Simlipal National Park

Simlipal sits in Mayurbhanj district and covers forested hills, river valleys, and clearings across much of the eastern highlands. The landscape shifts between dense greenery and open plains crossed by waterways.

The area served as royal hunting grounds for the Maharajas of Mayurbhanj until the 1940s. In the mid-20th century the government began setting aside the land for wildlife protection.

The park takes its name from the Simul tree, a red silk cotton plant that once grew across these forests in large numbers. Visitors move through open clearings and watch how wildlife rhythms shape the pace of daily life here.

Travelers should bring sturdy shoes and long clothing, as paths lead through thick undergrowth and over uneven ground. The best time to visit runs from November through June when the weather is milder.

This area is home to several Bengal tigers with unusual black stripes, a rare mutation that appears nowhere else in India with such frequency. Researchers have tracked these animals for decades and document their spread across remote corners of the reserve.

Location: Mayurbhanj district

Inception: 1980

Shares border with: Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

GPS coordinates: 21.75000,86.33000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:29