Sundarban National Park
Sundarbans National Park, located in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India, covering 1,330 sq. km and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve. It is famous for being the largest mangrove forest in the world and the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The park is known for its dense mangroves, winding waterways, saltwater crocodiles, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The park is located in the Sundarbans Delta, formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal. It extends into Bangladesh, where it is known as the Sundarbans Reserve Forest. Within Sundarban, the only way to get around is by boat or launch.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK
Season | Months | Weather | Best for |
Winter | November – February | 10°C to 25°C | Best for tiger sightings, bird-watching, comfortable boat safaris |
Summer | March – May | 25°C to 40°C | Humid but good for spotting wildlife near water bodies |
Monsoon | June – October | 22°C to 35°C | Lush greenery but risky boat rides due to heavy rains |
Season | Months | Weather | Best for |
Winter | November – February | 10°C to 25°C | Best for tiger sightings, bird-watching, comfortable boat safaris |
Summer | March – May | 25°C to 40°C | Humid but good for spotting wildlife near water bodies |
Monsoon | June – October | 22°C to 35°C | Lush greenery but risky boat rides due to heavy rains |
Park Closing Period
- Sundarbans National Park remains open throughout the year, but the best months for wildlife sightings and boat safaris are November to April.
HOW TO REACH SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK
By Air
- Nearest Airport to Sundarbans National Park: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Dumdum, Kolkata (CCU) (120 km)
- Kolkata is well connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and other major cities.
- From the airport, you can take a taxi or a train to reach the ferry points.
By Train
- Nearest Railway Stations to Sundarbans National Park:
- Canning Railway Station (~45 km from Sundarbans) – Trains (EMU) to reach Canning, are available from Sealdah at an interval of every one hour.
- Sealdah Railway Station, Kolkata (~100 km) – Main railway hub.
- From Canning, you can take a local taxi or bus to Godkhali, the main ferry point.
By Road
- Distance from Kolkata: ~100 km (3-4 hours drive)
- Drive from Kolkata to Godkhali or Dhamakhali, the main ferry points.
- From these points, you need to take a boat to reach Sundarbans National Park.
By Waterways
- Main Ferry Points: One can reach Godkhali or Dhamakhali by bus route. Thereafter, one can avail ferry to reach Sajnekhali or the nearby destinations.
- West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation organizes guided tours from Kolkata.
MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AT SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife & Biodiversity
- Royal Bengal Tigers (Unique swimming tigers adapted to mangroves)
- Saltwater Crocodiles
- Gangetic Dolphins & Irrawaddy Dolphins
- Indian Rock Pythons & King Cobras
- Monitor Lizards & Mudskippers
- Over 300 Bird Species (including the White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Pelicans, and Kingfishers)
Major Tourist Spots
- Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary – Mangrove Interpretation Centre, turtle and crocodile pond, watch tower and sweet water pond.
- Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary – The wildlife in this sanctuary includes spotted deer, estuarine crocodiles, olive ridley sea turtles, jungle cats and rhesus macaques.
- Haliday Wildlife Sanctuary – It is situated on the Matla river. One can spot a diverse kind of wildlife here, like spotted deer, wild boar, barking deer and rhesus macaque. The royal Bengal tigers are occasional visitors to this island.
- Sudhanyakhali Watchtower – Popular for tiger sightings.
- Dobanki Watchtower & Canopy Walk – Offers an aerial view of the mangrove forest.
- Netidhopani Watchtower – Ruins of a 400 year old ancient temple ruins inside the core area.
- Burirdabri Cage Trail and Mud Walk – It allows the tourists of a feel of the muddy forest floor. It culminates into a watch tower over looking Bangladesh with river Raimongal forming the boundary.
- Jhingekhali – A watch tower with observation lines and sweet water pond for observing the wildlife.
- Bonobibi Temple – Sacred place dedicated to the deity Bonobibi, protector of the Sundarbans.
- Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project – It is the only crocodile project in West Bengal. It is located on the bank of the Saptamukhi estuary, adjacent to the Lothian Island. It is located on the bank of the Saptamukhi estuary, adjacent to the Lothian Island. It has amazingly dense mangrove forest at the confluence of Saptamukhi riverine system.
SAFARI AT SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK
Unlike traditional jeep safaris, Sundarbans offers boat safaris to explore its dense mangrove forests and wildlife.
Charges | Indian | Foreigner |
Entry Permit | ₹120 | ₹500 |
Guide Fees | ₹700 | ₹1500 |
Safari Boat Entry | ₹600 | ₹600 |
Holiday Charges from December to February (Peak Season) | ₹500 Per Boat | ₹500 Per Boat |
Note: The charges may vary as per the West Bengal Government’s Orders. Please refer to official website of West Bengal Tourism Department (https://www.wbtdcl.com/) for updated charges, bookings and packages. | ||
Charges | Indian | Foreigner |
Entry Permit | ₹120 | ₹500 |
Guide Fees | ₹700 | ₹1500 |
Safari Boat Entry | ₹600 | ₹600 |
Holiday Charges from December to February (Peak Season) | ₹500 Per Boat | ₹500 Per Boat |
Note: The charges may vary as per the West Bengal Government’s Orders. Please refer to official website of West Bengal Tourism Department (https://www.wbtdcl.com/) for updated charges, bookings and packages. | ||
Booking Tip:
- Private boats allow better wildlife viewing and a more comfortable experience.
- Houseboat stays offer an immersive experience, with overnight stays in the Sundarbans.
HOW TO BOOK SAFARI FOR SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK (ONLINE & OFFLINE)
Online Booking for Packages:
- Official Website: https://www.wbtdcl.com/
- Private tour operators also offer customized safaris and stays.
Offline Booking for Packages:
- Available at Sajnekhali Forest Office and various ferry points like Godkhali and Sonakhali.
- Subject to availability, so booking in advance is recommended.
Note: Safari to Sundarban National Park is different from other National Parks of India as complete safari has to be performed through boats or launches. There is no option for direct booking of boats from the official website for individuals. It is due to the reason that complete safari to Sundarban cannot be performed in a single day as there are lot of things to explore and experience. So it requires night stay within the park. There are various options for accommodation available like Forest Department Rest Houses, Private Accommodations and House Boats. Therefore, the best option to explore Sundarbans is to book Package either through government website or from private tour operators.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS FOR SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK
✔️ Book safaris & accommodations in advance, especially for peak season (December–April).
✔️ Wear light and breathable clothes, as the humidity is high.
✔️ Carry mosquito repellent and sunscreen for protection.
✔️ Mobile network is weak in most areas, so inform family beforehand.
✔️ Do not disturb wildlife or litter in the mangroves.
✔️ Local guides and forest officials are mandatory for all boat safaris.