Similipal National Park, Odisha’s prominent biosphere reserve in Mayurbhanj district, officially reopened its gates to tourists on Sunday, November 1, 2026, marking the start of the winter ecotourism season.
The reopening allows visitors to explore the sanctuary’s diverse wildlife, dense sal forest trails, and scenic waterfalls following extensive restoration work on park roads damaged during the monsoon.
Mandatory Online Permits and Revised Gate Timings
The Odisha Forest Department has instituted mandatory online booking for all day visitors and overnight tourists to streamline park capacity and visitor safety:
- No Offline Passes: Physical entry passes have been completely discontinued at entry counters this season. Visitors must secure permits prior to arrival via the official web portal (www.similipal.org).
- Entry Windows: Permits for the Kalikaprasad check gate near Jashipur are valid between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Entry via the Pithabata check gate near Baripada is permitted strictly between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
- Exit Deadline: Day-trip visitors must exit the sanctuary premises through designated exit points by 6:00 PM.
Ecotourism Stay Options and Season Context
Overnight accommodations and guided jungle safaris inside the sanctuary complex are available at eco-cottage clusters including Kumari, Gudgudia, Barehipani, Jamuani, and Ramtirtha/Talabandh. Reservations for accommodation and safaris must be completed in advance through www.ecotourodisha.com.
The November 1 launch represents a slight delay compared to previous tourist seasons—when the park opened on October 14 (2023), October 10 (2024), and October 18 (2025)—to ensure complete road surface stabilization and safety checks across interior jungle routes following heavy monsoon runoff.
