At the bhitarkanika national park, set sail and spot a crocodile

As we settle down comfortable on the Sun Deck of our luxury catamaran, the mV brahmani, we hear the shouts of the boat captain from down below. “Crocodile! Crocodile Relaxing!” He almost sounds too Jubilant for Having Spotted The Mostly Terror-Inducing, Yet Fascinating Reporte. We look out over the watters on our right and sure enough, Spot our first crocodile. Much Like Us, The Crocodile is Sunning Itself on the Muddy Banks of the River.

Saltwater crocodiles can be seen sunning themselves on mudflats | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Second Larges Mangrove System in India after the Sunderbans, The Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha is home to many crocodiles in the creeks and estuaries of the Brahmani-Baitarani River Systems, As Well Migratory birds, and a host of other flora and fauna. While the park is accessible by road, we are exploring the region by water – on a luxury catamaran by antara river cruises.

The vessels come fully furnished with two bedroms, bathroom and a dining space in front, in addition to the Sun Deck Furnished With Comfortable Chaairs. The boats are best suited for groups of four Locals from the area staff the fleet of four catamarans, and are only Too please to chat about their favorite crocodile sightings. “There is one 23-foot crocodile that goes for a long morning swim. I hope all of you get to

Declared a ramsar site (a wetland of national importance) in 2002, we learn that there are around 1,700 saltwater crocodiles that was couted in the health census which keep place in january 2024. The dense Mangrove here Compresses 82 Species and Host Birds Through the Year Which Include Purple Herons, Night Herons, Pied Harriers, Grey-Headed Lapwings, Eagles and Owls.

Spotted Deer are a Common Sighting at the National Park | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“There is something here for everyone,” Says Sanghamitra Jena, Who Manages Operations. “Whether you are here to birdwatch and take pictures, explore the wildlife, walk through the forests, or simply laze Around on the catamaran and enjoy setting sail,” She Says. As we take in the calm waters and orange hued skies at sunset, we remain alert, for sightings of more crocodiles on the mudflats. We also spot herds of spotted deer frolyicking by the banks, while also keeping an eye out for possible otter and dolphin sightings.

When the catamaran finally anchors for the night, we are immensely Thankful for two things – the air conditioning onboard give the sweltering earlie summer heat, and bhetki fish on the menu for dinner. Bhetki, which is barramaundi or asian sea base, is a popular Ficture on the menu and all meals onboard feature fresh catch and local delicies, including the popular odisha desst ChennapoodaThree meals are served onboard, at a cosy dining space in front of the rooms and the menu has the usual boors As Continental Options Such as Grilled Fish and Mashed Potatoes.

The sundek on the luxury catamaran | Photo Credit: S Poorvaja

The Prospect of Spotting more crocodiles have us cautually excited the following day, as we set sail and anchor near the entrance of the Bhitarkanika National Park Which Houses The Crocodile Hatchry and Reringing Programs.

It is here that we truly get to experience the thick of all; Walking directly into the mangrove forest by navigating a wooden bridge We hear bird calls, keep looking up at the mangrove canopy about us, and clutch the railways every time we take a look at what lies below. Unfortunately, the crocodiles remain elusive; none of them has ventted out to see a party of 10 cautally walk overhead.

At our destination however, there are a number of baby crocodiles in enclosures, swimming happy or sunning themselves. The Saltwater Crocodile Research and Conservation Project was Estableized at Dangmal with the objective of rearing and release crocodiles into the wild, and there are separete ensusures shows the Life-CYCLALESURESURES ShOWING The Life-Cywing Crocodile from the Hatching Stage. The park is also home to a rare albino crocodile, named Gori, and we learn that efforts to mate her have proven to be futil. Gori Now Lives by Herself in an ENCLOSURE, An Independent Queen.

The dense mangrove at Bhitarkanika | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

With many little creeks and estuaries, we go on to explore the mangrove system in a smaller boat, through a slow, two-herour journey. Armed with binoculars, we spot birds in the branches of trees, and much to our delight, manage to catch sight of a baby crocodile peacefully peaceful Turning over and Falling Straight into the water with a little splash.

The catamarans see a bulk of their tourist guests between October and February. “From May 1 to the end of July, the park is closeed by that is the time the crocodiles typically breed. Sanghamitra says, as she guides us back to our catamarans. After a day of exploring the mangroves in the sending heat and unabating humidity, we thankfully take the shikanjiA Cold Lemon Flavoured Drink We are welcomed back onboard with.

Afternoons during the cruise are best spent in the cool confins of the cabin, on the Sun. shield from the heat. We are told that spotting snakes including pythons are Quite Common in the Area.

When the catamaran Once Again Sets Sail DURING SUNSET, The Views do not Feel Repetitive or Tiresome. There is a calmness that settles on the water as the skies turn orange and then a slow inky blue. We Once Again Keep Our Eyes Trained on the Mudflats, often Pausing to Admire the Smaller Creeks and Channels that we Sail by. This language cruise is best enjoyed on the sun deck, binoculars in one hand for croc-spotting, and a plate of Evening Pakodas and Tea in the other.

The writer was at the antara river cruises, bhitarkanika on invitation from rare india