Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksDomain of the Saltwater Crocodile
Odisha
Image: Devopam / CC BY-SA 4.0Welcome to Bhitarkanika National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Book Bhitarkanika nature camps and listed boat/entry services through Odisha's official ecotourism portal where available.
This link opens Booking.com, a third-party site.
All exploration is by boat, which limits accessibility. Boarding and disembarking from boats at muddy jetties requires some agility. The Dangmal area and nature camps are reasonably accessible. Not suitable for visitors with significant mobility challenges in the boat and walking areas.
Bhitarkanika National Park in coastal Odisha is a labyrinth of mangrove-fringed creeks, river channels, and islands at the delta of the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra rivers. The park hosts India's largest population of saltwater crocodiles — with several individuals exceeding 6 meters in length. The adjacent Gahirmatha Beach is the world's largest known rookery for Olive Ridley sea turtles, where hundreds of thousands of turtles arrive for mass nesting (arribada) between January and March. The mangrove forests here are the second largest in India after the Sundarbans, supporting an extraordinarily rich estuarine ecosystem.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Open Season (Sep - May) | 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Boat tours through mangrove creeks |
All exploration is by boat through the creek system. Boats are available at Khola and Dangmal jetties. Full-day boat tours recommended. Dangmal has a crocodile conservation center.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 40 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 400 per person |
| Boat Hire (small) | INR 1,500 - 2,500 per trip |
| Boat Hire (larger) | INR 3,000 - 5,000 per trip |
| Guide Fee | INR 300 per trip (mandatory) |
Boat capacity and type affect pricing. Full-day tours with lunch stops offer the best experience. The Gahirmatha turtle nesting beach requires a separate permit and is often restricted during peak nesting.
Bhitarkanika National Park, Kendrapara District, Odisha 754225
20.7167° N, 86.8833° E
Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (Biju Patnaik International, 150 km). Taxis and buses available from the airport.
Nearest railway stations are Bhadrak (70 km) on the Howrah-Chennai line and Cuttack (130 km).
150 km from Bhubaneswar (3-4 hours) via Chandikhol. Last approach via Rajnagar or Pattamundai. Roads are narrow near the park.
From Rajnagar, boats to the park at Khola or Dangmal jetties. Most nature camps arrange transport and boats.
India's second-largest mangrove ecosystem with over 70 mangrove species. Dominant species include Sundari, Gewa, and Keora. The estuarine mudflats support unique salt-tolerant vegetation.
Over 1,700 saltwater crocodiles — the highest concentration in India. One of the world's largest Olive Ridley rookeries (Gahirmatha). Also hosts Indian pythons, king cobras, water monitors, fishing cats, and over 215 bird species including massive breeding colonies of herons and storks.
Bhitarkanika was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and a national park in 1998. It is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The saltwater crocodile population recovered from near-extinction through a captive breeding program started in the 1970s — from fewer than 100 to over 1,700 today. Gahirmatha beach was declared a marine sanctuary in 1997 to protect the Olive Ridley nesting grounds — the world's largest known rookery.
