CHANDAKA DAMPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY – 20 KMS. FROM BHUBANESHWAR

• Weekend Tour

Just 20 kms. from the capital city of Bhubaneshwar perched on the North-Eastern Ghats of India is the Chandaka – Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 193.39 sq. kms. Here, you can enjoy Open Vehicle Jungle Safari to spot wild animals like Elephants, Chital, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey, Pangolin, Sloth Bear, Indian Wolf, Hyena and other mammals. It is also a favourite destination for Bird Watchers and Adventure seekers. You can visit the different viewpoints and watch towers inside the Sanctuary and enjoy vast stretches of green meadows, sal forests and bamboo forests where you would spot wildlife moving from one corner to other. A night stay in Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, away from the noise of City will surely rejuvenate your soul.

Places to see in Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary: Within the Wildlife Sanctuary, tourists can visit the various viewpoints and watchtowers to enjoy the wildlife like Bharatpur Reserve Forest which is situated to the east of the Sanctuary. You may spot elephants from the watch tower at Bharatpur. A water harvesting structure at Kuasara in Bharatpur has recently become the hotspot for animals too. At Bualigarh, you can visit the ruins of an ancient fort of king Chodaganga Dev built between 1078 AD and 1147 AD. There is a 250 feet long footpath at Naharthali which takes visitors to a hilltop in the main palace area of Bualigarh from where they can get a panoramic view of the entire Wildlife Sanctuary.

Godibari is the main gate of this wildlife sanctuary. There is an artificial cave and children’s park at Godibari which attracts lots of people here. About 02 kms. from Godibari Entry Gate is Kochilaberena watch tower from where you can observe wild animals roaming freely in the distance. At Deras and Jhumka, you would find beautiful lakes surrounded by hills and forests on all sides. Sunset from the banks of these lakes is a sight to behold. Apart from these, you can visit numerous watchtowers and viewpoints like Pitagadia, Mantu and Godabhangatangar to spot wildlife in its natural habitat. At, Salabari there is a huge tract of ancient Sal Tree forest among which you would find a giant Sal Tree with a 12 feet girth.

Nearby attractions of Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary: The city of Cuttack and its major attractions like the 13th Century Barabati Fort and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthplace is around 35 kms. from Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary. The city of Bhubaneshwar and its major attractions like Lingaraja Temple and Rajarani Temple is 20 kms. from here. The caves of Udaygiri and Khandagiri is not event 16 kms from Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from these, the bird sanctuary of Monglajodi is around 60 kms. away, the Jagannath temple of Puri and Sun Temple of Konark is around 80 kms. from the sanctuary area. The small town of Barkul, which is one of the major entry points of Lake Chilika is is around 100 kms. from Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary. From Barkul, you can take boat rides to Dolphin Point, Kalijai Temple and other attractions in Lake Chilika. If you are planning to visit some other destination from Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, then you can keep Satkosia Gorge around 110 kms. away on Mahanadi River in your wihlist too.

Things to do in Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary: Here, you can enjoy Vehicle Wildlife Safari from 04 major Entry Points of Godibari, Deras, Bharatpur and Dampara. The safari duration is usually of 01 hr. and covers major watch towers and viewpoints from where you can enjoy bird’s eye view of the jungles, lakes and wildlife. Bird Watching and Hiking is also encouraged in selected trails within the forest. At Godibari, you would find biking trails, Children’s Park and an artificial Cave too.

Best time to visit Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary: You can visit this Wildlife Sanctuary all round the year. The winters bring in the chill and the birds whereas the summers are cool and wet and bring out the wild animals to graze in the lush forests.

How to reach Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary: The major railhead and airport is located in Bhubaneshwar, which is 20 kms. from Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary. You can hire local cars from Bhubaneshwar to the Sanctuary area.

Lodging and dining facilities Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary: There are two Nature Camps in Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary – Godibari Nature Camp and Deras Nature Camp just 05 kms. apart from one another. The details are:

Deras Nature Camp: Located on the bank of Deras Lake with panoramic views of the hills and forests this Nature Camp has 05 Double Bed AC rooms, 01 Double Bed AC Bamboo Hut and 02 Double Bed AC Log Huts. All Standard facilities like attached Western Bathrooms, comfy beds, wardrobes are available in all the rooms. Vehicle safari is arranged from Dears Nature Camp.

Godibari Nature Camp: Here, guests can enjoy Bird watching, hiking, cycling and various Kids Adventure Sports along the Bamboo groves located within this eco camp’s area. You can take a Nature Walk in a Forest trail and even enjoy Vehicle Jungle Safari from Godibari. There are 06 Double Bed AC rooms at Godibari Nature Camp for the guests.