It was a long time I had taken a close look at nature, wildlife & all things beautiful and I really wanted to have a trip where I could take my chances, enjoy the aura of nature & awe at the wildlife. Taking a Wildlife Tour in Odisha has been an adventure I can never forget. I was pleasantly surprised by what the state had to offer. During the Odisha Wildlife Tour, you’ll come across numerous magnificent sights that will take your breath away. Here is my take on  Everything You Should Know About Odisha Wildlife Tour.

Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is a feast for every nature lover. Armed with its repertoire of birds, the region attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year. These include flamingoes, egrets, white-billed storks, white-bellied sea eagles, open-billed storks, spoonbills, spot-billed pelicans, herons, stilts, seagulls and kingfishers, to name a few. You’ll love to take a walk in this beautiful location, basking in sun and watching those beautiful creatures up above.

Satkosia, one of the lesser-known wonders of Odisha. Bestride by a breathtaking gorge and cut by the great Mahanadi River, lies one of the most wonderful & beautiful ecosystems of Odisha. I was astonished by the simplicity of this region. Still untouched and serene as it’s not yet on every tourist’s bucket list, who plan on visiting Odisha. The main appeal of coming here is to spend some time amid the stunning natural scenery. Remember, permit to enter Satkosia has to be obtained at the Divisional Forest Office at Angul and then you can proceed towards Pampasar, the main entry gate.

Satapada, which is home to around 100-odd endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins will give you all the right feels. At the Satapada Jetty, visitors can hire a boat and the boatman will take them into the endless blue expanse of Chilika Lake. The site also houses the Sea Mouth Island where Chilika Lake meets the Bay of Bengal. By road, Satapada is 110 km from Bhubaneswar and 50 km from Puri. The best time of the day to take a boat ride in Satapada to watch dolphins in the morning.

Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, which is Odisha’s only Turtle Sanctuary is the place where one can spot Olive Ridley Turtles. Taking a boat ride across the river and gradually venturing into the wide sea is an experience ridden with sheer thrill and excitement. These turtles travel all the way from South Pacific Ocean to breed on the coast of Gahirmatha. About half a million of these species visit the beach every year for mating. The Odisha government declared Gahirmatha to be a turtle sanctuary in 1979. The vast expanse of the Gahirmatha beach is the best place to witness mass nesting, a phenomenon often termed as arribadas.

Simlipal National Park has always been high up on the tourist’s itineraries especially the foreign tourists due to its mesmerizing beauty and heritage. The Park has a core area of about 850 sq km, where most of the tigers are concentrated. Visitors are not allowed into this section of the park, but if you’re lucky you just might see a tiger wandering further out. What you’re more likely to see are elephants, monkeys, deer and birds. It is a perfect place for nature lovers and is considered as one of the apt destinations to enjoy the vacations with family.

Bhitarkanika National Park is a place where you feel rejuvenated and can have an enthralling experience. It is home to over 1600 saltwater crocodiles besides, sambars, spotted deer, monitor lizards and rhesus monkeys. One of the prime attractions of the park is the 22-feet crocodile named Kaalia. While the national park spreads over an area of 650 sq km, it has a mangrove forest cover of 115 sq km. Best time to visit is October to February when one can also sight the olive ridleys and migratory birds in the sanctuary.