Accommodation is available at government lodges and there a few resorts located nearby for those who want to spend a few days in the forest.
Sundarbans Tourist Places
Apart from going on a safari ride in the Sundarbans, you can also visit the following places here.
1. Netidhopani
Netidhopani watchtower in Sunderbans offers a spectacular view of the immense forest cover and, if you’re lucky, a glimpse of the Bengal tigers as well. It also offers a view of an ancient Shiva Temple that is present nearby.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry fee: Free
- Pets not allowed
- Photo/Video: Allowed
- Best time to visit: Day time
- Food/restroom facilities: Available
2. Sudhanyakhali Watchtower
Akin to Netidhopani, Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower also offers you the best view of the Sundarbans wildlife. You can spot spotted deer, crocodiles, wild boars and other animals. This watchtower has a capacity to accept up to 25 people at a time.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry fee: Paid
- Pets not allowed
- Photo/Video: Allowed
- Best time to visit: Day time
- Restroom facilities: Available
3. Sajnekhali Watch Tower
Sajnekhali watchtower is popular among tourists owing to its close proximity to various resorts in Sundarbans. It offers a wonderful view of the forest and also lets you spot some exotic birds such as sandpipers, Kingfishers, Pelicans, Curfews and more – indeed a delight for bird watchers and bird lovers. It can also accommodate up to 20 tourists at one go.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry fee: Paid
- Pets not allowed
- Photo/Video: Allowed
- Best time to visit: Day time
- Restroom facilities: Available
4. Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Halliday Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve and is spread across an area of 6km2. It is a wildlife-rich area and tourists can easily spot rhesus macaque, barking deers, wild boars and other animals. Halliday Island is situated close to the Matla River and one can spot a wide variety of fishes in the river.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry fee: Paid
- Pets not allowed
- Photo/Video: Allowed
5. Kanak
Famous for the Olive Ridley Turtles, Kanak in Sundarbans is a sanctuary for these species. These turtles move from the coastal waters to shallow areas to breed. The place also offers a good view of the forest reserve but tourists mainly flock to Kanak for its shallow coastal waters and to get a glimpse of these second smallest species in the turtle family.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry fee: Paid
- Pets not allowed
- Photo/Video: Allowed
- Best time to visit: Day time
6. Piyali River
Piyali is considered as the gateway to the Sundarbans National Park. The Piyali river here flows through fields and confluences with River Matla at the forest area. This river forms a beautiful delta where it flows into the River Matla and the alluring landscape attracts tourists and locals alike.
- Timings: All day
- Entry fee: Free
- Photo/Video: Allowed
- Best time to visit: Day time
7. Bhagabatpur Crocodile Sanctuary
An important tourist destination in the Sundarbans forest area, the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Sanctuary is the only crocodile project in West Bengal. This is famous for being the hatchery of Batagur Baska species of tortoise and estuarine crocodiles. The place also provides an incredible view of the dense mangrove forest, attracting hundreds of tourists each year.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry fee: Paid
- Pets not allowed
8. Hiron Point
Among the various Sundarban tourist places, Hiron Point is another attractive point that you must visit during your visit to Sundarban forest. It is an incredible spot with a brilliant view of the wildlife in the forest including dotted dears, different birds and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry fee: Paid
- Pets not allowed
Tips to Remember When Planning a Trip to Sundarbans National Park
- Foreign Tourists need permits to enter the park. They can get one at the Forest Department at Sajnekhali or the West Bengal Tourism. A valid passport is needed for the permit.
- Entry to the park is Rs60 for Indians and Rs200 for foreigners.
- Always book a guide, the park is huge and access to all parts are not allowed. Guides know the best places to see and what places are restricted.
- Boat cruises cost from Rs.1500-2000 a boat. You can book a boat at the Sajnekhali.
- Carry cash with you, there is a lack of ATMs in and near the national park.
- The Sundarbans National Park is a no-plastic zone, so carrying plastic and polythene bags are strictly prohibited.
- Carry light snacks. In case you get hungry along the way, there are no stalls inside the park. Don’t litter and use the bins provided to throw waste.
- Staying within the Sundarbans National Park/Tiger Reserve area is permitted only from sunrise to sunset – don’t stay past 6:00 PM.
Here is an exhaustive guide to plan your trip to the Sundarbans National Park. If you love to be one with nature and explore wildlife, this place is the best choice for you.
If you wish to know more about the various national parks in our country, check out the following links:
