Whenever we think of the Sundarbans, dense mangrove forests, a maze of rivers and creeks, and of course the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, come to mind. But did you know that the real secret and beauty of this largest mangrove forest in the world is hidden in some of its watch towers and special tourist spots?
As a local tour expert, today I will share with you a list of 7 best places in the Sundarbans that you should not miss in your journey.
1. Sajnekhali Watch Tower
Sajnekhali can be called the gateway or headquarters of the Sundarbans tour. Apart from getting permission for jungle safari, this watch tower is an ideal place to see wildlife.
Special attraction: From here, you can see the river, forest and freshwater pond at the same time, where deer or wild boar come to drink water.
Bonus: There is a beautiful museum, mangrove interpretation center and a turtle hatchery inside Sajnekhali that will be very popular with both young and old.
2. Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower
If you want to see the Sundarbans tiger or Royal Bengal tiger, then Sudhanyakhali should be at the top of your list. According to local guides, this spot has the highest record of tiger sightings.
Special attraction: There is a freshwater hole or ‘pond’ right in front of this watch tower. Tigers, deer and various wildlife often come to the banks of this pond to quench their thirst in the miles and miles of saltwater forest.
3. Dobanki Watch Tower & Canopy Walk
Dobanki is not just a watch tower, it is one of the most thrilling experiences in the Sundarbans. The main attraction here is the Canopy Walk or hanging bridge, which is about half a kilometer long.
Special attraction: You will walk on a cage-like protected grill bridge about 20 feet above the ground, and the primeval forest will be below you. This experience of watching a herd of deer or a tiger from above the forest is truly a lifetime memory.
4. Bonnie Camp Watch Tower
This is the tallest watch tower in the Sundarbans (about 50 feet high). For those who want to be a little quiet and see the true form of the deep forest, Bonnie Camp is a paradise.
Special attraction: Located near the India-Bangladesh border, this camp is surrounded by dense forest on all sides. Its peaceful environment and the feeling of seeing the green sheets of mangroves stretching out to the horizon from the top of the watch tower are simply extraordinary.
5. Kalas Island and Kalas Camp
Kalas Island is located at the southernmost tip of the Sundarbans, where the river meets the Bay of Bengal. It is basically a deserted beach without any people.
Special attraction: In winter, a lot of Olive Ridley Turtles come to this island to lay their eggs. This is a wonderful offbeat place to see the huge waves of the sea and the meeting place of the mangroves. However, due to security reasons, permission is not always granted to land here, and its appearance has to be seen from a launch.
6. Jharkhali Eco-Tourism Park
Jharkhali is a great spot to see the tigers of the Sundarbans up close and safely. It is basically a tiger rehabilitation center.
Special attraction: Tigers injured in the forest or those who have migrated to the locality are brought here for treatment and care. Apart from this, the children’s park and butterfly park here provide great pleasure to tourists, especially children.
7. Burirdabri Watch Tower
For those who want a little adventure and want to touch the real mud-soil Sundarbans, Burirdabri is the best. It is located right on the banks of the Raimangal River on the Bangladesh border.
Special attraction: While walking on the wooden Mud Walk or the bridge built over the mud, you will see numerous small mangrove roots, red crabs and mud-skippers below. When you reach the end of the bridge, you can see the Sundarbans of Bangladesh on the other side of the creek.
Local tips from Sundarban Packages:
To enjoy the true beauty of the Sundarbans, don’t rush and choose a perfect Sundarbans visit of at least 2 nights and 3 days. And during the jungle safari, keep an experienced local guide with you, because no one can tell you better than the people there when you will see a tiger in a creek!
Are you planning your next Sundarbans trip? You can contact us directly for booking or any information.