Bhitarkanika National Park

Bhitarkanika occupies the delta of the Brahmani, Baitarani and Dhamra in northern Odisha, the second largest mangrove system in India, and it holds a saltwater crocodile population of well over sixteen hundred, including some of the largest individuals recorded anywhere; one measured here at around seven metres held a world record. Access is by boat along creeks, watching crocodiles on the banks along with water monitors, kingfishers and heronries. Nearby Gahirmatha beach is one of the world's largest mass nesting sites for olive ridley turtles, where hundreds of thousands come ashore over a few nights in the arribada.

What's there

• The saltwater crocodiles - a large population including record-size animals.
• The mangrove creeks - boat routes through dense tidal forest.
• The heronries - large mixed breeding colonies in the trees.
• Gahirmatha - the mass olive ridley nesting beach nearby.

When to go

December to February for crocodiles and birds; the park closes from May to July for crocodile breeding. Turtle arribada at Gahirmatha usually falls between February and April but is unpredictable.

Practical notes

Access is only by boat with permits and guides, and arrangements are slow. Gahirmatha nesting is a restricted zone and viewing is limited. The arribada may not occur in some years. Accommodation is basic forest lodges.

Nearby

Rajnagar lies west; Bhubaneswar is southwest.

Key facts