A place with no Wi-Fi, network, a paradise for nomads and a digital detox to cure your brain fog for the much-needed city people, Simlipal National Park in Odisha with the picturesque waterfall, experience life in tribal villages and let the greenery here reach your hearts. From all the bustle of the city Similipal, known for its Tiger Reserve, is located in the northern part of the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha Adorned with beautiful flora and fauna, Similipal derives its name from the Semal Tree of Bengal and it’s one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries of India as well
To get immersed in the flora and fauna of this beautiful forest these are my top 7 best spots to explore inside Simlipal National Park.
Barehipani Waterfalls
Barehipani Waterfall is Odisha’s second tallest waterfall, and Simipal’s tallest Waterfall, with a height of 217 meters, is truly a beauty, one of its kind. This place is one of the most popular attractions in this reserve. Another interesting thing about Simlipal is that it’s also a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve.
The best time to visit this gorgeous, serene is from November to February. Various people from all over the country come here for picnics and to immerse themselves in the beauty of the jungle.
You’ll be surprised to see so many houses near these places. Due to the geographical location of Odisha, there are a lot of hilly terrains and dense forests, and because of that, there is a huge thriving tribal community. There are other waterfalls to visit as well such as Devkund, Joranda, Uski Waterfall etc.
Chahala
Black tiger, yes you heard me right!! Although these Tigers are not entirely black and are difficult to spot since there are only 10 of them right now. They are also called Melanistic Tigers which are exclusively only found here.
If you’re adventurous and interested in sightseeing, Chahala should be on your itinerary. This place is a hotspot of biodiversity. You have so many species, such as tigers, leopards, and Elephants, who freely roam around this place. You watch them from the Watchtower or Observe them at Saltlicks.
You can also stay at the forest lodge for a more vibrant experience, and who knows, you might come across a rare black tiger. According to the research, this happened due to a genetic mutation, which is very rare, and only a few tigers in Simlipal have it.
Orchidarium Park
If you’re a fan of flora or Fauna, this place will stun you with its beauty. There are 96 orchids in Similipal, which is 7% of the world’s orchids, and guess what? You can find them all under one roof. So, this is Gudgudia’s Orchidarium. It is said that 7% of the world’s orchids are found here in Similipal in this orchidarium, you will get to see 93 different varieties of orchids.
There is also a huge pine plantation forest next to this Orchidarium. I mean, this place is an escape for all nature lovers. This place is like heaven on earth; you’ll be surrounded by these gorgeous orchids that, for a moment, you’re going to forget everything and immerse in this exotic experience of a lifetime.
Belgadia Palace
Few places on this earth have everything, and Simlipal Reserve is one of them. It has everything from Tigers to orchids or waterfalls to monuments. Isn’t that amazing? Similipal’s iconic structure is the Belgadia Palace. This is an 18th-century palace that belongs to the royal family of Mayurbhanj it turned into a boutique hotel just 2 years back, offering 11 heritage rooms with lots of luxurious amenities.
It’s a hidden place that feels like home in a living museum with lots and lots of art and cultural history. It will feel like entering a room full of royalty, vintage rooms and architecture, green lawns, and open outdoor patios. The more I say about Odisha, the less it is. It’s truly India’s best-kept secret.
From the history and culture to artwork, monumental structures, gorgeous beaches and of course, the heavenly jungles. I mean there are so many experiences to witness, all packed up in one place.
Sitakund Waterfall
Situated just 2 km from the Pithavata Gate, this stunning gem of a waterfall should be on your go-to list, If you’re visiting Simlipal Tiger Reserve. One of the most famous mythological stories surrounding this waterfall is that Goddess Sita rested here, near the waterfall, during her exile, which makes this waterfall quite important for the Hindu community.
This paradise of a waterfall stands 25 feet tall. Park your cars near the parking lot and then you have to trek to the waterfall which honestly is the best part. The good thing about this place is that it is still untouched by commercial tourism, which makes this place very peaceful and calm and often a great spot for picnics with your family.
Khairi-Bandhan Rivers
If you have few moments to spare for leisure time, a few moments away from all the hustle of trekking and other activities. Come to Khairi Bandhan River, sit near the banks of this stunning river, take a book or maybe binoculars and get lost in the serenity of nature. It’s so quiet and peaceful.
At times you’ll only be able to hear the sound of the river flowing and the chirping of the birds/insects and maybe your own thoughts. These kinds of places are my favourite, the kind where you can simply just relax and truly enjoy the beauty of Mother Earth. You also spot a few birds and maybe deer; all in all, it is a place definitely worth your time.
Ramatirtha Crocodile Breeding Center
This place is just near the Khairi Bandhan River. This place will definitely intrigue your curiosity. Established in 1979, this place is a home for mugger crocodiles. It is a breeding ground for them, as the name itself suggests, and it was established to conserve the mugger crocodiles.
It’s a very interesting tourist attraction. Most of the Crocodiles are released once they’re adults. Unfortunately, it’s in a dire state because of the lack of funding. Do visit it if you’re around this area; it’s a very interesting place, to say the least.
I hope you liked the list of all these stunning, beautiful places at Simlipal Tiger Reserve and Hopefully this list will make it easy for you to truly understand which places you want to visit here.
