Simlipal National Park is located at the center of Mayurbhanj district in the North-Eastern part of Odisha (Orissa). It is situated at a distance of 250 km from Kolkata and 320 km from Bhubaneswar. This National Park is surrounded by deciduous trees and Sal forests. Simplipal National Park has 12 rivers running across it. Characterized by thick wooden slopes, ridges, luxuriant grassland and beautiful waterfalls; the park is nestled amidst picturesque hills. A wide array of plants as many as 501 species are housed at the park, out of which 82 species are of Orchids. The Park is a viable source for countless medicinal and aromatic plants also.
Major Attractions of Simlipal National Park, Mayurbhanj
Simlipal was acknowledged as a tiger reserve in 1973 and a sanctuary in 1979. One of the 18 tiger reserves of India, it occupies a total area of 2,750 square kms. Simlipal National Park is a safe haven for Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Langur, Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin, Crocodile and Four horned Antelope. Around 230 species of birds like the Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Trogon, Red Jungle Fowl, Hill Mynah, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, and Crested Serpent Eagle are found here. The National Park is also home to a large number of reptiles including snakes and turtles. The other attractions of the Simlipal National Park are Mugger crocodiles at Jashipur apart from Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls
How to Reach Simlipal National Park
Reach By Bus : The Odisha state transport buses connects Simlipal with all the major cities of the State. Daily interstate bus services are available from Jamshedpur, Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar.
Reach By Train : Balasore railway station is the nearest rail head to Simlipal and it is at a distance of 76 kms from Simlipal. It is connected to all the major cities of India through regular trains and to the rest of the Odisha by passenger and express trains.
Reach by Air : Sonari Airport Jamshedpur is the nearest domestic airport to Simlipal located at a distance of 140 kms. Biju Pattnaik Airport Bhubaneshwar is 187 kms away form Simlipal. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata is the nearest international airport to Simlipal. It is at a distance of 251 kms from the sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit Simlipal National Park
The Best time to visit Simlipal National Park is from November-June.