WILDLIFE SAFARI ODISHA

Odisha is home to hundreds of animals that wander freely in its exotic sanctuaries. There are scopes for tourists to drive through and some also includes walkthrough exhibit displaying animals.

Debrigarh – The wildlife sanctuary is located nearby Hirakud dam in Bargarh district in Odisha. It is a home to a wide variety available in terms of biodiversity comprising more than 40 species of mammals, 41 species of reptiles, 234 species of birds, 42 species of fishes, 12 species of amphibians, 85 species of butterflies, and more.

Kuldiha – Spread in a large area of 273 square km, the wildlife sanctuary is located in Balasore district in Odisha. It is well known for Mayurbhanj elephant reserve that spread all around Kuldiha, Similipal and Hadgarh wildlife reserves.

Chandaka Dampara – The wildlife sanctuary lies in the Cuttack district in Odisha. The forest is spread in a large area of 175 square km and in year 1982, it has been designated as an elephant reserve. The species that can be seen here comprise Indian elephant, leopard, barking deer, Chital, wild pig, rhesus monkey, pangolin, mongoose, etc.

Nandankanan Zoological Park – It is spread in a large area of 437 hectare land area. Founded in 1960, it became the first zoo in the country that is listed in the WAZA – World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The wildlife also contains a botanical garden and it is located in the capital city of Odisha, Bhubaneswar.

Khalasuni – The wildlife sanctuary is located at 340 km away from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The attractions of the wildlife are its serene landscape, beauty, wonderful waterfalls, and above all, a large variety available in both flora and fauna. There is a good habitat of elephants here in this sanctuary.

Kotagada – The wildlife sanctuary is situated in Baliguda forest division of Kandhamal district in Odisha. Along with scenic beauty and spell full surrounded with pine jungles, coffee gardens and ghat roads, visitors can spot on leopard, jungle cat, wild bear, elephants, mouse deer, jackal, monkey and porcupine here.

Karlapat – Spread in a large area of 148 square km, it is situated at 12 km distance from Bhawanipatna in Odisha. A perfect place for all nature lovers, visitors can spot on gaur, leopard, nilgai, sambar, mouse deer, barking deer, soft claws Ottawa and different species of reptiles and birds here.

Balukhand – The wildlife is spread in a large area of 72 square km. It is located at about 10 km distance away from Puri in Odisha. It was founded with a motive to safeguard the shoreline nesting sites of Olive Ridley turtles and endangered blackbuck.

Satkosia Gorge – Founded in year 1976, it is simply a paradise for all adventure lovers. Known for having the best ecosystem in the country, it represents a large variety in both flora and fauna. Spread along the large area over the River Mahanadi in Odisha, the tiger reserve is basking Mugger, crocodiles, reptiles, amphibians, endangered aquatic birds and more.

Ushakothi – Reckoned among one of the smallest wildlife sanctuaries of the state Odisha, it is located at an about 22 km distance from Sambalpur. Visitors can spot on sambars, elephants, housing tigers, bisons and leopards here.

Baisipalli – Spread in a large area of 168 square km, it is located just adjacent to famous Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary in Nayagarh district in Odisha. Tourists can get the chance to see and spot on elephants, tigers, sambar deer, resident avian, migratory birds and a large variety in fauna.

Bhitarkaniaka Wildlife Sanctuary – The wildlife sanctuary is spread in a large area of 672 square km and is situated in North Eastern region in Kendrapara district in Odisha. The wildlife is home to King Cobra, Saltwater Crocodile, black ibis, Indian Python, darters, mangrove species and many other species of fauna and flora.

Similipal National Park – Spread in a large protected area of 845 square km, it is home to 432 wild elephants and 99 royal Bengal tigers. The wildlife sanctuary is also popular for chausingha, Indian bison, orchidarium, etc. Since 2009, the reserve is been a part of UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.