How to reach Sundarban National Park from Kolkata?

The Sundarban National Park is one of the most popular historical sites for wildlife enthusiasts, offering an excellent opportunity to watch the endangered Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. Because of the richness of this mangrove ecosystem, the Sundarban National Park is simultaneously a tiger reserve, a national park, and a biosphere reserve. We’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide on How to reach Sundarban National Park from Kolkata?. From transport options to travel tips and also beauty of this wildlife destination, let’s embark on this exciting journey together.

The Sundarbans is a sizable delta that widely stretches 40,000 square kilometers between Bangladesh and India, away from the plethora of the human race. It extends to the River Baleswari in Bangladesh from the River Hooghly in West Bengal, India. The mangrove trees in this UNESCO World Heritage Site (designated in 1987) are languidly perched on the mudflats, which are exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide.

The most direct routes are Sonkhali via Canning and Bagna via Dhamkhali, where one would undoubtedly begin one’s adventure in Kolkata. Let’s delve into this blog to explore all the possible options to reach this incredible land purely ruled by Mother Nature.

Ways to Reach Sundarban from Kolkata

How to reach Sundarban National Park from Kolkata? In this article, Here are the easiest four ways you can choose from to reach the bewildering yet beautiful lands of Sundarban.

1. Travel by Airways

The nearest airport to Sundarbans from Kolkata is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, precisely located in DumDum. It is around 110 to 120 kilometers from the start of the Sundarban safari. To begin your journey to the Sundarbans from Kolkata, take a bus, cab, or taxi to Godkhali from this airport.

2. Via railways

Railways can only take you so far. The nearest rail station is Canning, which is around 40 to 50 kilometers from Sundarbans. However, you may at least obtain admission permission for both STR (Sundarban Tiger Reserve) and the west section of the Sundarbans forest here.

Also, taking the train to Canning covers most of the route comfortably, and you can complete the remaining distance in less than an hour. So, using the railway route appears to be the quickest and most comfortable option.

3. Via roadways

Bus

One way to explore the Sundarbans from Kolkata is to take a bus ride. Even though there are no direct bus lines from Kolkata to the Sundarbans, you will find buses that depart from adjacent sites in the city, such as Esplanade or Howrah. Stops near the Sundarbans include Sonakhali and Namkhana, Canning, Raidhigi, and Najat. Both AC and non-AC buses are available on the Kolkata to Sundarbans route, allowing passengers to select the option that best meets their needs.

Car

Renting a car or utilizing a cab service is another popular option to reach Sundarbas, which covers 130 kilometers (about) and allows for stops at surrounding picturesque locations. Alternatively, you may take a train to Canning and then take the road to GodKhali since both towns are just 29 kilometers apart and would take you less than an hour to reach your destination. Once at Godkhali, waterways are the only means to access the Sundarbans.

4. Waterways

Waterways are the only way to approach the Sundarbans forest and experience its full splendor and glamour. You may readily obtain motorboats and other forms of water transportation in Godkhali and use them to access the Sundarbans region.

Right time to visit Sundarbans

November through March is the ideal time of year to visit the Sundarbans. And “Sundarban tour 3 days and 2 nights” makes the perfect itinerary to explore the mangrove meadow and enjoy its absolute wonders. The favorable weather during this time of year makes it perfect for watching tigers and other wildlife. It’s also open for visits in the summer, which runs from April to July. However, keep in mind that with an average temperature of 43°C, it can get rather hot during this period. The Sundarbans are not a suitable place to visit during the monsoon because most of the land is submerged under water, making boat rides impractical. 

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The beauty of Sundarban Delta

Flora:

Sundarbans National Park’s deep forests are home to numerous indigenous flora. It has over 64 plant species that have been discovered within its territories. These species have adapted to live in brackish environments and saline flooding. Several commonly occurring plant species are the Sundari tree, Golpati, Hatal, Genwa, Champa, and Dhundul. These woodlands include roughly 78 variants of mangroves. Due to their critical function in marine creature survival, they are of utmost importance. These halophytes have a mysterious aura when viewed from a distance.

Fauna:

It makes sense that a big reason why travelers are attracted to the Sundarbans is wildlife tourism (Fauna). After all, a wide range of wildlife calls it home, with a notable presence from the Royal Bengal Tigers. A tiger sighting excites tourists more than anything else. Other species of birds live in these mangrove forests, even though that magnificent cat is deserving of all the praise.

In addition to the Royal Bengal Tiger, animals like pangolins, macaques, flying foxes, wild boar, leopard cats, fishing cats, and Indian grey mongooses. It’s common to see chital deer and rhesus monkeys. The Sundarbans are renowned for having a diverse and abundant marine ecosystem. People react differently when they see a crocodile lounging on the clay in the midday sun. Hermit crabs and red fiddler crabs are two more species of aquatic life besides saltwater crocodiles.

Rivers:

The  Brahmaputra, Ganga, and Meghna come together to form the Sundarbans watershed. Three more rivers create an interesting network of channels along with the three main rivers.

Islands:

This area is home to numerous islands, some of which are flocked by tourists from all over the world. Among them, Henry, Kalash, and Netidhopani are the most popular.

Takeaway

Sundarban Tiger Reserve has many access sites, as does the western section of the Sundarban forest. You must first get access permission; it is available in Bagna for STR, Canning, and Sonkhali. On the other hand, you can get permission for the western section of the forest at Canning, Raidhigi, and Namkhana. After that, you have railways, roadways, and waterways to navigate and reach this bountiful mangrove land. Amidst the realm of nature and wildlife, you can live and devote your days to this beautiful landscape with green vegetation and astonishing species, giving you numerous memories to be cherished for years to come.

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