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 ParksForested Hills Along the Godavari
Andhra Pradesh
Image: Pranayraj1985 / CC BY-SA 4.0Welcome to Papikonda 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
Confirm current forest permissions and legal Godavari boat routes with Andhra Pradesh forest/tourism channels before booking.
This link opens Booking.com, a third-party site.
Access can involve long road travel, boat boarding, heat, and uneven riverbank terrain. This is not a highly accessible park without careful private arrangements.
Papikonda National Park protects a large Eastern Ghats landscape around the Papi Hills and the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. The park grew out of the Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary and is recognized for forested hills, river gorges, Important Bird Area value, and species such as leopard, sloth bear, deer, gaur, and rich birdlife.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Best Season (Oct - Mar) | Daylight visits by permission | Return before dusk |
Forest and river access must be confirmed locally. Visitor activity is not structured like a typical jeep safari park.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry/Permit | As notified by Andhra Pradesh Forest Department |
| Boat/Guide/Transport | Varies by approved route and operator |
Confirm current legal boat routes and forest permissions before paying third-party operators.
Papikonda National Park, Papi Hills and Godavari region, Andhra Pradesh
17.8400° N, 81.6700° E
Rajahmundry Airport is the most practical gateway for many Godavari-side approaches.
Rajahmundry is a major railhead; local access depends on the chosen route.
Road access varies through Rajahmundry, Polavaram, Rampachodavaram, and nearby Godavari-side settlements.
Use authorized boats and local transport only after confirming current forest and river permissions.
Moist deciduous and dry deciduous Eastern Ghats forest, riverine vegetation, bamboo, teak, Terminalia, and mixed hill forest.
The park supports large mammals, reptiles, riverine and forest birds, and species dependent on the Godavari hill-forest mosaic.
Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1978 and later upgraded to national park status in 2008.
