Satkosia wildlife sanctuary is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India as well as very important eco-tourism site. The down stream of River Mahanadi after Hirakud Dam flows through a stunning 22KM narrow gorge (1,500 to 2,500 ft high) of Satkosia before falling into the Bay of Bengal. It is located in the districts of Angul, Nayagarh and Boudh. The Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is extended in an area of 745.52 sq.km. with a rare place of beauty where nature is generously bountiful in all its forms of flora and fauna. Here, the River Mahanadi divides the entire area into two parts which are accessible from two separate districts- Nayagarh and Boudh. On the south of the river is a high range of hills and on the north are the mountainous parts of Athamallik and Angul subdivsions. The scenic beauty of Satkosia with its undulating mountain skyline is mesmerising. The sylvan beauty of the forest with captivating fragrance is simply bewildering.
How to reach:
Nearest Major Railway Station – Cuttack, Orissa (160 km)
Nearest Airport – Bhubaneswar, Orissa (175 km)
Time to Visit – October to February. Best Time: December and January
Typical Duration (ex: cuttack) – 3-5 days
The nearest important rail station is Cuttack which is on Howrah – Kharagpur – Visakhapattanam route of East Coast Railway. It is better to reach Cuttack in the early morning. The tourist may take a car or travel by bus to Angul in 4 to 5 hours and obtain permission from DFO, Angul after completing some formalities. Then proceed to Tikarpara which is inside the Satkosia Forest. The Entry Point is at Pamapsara, about 30 km from Angul, where the necessary entry fees are to be paid.
As the road is undulating, the vehicle of higher ground clearance is suggested, but not a small car. It is better to hire a vehicle from Angul/Cuttack. However, the driver with vehicle from Tikarpara is suitable for local sight-seeing in the forest.
Nature Camp at Tikadpara
The nature camp is located on the banks of Mahanadi. The camps have 10 tents with separate toilet facility (Indian style) on the back of the each tent. Each tent has two camp type beds, comfortable enough for a good night sleep. Blankets are provided as it gets real chilly in the winter times. 5 of the tents are called Gharials (alligators) and 5 of the other ones are called ‘Maggars’ (crocodiles).
Cost for Staying at the camp is Rs 600/- or so per head which includes:
Accommodation in the tent on twin share basis
All meals (breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner & occasional tea)
Daily boat ride on the river
Sight Seeing and Activities
Tikarpara offers a panoramic view of the meandering river and the gorge. The Gharial Conservation and Research Centre are located here. The walk from Tikadpara to the camp (1.5 km) is very beautiful with forest at one side and the river on the other.
The Dawn and sunset as seen from the nature camp is mesmerising. The herds of elephants are found sometimes.
Purnakot – Its located just 10 km from Tikadpara. The jungle is denser but there is no river view. One can stay at Purnakot Forest Guest House with prior booking Angul DFO. At Purnakot you can short treks inside the jungle. Ask for a guide in the Forest Guest House.
Hati Girja – There is watch tower at Hati Girja few kilometers from Tikarpada. One should reach here well before sunset and wait on the watchtower till dusk. The watch tower overlooks a waterbody where elephants and sambars come to drink water. You don’t want to make loud noises in this place as it may scare away the animals.
Kandhaida – Another place where you can rendezvous with the wild. The intense jungle and the green long grassland on the other side of a lake here, provides excellent hiding place for tigers. Though tiger sighting here is not common.
Labangi – Another beautiful spot, perched on top of a hill, providing excellent view of the jungle. The area is very pristine, with a calm and cool atmosphere. There is another forest guest house here, very neat and quiet. Elephant sightings in Labangi is common.
Few other spots are Sitalpaani, where there is gentle stream where water flows throughout the year and thus attracts animals and Bheemdhara, where you get to see a nice waterfall.
Ask your guide to take you to some ‘Nuni‘ – places with salt accumulations where sambars come to lick on salt.
Lastly don’t miss on a “Night Safari“. Ask your guide and he will be prompt about it. The atmosphere at night is engrossing, tense, something deserved to be experienced! Some locations in the jungle are accessible at night also; you can reach there, step out of the jeep and feel the jungle at night. “However, don’t distance yourself from the jeep, no matter how safe or beautiful it appears, remember you are not supposed to be there. Scared animals can do a lot of accidents”
Booking Information
Ecotourism Cell, Satkosia Wildlife Division, Hakimpada, Angul, Orissa 759143, India.
Phone: 91-674-236218
Email:
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You can book your stay at the Tikarpara Nature Camp, Labangi Guest House and Purnakot Guest from this place only.
You have to call to get the status of accommodation available, they may ask you to send a demand draft, but you may request (specially if your journey date is round the corner) to pay on site. They entertain that.
Sample Itenaries
Day 1: Cuttack to Tikarpara Nature Camp via Angul (for booking).
Enjoy your evening with the boat ride and leisure walks.
Go out for a night safari.
Day 2: After breakfast visit Purnakot, Hati Girza, Kanhaida, Seetalpani
Return at evening.
Day 3: Laze around at Satkosia, make short trips to Jungle. Take elephant rides at Tikarpada.
Day 4: Move to Labangi. Stay there overnight
Day 5: Move to Cuttack by night.
You can always extend your stay at any of the places and enjoy the nature. Staying overnight at Labangi is not compulsory, you can return to Tikarpara by evening.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 21 November 2010 23:50
