Situated in the north-eastern part of the Kendrapara district of Orissa, the Bhitarkanika National Park is part of the much larger Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, marine life and varieties of avifauna. The sanctuary is also the second largest mangrove ecosystem in the country, with one of the largest populations of saltwater crocodiles – the flagship species of the park – in India.

The climate in the sanctuary region is broadly divided into the winter and summer season, with summers comprising of a couple of months of heavy monsoon rains as well. Here is an account of the best time to visit Bhitarkanika National Park so you can catch the best weather there.

When visiting a wildlife sanctuary, there is no better time to do so than when the animals are out and about. The wintertime in this region is best suited to visit Bhitarkanika and explore the diverse flora and fauna of the park while enjoying all the local attractions in the vicinity in pleasantly cool weather. The lowest temperature rarely goes below 16⁰C and the climate all through the season remains perfect for all outdoor activities. This is also the time when the migratory birds from Central Asia and Europe travel to this part of the state, which is an amazing opportunity for the bird watchers to explore the region as well.

The summer months are usually not the most ideal time to visit Bhitarkanika National Park. The early months of March and April are pleasant enough for a short trip, but the weather soon gets considerably hot to enjoy much of any outdoor activity in the park. After the monsoons set in, the park is washed down by the rain and appears even more beautiful surrounded by greenery and a vibrant environment. However, it remains closed from 14^th May to 31^st July. After reopening, the rains persist well into the month of September, making this an unsuitable time to visit the park.