Simlipal National Park, 320 km from Bhubaneshwar (Orissa), is a 2,750 sq km sanctuary and a Project Tiger Reserve. Situated in the Mayurbhanj district, the park’s hills, waterfalls and dense foliage hide almost 95 tigers and a number of other species of ‘typically’ Indian wildlife: elephants, deer, leopards, gaur bison, sloth bears, reptiles, langurs, crocodiles and more than 200 species of bird life.
Flora And Fauna Simlipal National Park
Fauna : A total of 42 species of mammals, 242 species of birds and 30 species of reptiles have been recorded in Simlipal National Park.
Avifauna : 231 species of birds nest in these forests. Red Junglefowl, Hill Mynah, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, Crested Serpent Eagle are the commonly found bird. The Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Indian Trogon are also found in the reserve.
Mammals : The major mammals include Tiger, leopard, elephant, sambar, barking deer, bison, jungle cat, wild boar, four horned antelope, giant squirrel and common langur.
Best Time To Visit Simlipal National Park
The park is open from November to June. By June, the temperature goes up pretty high- as much as 40ºC- so it’s better not to visit Simlipal at this time. Winters, however, are pleasantly cool; the coldest it gets is about 14ºC.
Entry Requirements to Simlipal National Park
Entry permits for Simlipal have to be collected from the Field Director, Simlipal Tiger Project, Baripada, before you’re allowed to step into the national park. One has to apply at least 10 days (preferably 30 days) in advance to visit the park. The application has to be accompanied by a copy of your passport, if you are a foreigner. Indians have to provide proof of identity to support the information required.
Foreigners have to pay an entry fee of Rs 100; Indians, Rs 5. Cameras have an extra charge levied on them. All applications for entry to Simlipal must be reconfirmed at the Simlipal Park Office (Tel: 06792 52593) at Baripada
How To Reach Simlipal National Park
Road – Baripada, the district headquarters of Mayurbhanj, on the junction of NH 5 and 6, is 170 km from Bhubaneswar, 240 from Kolkata and 60 km from Balasore and 22 km from Pithabata, which is an entry point. The other entry point Jashipur is 94 km from Baripada on N.H. 6. Both the places are well connected by regular bus services. Taxis and Jeeps are available.
Rail – Nearest railhead is Balasore (60 km from Baripada), served by major trains running on the South-Eastern sector.
Air – Nearest airports are Bhubaneswar (270 kms) and Kolkata (240 km)
Accommodation Simlipal National Park
The accommodation and dining facilities in Simlipal are woefully inadequate. Within the park are bungalows- at Barehapani, Newana, Joranda, Joshipur and Gudgudia- which are maintained by the forest department. Lulung and Joshipur have other tourist lodges and hotels; don’t expect any luxuries, though. It is, in fact, advisable, to get your own bedding and to bring along food as well, just to be on the safe side.
At Chahala (85 km from Baripada) is an old hunting lodge which has been converted into a tourist accommodation unit. It’s actually one of the best places to stay if what you’re mad about watching animals. Chahala is next to a salt lick which is much frequented by animals, and therefore has great scope for wildlife-watching.
The best place to put up outside the park is the town of Baripada, which has a choice of hotels and lodges to offer to tourists.
State-run tourist lodges and forest resthouses charge between Rs 100- 150 for a room, while the lodge at Lulung comes for about Rs 500 for a double room and Rs 75 for a dorm bed. Hotels in Baripada too charge between Rs 150- 500 for a room, depending upon the level of luxury offered.
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