Best Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks In Odisha : Witness The Treasure Of Wildlife! (2024)
Odisha is a true delight for people who love to witness wildlife and spend time with nature. The flourishing wildlife and rich natural places found in the state make it one of the best places for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The diverse topography of Odisha serves as an excellent abode for different types of fauna and flora. In terms of forest cover, Odisha is the fourth-largest state in India. Many domestic and foreign tourists visit Odisha to witness and experience the rich wildlife and nature. There are a lot of places that you can visit and watch the wildlife and natural magnificence of Odisha. We have mentioned some of the best wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and places with the natural magnificence of Odisha. Read below to know about these magnificent places.
Best Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Odisha: Witness The Treasure Of Wildlife!
Odisha has numerous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that have many distinctly unique features. These places of wildlife are not only unique for the immense presence of a varied range of fauna but are also a delight for nature lovers. Talk about the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Similipal National Park, Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, or Nandankanan National Park, Odisha is known to astonish every wildlife lover. Read below and check out some of the best wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Odisha.
1. Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (Kendrapara District, Odisha)
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is the most popular wildlife sanctuary in Odisha that is located in the Kendrapada district of the state. Here you can find the largest living reptile. Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the largest saltwater crocodiles, The Indian python, King Cobra, and many other animals. Here you can also witness the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
So, if you are planning to spend quality time amidst wildlife and nature in Odisha then plan a trip to Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. It is ideal for everyone who loves wildlife.
Best Time To Visit: March to June
Location: North-East of Kendrapada district, Odisha, India
How To Reach: Nearest Airport is Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar while the nearest railway station is in Bhadrak.
2. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Sambalpur District, Odisha)
Another amazing wildlife sanctuary in Odisha is the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Sambalpur district. This wildlife sanctuary in Odisha comprises 234 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, 12 amphibian species, 41 species of reptiles, 42 species of fish, 39 odonates species, 85 species of butterflies, and 8 species of spiders. Apart from this, it also has 250 different species of plants that are surely fascinating to witness.
So, if you are planning for a wildlife tour in Odisha, then make sure you visit this wildlife sanctuary and explore the beauty and vastness of fauna and flora here.
Best Time To Visit: November to June
Location: Right Dyke Road, Sambalpur, Odisha, India
How To Reach: The nearest airport is Jharsuguda Airport and the Sambalpur railway station is the nearest railway station.
3. Tikarapada Wildlife Sanctuary (Anugul District, Odisha)
Tikarapada Wildlife Sanctuary is an amazing wildlife sanctuary in Odisha that you should visit at least once when you are in Odisha or when you are planning a wildlife tour in the state. It is situated in the Anugul District in Odisha. This majestic wildlife sanctuary in Odisha is spread around an area of 795. 52 sq. km and is situated on the banks of the Mahanadi River. You can spot Gharial crocodiles at Tikarapada Wildlife Sanctuary. Moreover, you can also find different types of snakes, turtles, and animals like leopards, pangolins, elephants, tigers, and spotted deer in this sanctuary.
The best thing about this wildlife sanctuary in Odisha is that it offers you a great scope to indulge in various adventurous activities like trekking, hiking, boating, river rafting, and fish angling. It will take around 2-3 hours to spend in this sanctuary.
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Location: Tikarapada, Anugul District, Odisha
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar while the closest railway station is in Anugul.
4. Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary (Mayurbhanj District, Odisha)
Odisha is a blessed state in terms of wildlife and nature. Mayurbhanj district in Odisha is a picturesque town and Similipal is known to be one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India. Similipal was once a hunting ground for rulers of Mayurbhanj in the early period. Today Similipal has become one of the major sanctuaries listed under the “Save the tiger project” in India. The area of this wildlife sanctuary is enriched with dense forests, beautiful meadows, startling waterfalls, and amazing rivers.
It is a safe paradise for an infinite number of animals and birds, including spotted deer, langur, elephant, leopard, gaur, flying squirrel, sloth bear mongoose, monitor lizard, turtle, porcupine, antelope, grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Indian pied hornbill, hill mynah, red jungle fowl, Alexandrine parakeet, and Indian trogon.
There is also a wide range of flora in the Similipal Reserve. You can find around 1076 species of plants that belong to 102 different plant families. So, if you love nature and wildlife, this is the perfect place to visit in Odisha.
Best Time To Visit: November to June
Location: Similipal, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha
How To Reach: The Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport while the nearest railway station is in Balasore.
5. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary (Kendrapada District, Odisha)
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapada district is an exclusively marine sanctuary that is home to numerous species of fish. However, it is well known as the largest nesting beach of Olive Ridley Turtles in the world. Thousands of marine lovers visit this sanctuary every year. The Olive Ridley Turtles mate in November and January and during these times, they come out of the coastal waters and can be easily spotted on the beaches. This sanctuary is considered a paradise for turtles and you can find numerous turtles with other adorable creatures on the beach here.
Best Time To Visit: November and January
Location: Kendrapada, Odisha
How To Reach: The closest airport is in Bhubaneswar, while the nearest railway station is in
6. Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Kandhamal, Odisha)
This is another famous wildlife sanctuary in Odisha. It is located in the Baliguda subdivisions of the Kandhamala area. Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in biodiversity and a broad range of animals and reptiles can be found here. Some of the significant species found in this wildlife sanctuary are spotted deer, gaur, sambar, elephant, red fowl, peafowl, and many reptiles. Koagar wildlife sanctuary is also known for being enriched with a variety of vegetation, including thick deciduous woodlands along with grasslands.
With so many varieties of animals, reptiles, and also green trees, Kotagarh wildlife sanctuary is surely a blessed place for people who are attracted to nature and wildlife.
Best Time To Visit: October to April
Location: Baliguda, Kandhamal District, Odisha, India
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar, while the nearest major railway station is in Berhampur.
7. Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary (Nuapada, Odisha)
Extended over an area of 500 sq. km. Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary is a shelter for a wide range of fauna and flora. The wildlife sanctuary is located in Sunabeda in Nuapada District, Odisha. This is also known as the Sunabeda Tiger Reserve and comprises animals like tiger, sloth bear, deer, gaur, langur, rhesus monkey, etc. Interesting species of wild buffaloes can also be found here. Apart from all these animals, one can also spot numerous migratory birds and other birds like Patridge, hill mynah, vultures, and peafowl.
The wildlife sanctuary is also filled with a wide plateau, numerous waterfalls, and canyons. It also has a dam in it. Overall, it is a great place for people who love adventure, nature, beauty, and wildlife.
Best Time To Visit: October to June
Location: Sunabeda, Nuapada District, Odisha, India
How To Reach: Bhubaneswar Airport is the nearest airport and the nearby railway station is at Nuapada Road on the Raipur-Vijayanagaram line of the East Coast Railway
8. Nandankanan Zoological Park (Bhubaneswar)
The Nanadankanan Zoological Park located in Bhubaneswar turned into a wildlife sanctuary in 1979. The magnificent beauty of this place with a great range of animals, reptiles, and birds, makes it one of the most exotic and unique destinations for wildlife and nature lover. The place also offers lion and white tiger safari as well. So, if you are fond of adventure, then this is the right place in Odisha you must visit at least once in your lifetime.
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary is the pioneer in the preservation of Gharials. It has been acclaimed globally for its most elevated assortment of white tigers on Earth. The place is home to many creatures like white tigers, gharials or gladiators, panthers, mouse deer, lions, pangolin, giraffe, Zebra, vultures, and many others. You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours exploring the sanctuary and we assure you that you will have a great time witnessing this astounding place filled with nature and wildlife.
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year
Location: Nandankanan Road, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
How To Reach: Being located in the state capital, Bhubaneswar, Nandankana Zoological Park is pretty easy to reach. The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar itself and the capital city also holds the nearest railway station.
9. Debigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Sambalpur District, Odisha)
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known wildlife sanctuary in Odisha and is known for its wealthy biodiversity. Rich in numerous wild creatures, including animals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and also butterflies, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a home to more than 40 species of mammals, 39 species of odonates, 12 species of amphibians, 42 species of fish, 41 species of reptiles, 234 species of birds, 85 species of butterflies, and 28 species of spiders. You can spot tigers, gaur, bison, bear, jackal, chausingha, wild dogs, elephants, spotted deer, porcupines, hyenas, leopards, wolves, sambar, Indian hares, and various other creatures. Moreover, you can also find many wild birds like peafowl, crested serpent eagle, and diving ducks.
Best Time To Visit: October to February
Location: Right Dyke Road, Sambalpur, Odisha, India
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Jharsuguda, while the Sambalpur railway station is the nearest station for those who prefer traveling via train.
10. Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary (Sambalpur, Odisha)
Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is popularly known as Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the prime destinations in the state for wildlife lovers. This majestic wildlife sanctuary is located at a distance of 22 kilometers from Sambalpur. The Badrama Reserve Forests, Ushkothi Reserve Forests, Binjipali Reserve Forests, and Kansar Reserve Forests come under the region of Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary. This wildlife sanctuary is a habitat for a variety of fauna and flora. Some of the animals found here are tigers, elephants, flying squirrels, leopards, sambar, etc. You can also find a lot of trees including sandalwood, Ajun, neem, casuarinas, and acacia.
Best Time To Visit: October to April
Location: Sambalpur, Odisha, India
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Jharsuguda, while the nearest railway station is in Sambalpur.
11. Chandaka Reserve Forest (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)
Chandaka Reserve Forest, situated on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, is designated as an Elephant reserve. Though the prime attraction of Chandaka is giant Indian Elephants, one can also find a lot of other animals like leopard, barking deer, mouse deer, common langur, chital, rhesus monkey, ruddy mongoose, pangolin, rate, Indian wolf, hyena, sloth bear, small Indian civet, etc.
The Deras Dam is inside the Chandaka Reserve Forest and it is the ideal place to spot several wild animals. There are also watchtowers built inside the reserve from which you can spot wild animals.
Best Time To Visit: October to April
Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
How To Reach: The closest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar and the nearest railway station is also in Bhubaneswar.
12. Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Keonjhar District, Odisha)
If you are fond of spending time amidst nature and witness the beauty of a wide range of flora and fauna, then visit Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Keonjhar district in Odisha. This place is a habitat for many animals like panthers, tigers, jungle cats, hyenas, wolves, pangolins, porcupines, langur, etc. This wildlife sanctuary in Odisha was established in 1978. It is spread over a zone of 191.6 sq. km. A river named The Salandi River goes through the dense forest in this sanctuary and you can spot mugger crocodiles in this river.
With so many amazing animals and natural beauty, this wildlife sanctuary should be one of the best places to visit in Odisha for all nature lovers.
Best Time To Visit: October to February
Location: Keonjhar District, Odisha, India
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar and the closest major railway station is in Bhadrak
