Simlipal National Park is a National Park situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha state, India. Simlipal Tiger Reserve and Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve are part of this national park. The National Park got its name from the red silk cotton trees called ‘Semulin’, found inside the park.

Palpala River near Lulung in Simlipal National Park

Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve consists of the following three protected areas. Similipal Tiger Reserve, spread over 2750.00 square kilometers along with Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 191.06 square kilometers and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 272.75 square kilometers.

The National Park has a protected area of 845.70 square kilometers. As per the last count, there are 99 Royal Bengal tigers (India’s National animal) and 432 Wild elephants inside the National Park. Indian bison and four-horned Antelope (chausingha) are also found here. There is a separate area for orchids inside the National park. The National Park and its surrounding areas have 96 orchid species.

Joranda Falls with a height of 181 meters, and Barehipani Falls with a height of 217 meters are two beautiful falls inside the National Park, which is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves as approved by UNESCO. Champak flower’s fragrance fills the atmosphere here. Sal trees (locally known as Sakhua) are found in large numbers. Rivers Palpala, Budhabalanga, Salandi, Khairi, etc, originate in this area. 231 Bird species are found in this area, which is an ideal bird-watching location. Plant species numbering 1076 are found here. 42 mammal species and 30 reptile species are also found in this National Park.

How Do I Go to Simlipal National Park or Simlipal Tiger Reserve?

The entry point to Simlipal National Park and Simlipal Tiger Reserve is from the Pithabata check gate. You need to pay the charges here to get the entry permits. Pithabata check gate is situated at a distance of 22 kilometers from Baripada, the district headquarters. Balasore is 60 kilometers away from the National Park and Tiger Reserve. Jashipur is another entry point to the Simlipal National Park & Simlipal Tiger Reserve, 95 kilometers from Baripada, the district headquarters.

Simlipal National Park is at a distance of 200 kilometers from Kolkata, 250 kilometers from Bhubaneswar,

National Park Timings

Simlipal National Park is open only From 1st October To 15th June. Entry is allowed from 6 am.