Simlipal
Odisha · east · 900m
UNESCO Biosphere — tiger reserve, 217m waterfall, 96 orchid species, melanistic tigers
Why Special
2,750 sq km UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Project Tiger reserve since 1973. Barehipani Falls (217m — India's 2nd highest). Joranda Falls (181m). 96 endemic orchid species. Rare melanistic (pseudo-black) tigers. Asian elephants, gaur.
Who Should Think Twice
Infrastructure concerns
BSNL only — limited signal, no 4G data
Signal drops to zero in many areas
Difficult last-mile access
Festivals & Events
Simlipal Flower Festival
AprApril (orchid season)
Festival celebrating the blooming of 96 endemic orchid species. Nature walks, tribal cultural programs.
96 orchid species bloom simultaneously in India's richest orchid forest
Infrastructure Reality
Network Coverage
BSNL only at rest houses. ZERO signal inside forest. Download offline maps.
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: Government Hospital Baripada — 30km (30 km)
Ambulance: 108 (very slow in park)
Police: 100
Getting There
Baripada 30km (1h to Pithabata gate), Bhubaneswar 270km (6h)
Roads: Good to Baripada, forest roads inside (variable)
Public transport: Buses to Baripada. Need own vehicle for park.
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Baripada 30km
⚠ Carry extra fuel
Stay: ₹500–3,000/night
5+ options (forest-rest-house, OTDC-lodge)
Emergency: Forest rest houses (Chahala, Jenabili, Barakamuda)
The stay decisions worth flagging in Simlipal.
Simlipal is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Odisha and one of India's principal tiger projects — UNESCO biosphere. Stay scene is Forest Department rest houses (Chahala, Barehipani, Joranda) and Lulung Nature Camp at the periphery. No private lodges. Open Nov-mid June only. Barehipani Falls is the signature sight. 270 km from Bhubaneswar.
Simlipal has forest camping and basic forest rest houses — no private luxury lodges. Chahala Forest Rest House and Barehipani Forest Rest House (in-park) and Lulung Nature Camp (peripheral) are the primary options. Forest camping opens Nov-mid June; closed monsoon. Book via Odisha Forest Department or state tourism.
Lulung Nature Camp (Odisha Forest Dept)
Peripheral camp at Lulung — the gateway village for Simlipal. Basic cottages and tented accommodation. Forest Department-run, requires advance booking via wildlife.odisha.gov.in. Wildlife safari jeeps organised from the camp.
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