About this location
Tikarpada sits at the heart of the dramatic Satkosia gorge, where the Mahanadi river cuts through the Eastern Ghats — one of the best places in India to see mugger crocodiles and gharial basking on river sandbanks from a boat.
Species You Can Photograph in Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary
Best season guide
Peak photography conditions typically align with Jan–Dec. Add buffer days for weather and park closures.
JanExcellent
FebExcellent
MarExcellent
AprGood
MayOff-season
JunOff-season
JulOff-season
AugOff-season
SepOff-season
OctGood
NovExcellent
DecExcellent
Safari Zones
Satkosia is visited through a few tourist points spread along the Mahanadi gorge rather than numbered safari zones. Tourist vehicles enter through the Pampasar, Chhamundia and Kusanga gates. Tikarpada is best known for the river gorge and gharial and mugger; Purunakote and Chhotkei are forest bases with nature camps.
Tourist point
| Zone |
|---|
| Tikarpada |
| Purunakote |
| Chhotkei |
How to Reach
- Nearest airport
- Bhubaneswar (Biju Patnaik) Airport (~150 km)
- Nearest railway station
- Angul (~60 km)
By Air
Bhubaneswar (Biju Patnaik) Airport is the nearest airport, about 150 km away. Continue by taxi or pre-booked cab.
By Rail
Angul is the nearest railway station, about 60 km away. Taxis and autos cover the last stretch.
By Road
Tikarpada, on the Mahanadi gorge, is about 150 km from Bhubaneswar and ~60 km from Angul. Purunakote and Chhotkei are on the northern side, reached via Angul.
Expert Wildlife Creators in Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary
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Available trips
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Recent Wildlife Sightings
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Photography tips for Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary
Boat safaris through the Satkosia gorge are the highlight — gharial and mugger crocodile basking sites line the river, with forest walks available on the banks.
Conservation: Sits within the wider Satkosia Tiger Reserve landscape and hosts an active gharial conservation and release program on the Mahanadi.
More in Odisha
- Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Balimela Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhitarkanika National Park
- Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary
- Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
- Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mangalajodi
- Nandankanan Zoological Park
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve
- Simlipal National Park
Species guides