Sundarban Tiger Reserve is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sundarbans National Park, the largest estuary mangrove forest in the world, in West Bengal, India. This national park is well known for its Ganges River Dolphins, Saltwater Crocodiles, and the estuary. It is in the South 24 Parganas district.

A Royal Bengal tiger inside the Sundarban Tiger Reserve / National Park.

The delta area of this mangrove forest is part of the Ganges Delta. It lies across India and Bangladesh. Godkhali Ferry Ghat is the Gateway to the Sundarban.

Sundarbans consists of many islands, numbering around 102 islands, on the Indian side of the delta. But Inhabited islands number only 54. Gosaba Island is an island with a police station and hospital. Ferry services are available to go to these islands.

Sundarban Tiger Reserve is on the Sundarbans, famous for its mangrove forests. The mangrove variant, Sundari Trees, is present in the Sundarbans National Park.

Sundarbans is home to many birds, invertebrate species, and reptiles, including saltwater crocodiles.

Sundarbans National Park is the core area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, home to around 400 Royal Bengal tigers. This National park is also a wildlife sanctuary. Some of the Vulnerable and Endangered species inside the Wildlife sanctuary include the Ganges River dolphin, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, Royal Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile, and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab. Spotted Dear is very common in these areas. Crocodiles are also there.

Hawksbill sea turtle

Hawksbill Sea Turtle and River Terrapin are two critically endangered species of this National Park.

Seven main rivers, including the River Ganges, flow through this estuary. Surprisingly, the water level in some places goes up to 500 meters.

How Do I Go to Sundarban Tiger Reserve inside the Sundarban National Park?

Sundarban Reserve is accessible from the Kolkata – Basanti Highway. It is about 120 kilometers from Kolkata. Godkhali Ferry Ghat is the Gateway to the Sundarban Tiger Reserve. It is on the banks of the Bidya River. There are buses from Kolkata to Godkhali Ferry Ghat. You can also come by your vehicle and park it here for a fee. Also, there are some small shops and eateries on the ferry.

The main entrance to the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, i.e., Godkhali Ferry Ghat, is about 29 kilometers from Canning Railway Station, the nearest railway station. Canning railway station code is CG.

The nearest airport to the Wildlife sanctuary is Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Airport alias Dum Dum Airport at Kolkata. It is about 140 kilometers distance from the Sundarban wildlife sanctuary and Tiger Reserve cum national park.

Ideal Season to Visit Sundarbans

Winter is the ideal season to visit Sundarban Tiger Reserve. i.e., November to February is the ideal season to visit this national park cum tiger reserve.

Boat Safari Packages

Boat safari tickets are available at the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation counter inside the park. There are private boat safari packages also.

Typically, the package tour is either for a single day or two or three days. The one-day package tour usually covers Sudhanyakhali Watchtower, Dobanki Watchtower, and Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary. Multiple-day package tour covers additional places like Kalas Island, Netidhopani Watchtower, and Jhingekhali.