If you have decided to visit Sundarban, you have made an excellent decision to explore the unique demography, which is different in its way. Geographically, Sundarban is the most prominent Mangrove Forest, located on the delta of three Giant rivers-Ganges, Padma, and the Brahmaputra. However, Sundarban Forest is not a mere dense jungle. It has some unique characteristics.
An experienced Sundarban tour operator can help you to organize a well-planned trip to this Mangrove Safari. But unless you learn the innate Sundarban facts about this Mangrove Forest, the tiger reserve, Sundarbon animals, and the superstitions related to these fierce and lethal beasts, you may not be able to enjoy your trip to this woodland.
Sundarban houses the most significant Mangrove Forest comprising 102 islands. Out of these islands, only 54 islands are populated, but the rest of the islands are forest clad. The whole area is made of approx. Ten thousand square kilometers are shared between Bangladesh and India in 40: 60 ratios.
The abundance of the Sundori tree is the reason behind the name of the forest.
The Mangrove Forest area is so large it can accommodate 10 Venice cities. The whole place has lots of Sundarban rivers, creeks, and confluences.
The Waterway network is one of the unique features of this Mangrove Forest area and Sundarban.
The Sundarban Safari houses plenty of rivers and canals. Rivers of Sundarban and canals cater to Sundarban tidal waves, which impact the water level of all these canals, and the water reaches up to 6-8 feet on the low land area. After 12 hours, the tidal wave goes off, and the lowlands become entirely muddy.
During the high tide, canals get water filled and it is possible to ride a boat. Experienced boatmen of Sundarban can sail through this tidal water and help tourists view the dense areas of Sundarban Forest from the boat.
The waterway is a unique way to view the forest from a safe distance.
Wide varieties of birds are one of the premium attractions of Mangrove Forest, Sundarban. Sajnekhali bird sanctuary is one of the best places to watch various birds in migratory and non-migratory categories. The Sundarban safari is best observed from the Sajnekhali watchtower.
The most frequently seen birds in the Sundarban National Park are Kingfishers, Plovers, Sandpipers, Whimbrels, White Bellied Sea eagles, etc. The watchtower is located near the core area of Tiger reserve. Maybe you will be able to view the Jungle King, from your boat journey.
The Mangrove Forest is the natural habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger. These Sundarban tigers are extremely ferocious and man-eaters. These tigers can climb trees and swim in the water with effortless ease.
Various legends and stories are famous in Sundarban Safari about Royal Bengal Tiger. Many so-called superstitious beliefs are popular here that only the worship of Bon Bibi can save people from the attack and wrath of these big cats.
Royal Bengal Tigers are one of the attractions of Sundarban Mangrove Forest. However, visiting Sundarban Safari does not guarantee that you can get a glimpse of the Jungle king. But it is believed that no matter if you can’t see the Tiger, the Tiger has been watching you since you stepped into his territory.
Near the Sundarban National Park area called Bhagabatpur, the Indian government has started a crocodile conservation Center here. It is located near Lothian Island and at the shore of Saptamukhi creek. The center takes care of estuarine crocodiles and BatagurBaska species of tortoise. When visiting Mangrove Forest, a small education tour at this conservation center will add to your knowledge about the unique ecosystem of the place. The scope of the educational time is a unique feature of the Mangrove Forest tour. Only an experienced Sundarban tour operator can arrange this unique itinerary for you.
The Mangrove Forest area is famous for its unique flora and fauna. Here it is estimated that 248 bird species are found, 55 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals. The mammals of Sundarban comprise Wild boars, spotted deer, leopards, rhinoceros, wild buffaloes, wild hogs, wild cats, barasinga, spotted deer, Hog deer, barking deer, monkeys, porcupines, and Rhesus macaque apart from Royal Bengal Tiger, etc. The forest includes venomous reptiles like the King cobra, the common cobra, the Banded krait, and Russells Viper. In the non-venomous category, Python, Chequered Kil-Back, and Dhaman snakes are available.
The Mangrove Forest and its adjacent water bodies are the swelling places of some fascinating aquatic animals like the Snubfin dolphin (Orcellabrevirostris), Gangetic Dolphin (Platinistagangetica ), River Terrapin (BatagurBaska), Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), marine turtles like Olive Ridley ( Lepidochelysolivacea ), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), etc. Also, the aquamarine ecosystem includes sharks, Ray-fish, and many other seas and sweet water fish.
According to the latest census, Sundarban is the dwelling place for 453 f wildlife, including 290 birds, 120 fish, 42 mammals, 35 reptiles, and eight amphibian species.
The unique flora and fauna have made the forest a special place to explore its wildlife—it is altogether different. Sundarban flora includes 64 trees, including Genwa, Dhundal, Passur, Garjan, Kankra, Goran, Sundori, Buta-Buta Tree, Hargoja tree, etc., which are mainly of the Mangrove category.
Phytoplankton is a kind of Microscopic Marine Algae. It glows at night. In Sundarban, you can experience the glow of this organism, especially on New Moon night amidst the darkness. It is the rare experience of bioluminescent plankton at night in Sundarbans, and looks stunning.
Now you may have developed a fair idea about the unique facts and features of the Mangrove Forest of Sundarban. When planning for your sundarban tour, you must contact a reliable tour operator with experience conducting a well-organized tour and scheduling your itineraries keeping the features in mind.
Sunderbans National Park was declared as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1973 by Government of India and was given the status of the national park in 1978. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites too. The huge marshy delta of two great Indian rivers as Ganges and Brahmaputra expands over areas, which include the mangrove forest, marsh land and jungle island all mixed in a system of small rivers and also some streams. Sunderbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. The name Sunderbans has come from Sundari plants, which were in a large quantity once in this region. The major attractions of the park is its topography. The major animal of the national park is Royal Bengal Tiger and it is one the most famous place for tiger safari in India. The few other wildlife of Sunderbans are Fishing Camp, Common Grey Mongoose, Jungle Cat, Wild boar, flying fox, fox, chital, macaques and Pangolin.
Anybody may plan their Sundarban tour by their own. The nearest Airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport. The Airport is well connected to major cities of India through regular flights. Cabs can be hired from the Airport to reach Sundarban which takes around 3 hours to reach.
Mostly 1 night/2 days or 2 nights/3 days packages are popular but anybody may extend their day. It is better to visit Sundarbans in a group. The main cost of visiting Sundarbans is the boat, thus visiting in a group helps dividing the boat cost, otherwise you have to bear the whole cost of the boat.
Yes, you may book a private boat for your family or group. It can be hired from Gothkhali or Sonakhali.
The most popular places to visit the Sundarbans are Sajnekhali Watch Tower, Sudhnyakhali Watch Tower, Dobanki Watch Tower, Panchmukhani, Pirkhali, Gajikhali, Hamilton Bunglow, Netidhopani, Buridabri, Kalash etc.
We arrange regular packages from Kolkata on sharing basis as well as private basis. Package includes up and down car fare from Kolkata to Gothkhali , Accommodation in our Resort ( Both AC and Non Ac rooms are available) , All meals ( Breakfast, Lunch, Evening snacks & Dinner), All Sightseeing as per itinerary, Forest permit & Guide charges, Cultural programme.
You have to select your Sundarban Tour Package on the basis of Land & River Transfers, Accommodation, Food, Jungle Permit & Guide. Normally a Sundarban Package comes as an all-inclusive package ex. Kolkata. The Tour Operator should provide a guide during Marine Safari hired additionally from Sajnekhali Office during permitting. You should select a proper tour operator to visit the Sundarban for make the package attractive and economical with proper safety measure like proper accommodation, hygienic food , life jacket & proper boat.
River Cruises on boats are the best way to enjoy the Sundarban Delta.
Although multi-cuisine is not available in Sundarbans, fresh local vegetables, fishes like Bhetki, Parshe and Hilsa and chicken is available. The food is delicious and healthy.
While the Sundarbans National Park makes up the core zone with the highest concentration of tigers, the buffer zone is made up of the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary. The area that tourists get to visit is the well-defined Eco-tourism zone where the incidence of any fatalities is extremely rare and to visit the Sundarban by a proper guide is completely safe and secure. You have to arrange your Sundarban tour by a proper professional tour operator to make your tour proper and attractive also.