Imagine this. You’re not in a jeep. You’re in a wooden boat, silently cruising through emerald green channels, surrounded by tangled roots and ghost trees, when suddenly... a pair of glowing eyes flash from the bank — and vanish.

Welcome to the Sundarbans.

Where land and water don’t have borders, and the wild?

It’s always watching you.

Where Is It?

• Located in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, near the Bay of Bengal

• Forms part of the Sundarbans Delta, which stretches into Bangladesh

• Covers about 4,200 sq km in India (larger combined with the Bangladesh side)

• Lies at the confluence of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers

This is the largest estuarine mangrove ecosystem in the world.

Yes, the largest. Let that sink in.

UNESCO World Heritage Status

• Inscribed: 1987

• Type: Natural Site

• Why?

“Sundarbans is a unique ecosystem with immense biodiversity, a vital tiger habitat, and the only place in the world where tigers are known to thrive in mangrove forests.” In short — it’s wild, rare, and irreplaceable. 

Wildlife – Rare, Elusive, and Purely Wild

Sundarbans isn’t about spotting 10 animals in 1 hour.

It’s about respecting the mystery.

Royal Bengal Tiger

• ~100 tigers in the Indian side

• Known as “swimming tigers”

• They hunt fish, crabs, even swim between islands

• Shy, elusive — but leave pugmarks on mud trails

Other Fauna

• Saltwater crocodiles (yes, real dinosaurs)

• Fishing cats, leopard cats, wild boar, monitor lizards

• Smooth-coated otters playing in creeks

• Spotted deer — their calls often warn of tiger presence

Birdlife Galore

• Kingfishers, eagles, herons, storks, black-capped kingfisher, white-bellied sean eagle

• Migratory birds in winter — from far north, like Siberia

Reptiles

• Pythons, water monitor lizards, and several snakes

• Cobra fans? This is home turf.

What Makes Sundarbans So Special?

This isn’t your typical green forest. This is mangrove madness.

Mangroves

• 78 species of mangrove plants

• Trees like Sundari (which gives the forest its name), Gewa, Dhundul

• They grow in salty, muddy, tidal zones

• Roots grow above ground to breathe — they look like claws grabbing the air

Tidal Drama

• Entire forest goes underwater and emerges again, every 6 hours

• High tide? It’s a swampy maze

• Low tide? Mudflats, crab colonies, and tiger trails appear

Safari? By Boat, Baby!

There are no roads inside Sundarbans National Park.

No cars. No jeeps. Just boats and bravery.

Boat Safari (6–8 hours)

• Starts from Gosaba or Godkhali

• Takes you through narrow creeks, mud banks, and watchtowers

• Watch for pugmarks, croc eyes, and splashy fish drama

Important Watch Towers:

• Sajnekhali – main tourism hub, watch tower, mangrove interpretation centre

• Sudhanyakhali – best tiger sighting chance

• Dobanki – elevated canopy walk, views of rivers and forest

• Netidhopani – legend has it a temple lies inside, now reclaimed by the forest

Best Photo Moments

• Sunrise mist over the creeks

• A tiger pugmark in the slush

• Reflections of mangrove roots in still water

• A crocodile snoozing beside the riverbank

• Flocks of egrets flying past your boat

Tip: Silent photography = better sightings. Leave the music and drone at home.

What to Eat in the Land of Water?

At your lodge:

• Simple Bengali meals: rice, dal, fried fish, veggies

• Try ilish (hilsa) or chitol maach if fresh

• Luchi and aloor dum for breakfast — soul food

• Lots of mustard oil, green chilli, and love

There are no eateries inside the forest — everything is packed and carried.

How to Reach?

Base: Gosaba / Godkhali, West Bengal

By Air:

• Nearest airport: Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport)

• From Kolkata to Godkhali (via car/cab): ~3–4 hours

By Train:

• Train to Canning from Sealdah, then drive to Godkhali ferry ghat

From Godkhali:

• Take a ferry to Gosaba

• From Gosaba: boat to Sajnekhali and forest lodges

The journey is half the adventure.

Where to Stay?

Eco-Lodges & Forest Guest Houses

• Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge (WBTDC) – close to the action

• Sundarban Jungle Camp (Ballygunge) – great eco-stay

• Tiger Camp Resort – rustic but scenic

Pro Tips:

• Book stays early, especially Oct–March

• Most packages include food, guide, boat, permits

Best Time to Visit?

• November to March – cool, dry, pleasant

• Monsoon (July–Sept) – – closed, rough tides

• Summer (April–June) – humid, but fewer crowds

Entry & Permit Info

• Park entry fee: ₹60 (Indian), ₹200 (Foreigner)

• Guide and boat fee extra

• Camera fee: ₹200–₹400

• You need forest department permission – most lodges arrange it

Final Thoughts – In the Land of Tides and Tigers

Sundarbans isn’t a zoo.

It’s a living, breathing mystery — where land dissolves, water rules, and tigers might be watching you from the trees.

It tells us:

• That not all jungles are green — some are muddy, ghostly, and surreal

• That survival is beautiful

• And that the wild doesn’t always need to be seen to be felt

With Nadodigal, we don’t just ride the tide — we listen to it, with wide eyes, salty air in our lungs, and prayers of respect in our hearts.