Simlipal National Park

Total area :	2750 sq km
Protected area :	845.70 sq km
Average rainfall :	2000 mm
Open :	1st Nov -15th June
Best time to visit Simlipal :	Nov - Feb
Location and access :	Mayurbhanj district, Bhubaneswar 270 km Baripada 50 Kms

Simlipal National Park is located at the center of Mayurbhanj district in the North-Eastern part of Orissa. It is situated at a distance of 250 km from Kolkata and 320 km from Bhubaneswar. Surrounded by deciduous trees and Sal forests, Simplipal National Park has 12 rivers running across it. Characterized by thick wooden slopes, ridges, luxuriant grassland and beautiful waterfalls; the park is nestled amidst picturesque hills. A wide array of plants as many as 501 species are housed at the park, out of which 82 species are of Orchids. The Park is a viable source for countless medicinal and aromatic plants also.

Simlipal was acknowledged as a tiger reserve in 1973 and a sanctuary in 1979. One of the 18 tiger reserves of India, it occupies a total area of 2,750 square kms.

Simlipal National Park is a safe haven for Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Langur, Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin, Crocodile and Four horned Antelope. Around 230 species of birds like the Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Trogon, Red Jungle Fowl, Hill Mynah, Peafowl, Alexandrine Parakeet, and Crested Serpent Eagle are found here. The National Park is also home to a large number of reptiles including snakes and turtles.

The other attractions of the Simlipal National Park are Mugger crocodiles at Jashipur apart from Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls.

The Best time to visit this park is from November-June.