Spread over an area of 750 km, Satkosia Sanctuary consists of Baisipalli Sanctuary and Satkosia George Sanctuary. It covers districts like Cuttack, Angul, Boudh and Nayagarh. It is located at the river trail of Mahanadi. The name ‘Satkosia’ originates from ‘sat’ and ‘kosk’ meaning 7 and 2 miles respectively. Thus, collectively taken, ‘Satkosia‘ refers to the entire length of the gorge which stretches for 14 miles. The interesting tourist spots in Satkosia are Angul, Talcher, Bhimakhand, Khuludi and Gopalprasad.
The thick deciduous forest provides a natural abode to an array of animals and birds. Animals like tiger,leopard, elephant, four-horned antelope, mouse deer; reptiles like gharial, crocodile, fresh water turtle, snakes; and more than hundred species of birds - all add to the popularity of Satkosia Sanctuary as a famous spot for adventure tourism. Moreover, Satkosia Sanctuary was awarded the status of a tiger reserve front in the year 2007, which has further increased Satkosia tours and travels.
Apart from the rich wildlife resource another attraction of Satkosia tour is the Nature Camp at Tikiapara. These camps provide a real flavor of adventure tourism. A night at the forest, in the tent, beside Mahanadi river, amidst wild animals, with no cell phone connections, no power supply make it an ideal spot for adventure tourism. The tents are comfortably furnished with beds, blankets and toilet facilities. However the numbers of tents are limited to 10 only, in order to secure the eeriness of the jungle and prevent it from being overcrowded. Each tent accommodates two people at a time.
In addition to this, there are a number of other activities to indulge in. The jungle in Purankot is another hot-spot for tourists. Situated at a 10 km distance from Tikiapra, this dense jungle is ideal for short treks. The watch tower at Hati Girja is another must-visit destination. It provides a typical jungle sun-setting experience as well as easy animal viewing to the tourists. Kandhaida is the favourite hideout of tigers. Labangi is also famous for providing a breath-taking view of the entire forest. Furthermore, it also has a guest house for the tourists. Seetalpani and Bheemdhara are widely visited for streams and waterfalls. Finally, there is also a provision of a ‘Night Safari’ at the jungle. This final experience is once-in-a-lifetime for admirers of adventure tourism. The eerie silence, the occasional howling of animals, the dense forest, wet surface – all provide for a perfect forest fantasy.
Orissa Government has taken various initiatives to ensure tourist satisfaction in Satkosia Sanctuary. Orissa Tourism Development Corporation run buses to the Sanctuary from Athagarh, encouraging Satkosia tours. Bhubaneshwar Airport is the nearest airport and Angul Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Expert tour guides, gentle boat rides, warm localites make an unique adventure tourism experience. October to February is a favourable time for tourists. However December and January are regarded to be the best time for visit. A scary dense forest coupled with modern facilities make Satkosia Sanctuary a rare experience for adventure tourists.
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