As we cool down comfortably on the solar deck of our luxurious catamaran, the MV Brahmani, we hear the shouts of the boat captain from down under. “Crocodile! Crocodile relaxing!” He virtually sounds too jubilant for having noticed the principally terror-inducing, but fascinating reptile. We look out over the waters on our proper and positive sufficient, spot our first crocodile. Much like us, the crocodile is sunning itself on the muddy banks of the river.
Saltwater crocodiles might be seen sunning themselves on mudflats
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The second largest mangrove system in India after the Sunderbans, the Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha is dwelling to many crocodiles in the creeks and estuaries of the Brahmani-Baitarani river programs, in addition to migratory birds, and a host of different flora and fauna. While the park is accessible by highway, we’re exploring the area by water — on a luxurious catamaran by Antara River Cruises.
The vessels come totally furnished with two bedrooms, loos and a eating area in entrance, along with the solar deck furnished with snug chairs. The boats are greatest fitted to teams of 4 (priced at ₹25,000 per individual for 2 nights inclusive of meals) who might be accomodated in the two bedrooms. Locals from the space workers the fleet of 4 catamarans, and are solely too happy to speak 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 see it,” certainly one of them cheerily informs us.
Declared a Ramsar website (a wetland of nationwide significance) in 2002, we study that there are round 1,700 saltwater crocodiles that have been counted in the final census which passed off in January 2024. The dense mangrove right here contains 82 species and host birds by way of the 12 months which embody purple herons, evening herons, pied harriers, grey-headed lapwings, eagles and owls.
Spotted deer are a widespread sighting at the nationwide 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 absorb the calm waters and orange hued skies at sundown, we stay alert, for sightings of extra crocodiles on the mudflats. We additionally spot herds of noticed deer frolicking by the banks, whereas additionally holding a watch out for attainable otter and dolphin sightings.
When the catamaran lastly anchors for the evening, we’re immensely grateful for 2 issues — the air con onboard given the sweltering early summer time warmth, and bhetki fish on the menu for dinner. Bhetki, which is barramundi or Asian sea bass, is a well-liked fixture on the menu and all meals onboard characteristic contemporary catch and native delicacies, together with the well-liked Odisha dessert chennapooda. Three meals are served onboard, at a cosy eating area in entrance of the rooms and the menu has the ordinary favourites — eggs, toast, poha, parathas for breakfast, roti, subzi, meat and greens for lunch in addition to continental choices equivalent to grilled fish and mashed potatoes.
The sundeck on the luxurious catamaran
| Photo Credit:
S Poorvaja
The prospect of recognizing extra crocodiles has us cautiously excited the following day, as we set sail and anchor close to the entrance of the Bhitarkanika National Park which homes the Crocodile Hatchery and Rearing Programme.
It is right here that we actually get to expertise the thick of all of it; strolling instantly into the mangrove forest by navigating a wood bridge that has been constructed to behave as a dwelling observatory deck. We hear hen calls, maintain wanting up at the mangrove cover above us, and clutch the railings each time we take a have a look at what lies under. Unfortunately, the crocodiles stay elusive; none of them has ventured out to see a social gathering of 10 cautiously stroll overhead.
At our vacation spot nevertheless, there are a variety of child crocodiles in enclosures, swimming fortunately or sunning themselves. The Saltwater Crocodile Research and Conservation Project was established at Dangmal with the goal of rearing and releasing crocodiles into the wild, and there are separate enclosures exhibiting the life-cycle of a crocodile from the hatching stage. The park can be dwelling to a uncommon albino crocodile, named Gori, and we study that efforts to mate her have confirmed to be futile. Gori now lives by herself in an enclosure, an impartial queen.
The dense mangrove at Bhitarkanika
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
With many little creeks and estuaries, we go on to discover the mangrove system in a smaller boat, by way of a sluggish, two-hour journey. Armed with binoculars, we spot birds in the branches of timber, and a lot to our delight, handle to catch sight of a child crocodile peacefully sunning itself on a small department, earlier than gracefully turning over and falling straight into the water with a little splash.
The catamarans see a bulk of their vacationer visitors between October and February. “From May 1 to the end of July, the park is closed because that is the time the crocodiles typically breed. We see an influx of birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts start coming in during August and later,” Sanghamitra says, as she guides us again to our catamarans. After a day of exploring the mangroves in the searing warmth and unabating humidity, we fortunately take the shikanji, a chilly lemon flavoured drink we’re welcomed again onboard with.
Afternoons throughout the cruise are greatest spent in the cool confines of the cabin, on the solar deck, or for the extra adventurous travellers, a jungle stroll at Shikhar Kothi, the place a cover of leaves and branches is a welcome defend from the warmth. We are informed that recognizing snakes together with pythons are fairly widespread in the space.
When the catamaran as soon as once more units sail throughout sundown, the views don’t really feel repetitive or tiresome. There is a calmness that settles on the water as the skies flip orange and then a sluggish inky blue. We as soon as once more maintain our eyes educated on the mudflats, usually pausing to admire the smaller creeks and channels that we sail by. This languorous cruise is greatest loved on the solar deck, binoculars in a single hand for croc-spotting, and a plate of night pakodas and tea in the different.
The author was at the Antara River Cruises, Bhitarkanika on invitation from RARE India
Published – April 25, 2025 05:21 pm IST
