Birds of the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans National Park is a vast area of 4,262 sq. km in India alone, with a much larger portion in Bangladesh, forming the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India. This is a birding-focused tour in India.
About this tour
The Sundarbans National Park is a vast area of 4,262 sq. km in India alone, with a much larger portion in Bangladesh, forming the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India. It is a part of the world’s largest delta, formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna, and is also the world’s largest estuarine forest. In a landscape dominated by great tidal creeks and waterways, the only way to access and enjoy the area is by motorised boat.
The Sundarbans is the home of swimming Tigers, the curious Fishing Cat and Estuarine Crocodiles. The most sought-after birds include Brown-winged Kingfisher, Grey-headed Lapwing, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Buffy Fish Owl, Lesser Adjutant or maybe a Mangrove Whistler. We have three full days to explore the area, with a combination of our own private boat as well as short walks and viewing from the multiple watchtowers inside the park.
This Bubo Birding itinerary is available through BirdWatch.info as a private or custom departure. Current dates, exact routing, accommodation and final price should be confirmed after inquiry.
Itinerary ▼
The tour starts in the morning from Kolkata, so if you are travelling from elsewhere you should aim to arrive the day before, and we can provide accommodation and airport transfers if necessary. We will drive from Kolkata to the jetty at Gadhkali, where our private boat, the M B Sundari awaits. We then have a couple of hours gentle cruising down the rivers Hogol, Gomor, Durgaduani, Bidya and Gumdi, looking out for some of the six different species of kingfishers that we might find! After lunch at the Sunderbans Jungle Camp on the island of Bali, we will head out by boat and visit the Mangrove Interpretation Centre at Sajnekhali, and return via the Sudhyanakhali watchtower.
Our three full days in the Sundarbans will involve lots more exploration of this vast area by boat. This will include the canopied walk at Dobanki, where we will hope to find Mangrove Whistler in the mangroves. We will also visit the furthest point that we can easily access, Netidhopani, where we will spend some time scanning from the watchtower. Whilst we will need some luck to come across one of the famous swimming tigers of the Sunderbans, we should definitely find some impressive basking Estuarine Crocodiles and maybe the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphins.
We leave back to Kolkata after lunch today, and the morning will be flexible depending on our successes over the previous days. The island village of Bali is well worth a stroll: as well as the villagers fishing, weaving and boat-making, we may see one of the resident Barn Owls roosting in a village hut!
Locations & map
- Sundarbans - West Bengal India (Conditions vary by season and exact route.)
Included
- Experienced local birding guide support - Exact guide assignment to confirm.
- Tour services described in the confirmed itinerary - Final inclusions are set in the operator quotation.
Not included
- International flights - Not included.
- Visa, travel insurance and personal expenses - Traveller responsibility.
Transport & stays
- Private ground transport and domestic connections Exact vehicle, flight and transfer plan to confirm for the chosen itinerary. | Pickup: Airport or hotel pickup where included in the confirmed plan.
Policies & FAQ
Can this tour be arranged privately?
Yes. Bubo Birding states that its published itineraries can be arranged as private trips, with dates and details tailored to the group.
Are the price and itinerary final?
No. Current availability, group assumptions, accommodation, exact routing and the final quotation should be confirmed after sending an inquiry through BirdWatch.info.