Similipal National Park Weather And Best Time To Visit Similipal National Park

One of the largest wildlife reserves in the country, Simlipal National Park is situated in the Mayurbhanj district of north-eastern Orissa and is one of the key attractions of the state. What was once simply the hunting grounds for the royals of Mayurbhanj is now one of the most important tiger conservation programs in India and is home to 99 Bengal tigers, 430 elephants, and hundreds of other species of birds and animals.

While there are accommodation facilities available within the park, visitors usually choose to stay in the nearby town of Baripada, which has considerably better options than the park. The park remains open between the months of November to June, making these months the only time in the year when one can travel to Simlipal. Detailed below is an account on the best time to visit Simlipal National Park, and how its weather fares during the open months.

The open months of Simlipal National Park lie predominantly in the winter months; with a cool and pleasant climate that lasts all season, this is undoubtedly the best time to visit the park. The temperature rarely climbs higher than 25⁰C, with the lowest temperature averaging around 14⁰C. The rich variety of flora and fauna is also better appreciated in this season; the good weather brings the animals out into the open where there’s a better chance of observing these creatures in their natural habitat.

The hot summer months in this part of the state do not make for a good time to visit Simlipal. It is not uncommon for the temperature to rise above 40⁰C, with afternoons experiencing a sweltering weather all through the summers. While the park is open up till May, the animals are rarely seen out in the open due to the extreme temperatures. The monsoons bring some relief from the heat, but the National Park remains closed during these months from June to September.