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Bhitarkanika Mangrove Safari | 2-Day Crocodile and Birding Group Trip for Young Travellers
Two days of mangrove creeks, saltwater crocodiles, migratory birds and a quiet Bay of Bengal beach from Bhubaneswar.
DURATION
1 night / 2 days
STARTS
Bhubaneswar airport / railway station pickup
BEST FOR
Wildlife-loving weekenders
RATING
5 star rating from previous batch
01 — The trip
Crocodiles, mangrove creeks and sunset boats on Odisha's wild coast
Your trip captain picks the group up in Bhubaneswar and heads for the coast, stopping at Kendrapara’s Baladevjew Temple for darshan and lunch. By afternoon you’re at a jungle resort in Bhitarkanika, watching sunset over the mangroves before a boat ride to the migratory birds’ island. Day two starts early on the creeks, looking for saltwater crocodiles, then a walk through the national park and a stop at Pentha beach on the drive back.
Short winter weekend batches for India’s second-largest mangrove forest, home to the country’s biggest population of saltwater crocodiles and wintering birds.
Route
Bhubaneswar → Kendrapara (Baladevjew Temple) → Bhitarkanika → Dangmal → Pentha beach → Bhubaneswar
Group size
10–15 travellers, age 20–35
FORMAT
Fixed weekend departures, Saturday to Sunday, Bhubaneswar return
TRIP CAPTAIN
Your trip captain
FROM / PERSON
FROM / PERSON - ₹8,000
Enquire about this trip
No spam. We reply on WhatsApp with dates, seats and the full day plan.
02 — Day by day
The plan
Open a day to see what it actually looks like on the ground.
01 Baladevjew, mangroves and sunset Bhubaneswar → Kendrapara → Bhitarkanika
Bhubaneswar → Kendrapara → Bhitarkanika
- Pickup from Bhubaneswar airport or railway station and an AC drive to Kendrapara for darshan at the Baladevjew Temple and lunch.
- Continue to the jungle resort at Bhitarkanika to check in, then head out to the sunset point on the edge of the mangroves.
- Evening boat ride to the island where migratory birds gather, then dinner and evening entertainment back at the resort.
02 Crocodile creeks and Pentha beachBhitarkanika → Pentha → Bhubaneswar
Bhitarkanika → Pentha → Bhubaneswar
- A 6 am wake-up call and breakfast, then a boat safari through the mangrove creeks to spot saltwater crocodiles, monitor lizards and kingfishers.
- Explore Bhitarkanika National Park on foot at Dangmal, then return to the resort for lunch and check-out.
- Drive back via Pentha beach on the Bay of Bengal, reaching Bhubaneswar by evening for your onward journey.
03 — Stay base
Jungle resort at the edge of the mangroves
One night at a jungle resort beside Bhitarkanika National Park, or a similar property. Dinner, breakfast and lunch are served on site, with evening entertainment after the sunset boat ride.
04 — The fee
What the price covers
Included
- 1 night at a Bhitarkanika jungle resort
- Dinner, breakfast and Day 2 lunch
- Bhubaneswar pickup and drop
- AC vehicle for the full route
- Evening entertainment at the resort
- Trip captain for groups above ten
Not included
- Travel to and from Bhubaneswar
- Day 1 lunch and beverages
- Forest entry permits and camera fees
- Boat safari and boating charges
- GST on the package price
05 — Know before you go
Weather, routes, and what to see
Best time to visit
November to February is the best time for Bhitarkanika: cool 14–28°C days, crocodiles basking on the mudbanks and migratory birds in the creeks. The park closes from May to July for crocodile breeding.
How to reach
By air
Fly into Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, with direct flights from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
By rail
Bhubaneswar (BBS) sits on the east-coast main line, with Rajdhani, Vande Bharat and express trains from Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai.
By road
Bhitarkanika is about 150 km or four hours by road from Bhubaneswar, via Cuttack and Kendrapara on good highways.
Things to do on this route
Baladevjew Temple
Day 1, Kendrapara's revered shrine of Lord Balabhadra
Sunset point
Day 1, dusk over the mangrove creeks
Bird island boat ride
Day 1, migratory birds roosting at dusk
Crocodile creek safari
Day 2, saltwater crocodiles basking on mudbanks
Dangmal
Day 2, park trails and the crocodile breeding centre
Pentha beach
Day 2, quiet Bay of Bengal shore on the drive back
06 — Why book with us
Bhitarkanika-scouted, built for weekend wildlife groups
A full safari in two days
Two boat rides, a park visit and a beach fit into one weekend, with Bhubaneswar pickup and drop by evening.
A trip captain with you
Groups of ten or more travel with a trip captain who handles permits, boat timings and the drives to and from Bhubaneswar.
Sleep beside the park
The jungle resort sits right by Bhitarkanika, so the early crocodile safari starts minutes after breakfast, not hours.
Timed for the winter season
Batches run between November and January, when crocodiles bask in the sun and migratory birds fill the creeks.
08 — VIBE WITH US
Straight from the group chat
Clips shot by travellers on our last few departures.
09 — FAQs
Before you book this one
Anything else — WhatsApp 8867023837 and a planner replies the same day.
What is included in the Bhitarkanika trip?
One night at a jungle resort, dinner, breakfast and Day 2 lunch, AC transport from and back to Bhubaneswar, all sightseeing in the plan, and a trip captain for groups.
How do I pick a batch for this trip?
Choose the November, December or January weekend and message us on WhatsApp. We confirm your seat and share the full plan. Durga Puja and December 20 to January 1 are priced separately.
Who is this Bhitarkanika trip best suited for?
Friends and solo travellers aged 20–35 who love wildlife, birds and boat rides. It’s a short, easy weekend with an early start on the second morning.
What costs are not covered in the price?
Travel to and from Bhubaneswar, Day 1 lunch, forest entry permits, boat safari and camera fees, GST, beverages and personal spends like shopping and tips.
How do I get to Bhubaneswar for the pickup?
Fly or take a train to Bhubaneswar and arrive by early morning on Day 1. We pick you up at the airport or station and drop you back in the city by evening.
What kind of stay can I expect at Bhitarkanika?
A jungle resort near the park, or a similar property, with cottages on double or triple sharing, dinner and breakfast served on site, and evening entertainment.
What should I pack for a mangrove safari?
Earth-toned clothes, a cap and sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen, a light jacket for boat mornings, binoculars, a power bank and closed shoes for muddy trails.
Spots are limited
Message us on WhatsApp to hold your seat — we’ll confirm with the full itinerary and packing list.