Why Odisha is One of India's Best Wildlife Safari Destinations
Odisha contains more wildlife sanctuaries than most travellers realise with car rental in Bhubaneswar. The state has 19 wildlife sanctuaries, 2 national parks, and 2 tiger reserves spread across diverse ecosystems from dense sal forests and elephant corridors in the north to mangrove wetlands and crocodile habitats along the coast. Each ecosystem is dramatically different from the next, which makes an Odisha wildlife safari genuinely rewarding across multiple visits.
What makes Odisha particularly well-suited to a self drive road trip is access. Unlike national parks in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh where private vehicles must stop at the gate, most of Odisha’s sanctuaries allow private vehicles on approach roads, and the highways connecting them are well-maintained and manageable for a standard car rental. From Bhubaneswar, you can reach Satkosia in under 3 hours, Bhitarkanika in 4 to 5 hours, and Simlipal in 5 to 6 hours all in a single car with flexible timing.
Rideez Car provides self drive vehicles from Bhubaneswar with free doorstep delivery. Every car is brand new or rigorously maintained and comes with 24/7 roadside assistance important on remote forest routes where public transport is absent and breakdowns need immediate support.
Odisha Wildlife Sanctuaries: Distance and Drive Time from Bhubaneswar
Use this table to plan your route. All distances are road distances. Drive times assume standard highway speeds without major stops.
Sanctuary / Destination | Distance from Bhubaneswar | Drive Time | Best Rideez Car |
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary | ~140 km via NH-55 | 2.5 to 3 hrs | i20, Baleno, Swift, Ertiga |
Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary | ~25 km from city centre | 45 mins | Any hatchback or sedan |
Bhitarkanika National Park | ~200 km via NH-316 | 4 to 5 hrs | Exter, Fronx, Ertiga, Carens |
Simlipal Tiger Reserve | ~270 km via NH-49 | 5 to 6 hrs | Thar, Creta, XUV 500 |
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary | ~320 km via NH-55 | 5.5 to 6.5 hrs | Creta, XUV 500, Ertiga |
Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary | ~340 km via Phulbani | 6 to 7 hrs | Thar, XUV 500, Creta |
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary | ~250 km via Balasore | 4.5 to 5 hrs | Fronx, Creta, Ertiga |
PRO TIP: Satkosia is ideal for a weekend trip. Bhitarkanika works well as a 2-day itinerary. Simlipal requires a minimum 3-day plan. Book your Rideez Car at least 24 hours in advance for all overnight trips.
Simlipal Tiger Reserve: Odisha's Crown Wildlife Destination
Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district is Odisha’s most famous wildlife destination and one of India’s largest tiger reserves at over 2,750 square kilometres with Mahindra Thar self drive Bhubaneswar. It is home to the world’s only confirmed population of hyperpigmented black tigers, alongside significant numbers of Asian elephants, gaurs, leopards, sambar deer, and over 300 bird species. The reserve has two main entry gates – Pithabata in the south and Jashipur in the north – and the Chahala and Barehipani-Joranda trails are the most popular.
The landscape shifts dramatically as you drive deeper into Simlipal. Dense sal and mixed deciduous forest gives way to grassland meadows and eventually to the plateau zone near Barehipani Falls. The falls themselves are among the tallest in India and visible only with an overnight permit. Simlipal is also one of the few tiger reserves in India where visitors can experience elephant-back safaris in designated zones.
Road Trip from Bhubaneswar to Simlipal
Distance: approximately 270 km. Route: Bhubaneswar to Baripada via NH-49, then NH-20 towards Jashipur or the Pithabata gate. Road quality is excellent until Baripada; the final 40 km to the gate transitions to a narrower state highway. Allow 5 to 6 hours including a fuel stop.
Best Rideez Car for Simlipal
Traveller Type | Recommended Car | Why |
Solo / Couple | Maruti Swift or Hyundai i20 | Fuel-efficient on long highway. Easy on forest approach roads. Best value. |
Family of 4-5 | Hyundai Creta | Best ground clearance in 5-seater segment. Boot space for luggage and gear. Comfortable on 6-hour drive. |
Adventure / Off-road | Mahindra Thar | Highest ground clearance in fleet. Diesel engine ideal for long routes. Best for buffer zone forest roads. |
Group of 6-7 | Mahindra XUV 500 | 7-seater with diesel engine. Handles rough terrain and carries full family luggage. |
Book Thar self drive for Simlipal: Thar self drive rental Bhubaneswar & Book Creta self drive for Simlipal: Creta self drive Bhubaneswar
Bhitarkanika National Park: Crocodiles, Mangroves and Coastal Wildlife
Bhitarkanika is Odisha’s second largest mangrove ecosystem and one of India’s most important crocodilian habitats with XUV 500 self drive Bhubaneswar. The national park holds the highest density of saltwater crocodiles in India, with over 1,700 individuals recorded in the Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi delta waterways. The adjacent Gahirmatha beach is the world’s largest Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting site, with mass nesting events (Arribada) drawing thousands of turtles annually from November to March.
The wildlife experience at Bhitarkanika is fundamentally different from Simlipal. The primary activity is boat safari through the mangrove channels – you watch crocodiles sunning on mudbanks, spot kingfishers, herons, and egrets in the canopy, and occasionally encounter monitor lizards and fishing cats. The Dangamal forest rest house and Bhitarkanika nature camp are popular overnight options.
Road Trip from Bhubaneswar to Bhitarkanika
Distance: approximately 200 km. Route: Bhubaneswar to Kendrapara via NH-316, then towards Rajnagar and the Khola jetty. The highway drive is smooth and straightforward; the final stretch from Rajnagar to the jetty can be narrow in parts. Total drive time 4 to 5 hours.
Best Rideez Car for Bhitarkanika
Bhitarkanika roads are predominantly good highway. A compact car or compact SUV is easier to park at the jetty points than a larger SUV. The Hyundai Exter (automatic petrol) and Maruti Fronx are the most practical choices for couples and small families on this route. For groups of 6 or 7, the Maruti Ertiga or Kia Carens are comfortable on the flat coastal highway and offer the space needed for camera equipment and luggage.
Book 7 seater car rental for Bhitarkanika: 7 seater car rental Bhubaneswar
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary: Odisha's Closest Wildlife Escape from Bhubaneswar
Satkosia is the most accessible major wildlife sanctuary from Bhubaneswar at just 140 km via NH-55. The sanctuary sits along the Mahanadi River where it cuts through the Eastern Ghats, forming dramatic gorges that give the sanctuary its name – Sat (seven) Kosia (gorge bends). The forest is home to gharials, mugger crocodiles, leopards, wolves, four-horned antelopes, and over 150 bird species including the rare Indian Skimmer.
The OFDC nature camps at Tikarpara and Chhotkei sit directly on the Mahanadi riverbank and offer one of Odisha’s most immersive nature stays. Boat safaris are the main wildlife activity; early morning trips have the best chances of gharial and bird sightings. Satkosia is perfect for a weekend self drive trip from Bhubaneswar the highway is smooth and the drive is under 3 hours.
Road Trip from Bhubaneswar to Satkosia
Distance: approximately 140 km via NH-55 through Boudh. Road condition is good throughout. Drive time 2.5 to 3 hours. This is the easiest full-day or overnight wildlife trip from Bhubaneswar.
Best Rideez Car for Satkosia
Any car in the Rideez Car fleet handles this route comfortably. For couples: Swift, i20, or Baleno. For families of 4 to 5: Hyundai Creta or Maruti Fronx. For groups: Kia Carens or Ertiga. The road to Tikarpara is well-maintained and does not require high ground clearance.
Book self drive car for weekend trip from Bhubaneswar: self drive car rental in Bhubaneswar
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries in Odisha Worth Visiting by Self Drive
Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary: The Forest Within Bhubaneswar
Chandaka Dampara is one of India’s few urban wildlife sanctuaries, located just 20 to 25 km from Bhubaneswar city centre with self drive car rental in Bhubaneswar. The sanctuary is an elephant reserve with a resident population and serves as a natural buffer between Bhubaneswar and the Athagarh forests. Chandaka is ideal for a half-day self drive trip – any car from the Rideez Car fleet works for this route.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Sambalpur’s Hidden Forest
Debrigarh covers the hills around Hirakud Reservoir in Sambalpur district, approximately 320 km from Bhubaneswar. The sanctuary supports wolves, leopards, sloth bears, and significant herds of chital and sambar. The drive from Bhubaneswar via NH-55 takes 5.5 to 6.5 hours. A diesel SUV like the Creta or XUV 500 is recommended for this longer route.
Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary: The Elephant Corridor of South Odisha
Karlapat near Phulbani in Kandhamal district is a remote elephant sanctuary roughly 340 km from Bhubaneswar. The forest terrain is challenging and the roads beyond Phulbani become rough in sections. The Mahindra Thar or XUV 500 are the most capable vehicles for this route from Rideez Car’s fleet.
Mayurbhanj District : Multiple Destinations in One Trip
Mayurbhanj district in northern Odisha is Odisha’s wildlife heartland. Beyond Simlipal, the district includes Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary and multiple eco camps. Road travel from Bhubaneswar through Baripada opens access to the entire northern wildlife circuit. A 3-day self drive itinerary combining Simlipal and Kuldiha is feasible with a 7-seater car from Rideez Car for groups.
Rideez Car Fleet Guide for Odisha Wildlife Safari Trips
Hatchbacks – Best for Short Safari Trips and Solo Travel
1) Maruti Swift | Rs.1,699/day | Manual Petrol | Ideal for Satkosia, Chandaka, Baripada drives
2) Hyundai i20 Petrol | Rs.1,799/day | Manual Petrol | City to sanctuary drives up to 300 km
3) Maruti Ignis | Rs.1,599/day | Manual Petrol | Most affordable option in fleet
4)Hyundai i10 Nios Automatic | Rs.1,699/day | Automatic Petrol | Easy driving for first-time self drivers
View hatchback rentals: hatchback self drive car Bhubaneswar
Compact SUVs – Best for Families and Medium-Distance Routes
1) Hyundai Creta | Rs.2,799/day | Manual Petrol | Best all-rounder for Simlipal and Bhitarkanika
2) Hyundai Exter | Rs.1,899/day | Automatic Petrol | Comfortable coastal drive to Bhitarkanika
3) Maruti Fronx Automatic | Rs.1,999/day | Automatic Petrol | Smooth long-distance drive
4) Hyundai Venue | Rs.2,399/day | Manual Petrol | Feature-rich, comfortable on forest routes
View SUV rentals: SUV self drive Bhubaneswar
7 Seater Cars – Best for Group and Multi-day Safaris
1) Maruti Ertiga | Rs.2,499/day | Manual Petrol | Most popular for family wildlife trips
2) Kia Carens | Rs.2,999/day | Manual Petrol | Premium 7-seater with advanced features
3) Mahindra XUV 500 | Rs.3,499/day | Manual Diesel | Best for remote rough-terrain routes
Book 7 seater car rental Bhubaneswar: 7 seater self drive rental
Mahindra Thar – For Off-road and Adventure Safari
The Thar is Rideez Car’s premium adventure vehicle and the most capable option for forest terrain. Manual diesel transmission, highest ground clearance in the fleet, and purpose-built for rough roads. Best suited for Simlipal buffer zone, Karlapat, and Debrigarh routes where forest road conditions vary.
Price: Rs.3,499/day | Book: Thar self drive rental Bhubaneswar
Responsible Wildlife Travel in Odisha: What Every Driver Must Know
Odisha’s wildlife sanctuaries require responsible driving behaviour. These are active wildlife corridors and not tourist parks. Follow these guidelines on every self drive safari trip:
1) Observe the sanctuary speed limit at all times. Most forest roads in Odisha have a 20 to 30 km/h limit inside the core zone.
2) Turn off headlights when stopping near water bodies or at dusk. Artificial light disturbs crocodiles and birds during nesting and feeding.
3) Do not reverse abruptly or honk on forest roads. Sudden sounds disorient wildlife on approach roads.
4) Carry your vehicle documents, Aadhaar, and sanctuary permit at all times. Forest checkpoints will inspect both.
5) Never leave the vehicle in non-designated areas inside the sanctuary. Tiger and elephant corridors have active wildlife movement.
6) Do not litter inside sanctuary boundaries. Carry all packaging back to your vehicle.
How to Book Your Odisha Safari Car from Rideez Car
Booking takes under 2 minutes online. Follow these steps:
1) Go to rideezcarrental.com and click Book a Rental
2) Select your preferred car from the fleet page
3) Enter your pickup date, time, and Bhubaneswar delivery address
Contact | Detail |
Phone | +91-7008330082 (24/7) |
carrentalrideez@gmail.com | |
Address | Kamal Plaza, Plot No-522, Nandan Kanan – Patia Station Road, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024 |
Operating hours | 24/7 – 365 days |
Book Your Safari Car from Rideez Car : Free doorstep delivery across Bhubaneswar | Rs.1,599/day onwards | 4.8 rated | 70,000+ customers
Book Now: Book a self drive car at Rideez Car
Frequently Asked Questions: Odisha Wildlife Safari by Self Drive Car
The Mahindra Thar is the best option for Simlipal due to its ground clearance and capability on forest approach roads. For families, the Hyundai Creta or Mahindra XUV 500 are recommended for comfort over the 5 to 6 hour drive and space for luggage and photography gear. All three are available at Rideez Car with free doorstep delivery in Bhubaneswar.
Bhitarkanika National Park is approximately 200 km from Bhubaneswar via NH-316 through Kendrapara district. Drive time is 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic. A Rideez Car self drive rental is the most flexible and comfortable way to make this trip, giving you complete control over your timing for the boat safari schedule.
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary is approximately 140 km from Bhubaneswar and is the best option for a day trip or weekend stay. The drive takes 2.5 to 3 hours via NH-55. The OFDC nature camp at Tikarpara on the Mahanadi riverbank is bookable online and makes for an excellent 2-day self drive itinerary from Bhubaneswar.
Yes. Rideez Car offers multi-day self drive rentals with no additional charges for extended duration. You can book a car for 2, 3, 4, or more days at the same daily rate. Monthly rentals are also available for extended wildlife tourism or research travel across Odisha. Contact +91-7008330082 for multi-day booking assistance.
You need a valid driving licence , an Aadhaar card or PAN card for identity verification, and a refundable security deposit that varies by car model. All documents can be submitted digitally at the time of booking through the Rideez Car website. No lengthy paperwork or in-person visits required.
Yes. All Rideez Car rentals include 24/7 roadside assistance across Odisha. Our team responds to breakdowns on forest routes including Simlipal, Bhitarkanika, and Satkosia approach roads. Call +91-7008330082 immediately in any emergency and our team will coordinate assistance. Do not attempt to push or repair the vehicle in active wildlife zones.
Odisha has 19 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 national parks. The major ones accessible by self drive road trip from Bhubaneswar include: Simlipal Tiger Reserve (Mayurbhanj), Bhitarkanika National Park (Kendrapara), Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary (Angul), Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary (Khordha, 25 km from Bhubaneswar), Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Sambalpur), Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary (Kalahandi), Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary (Balasore), and Tikarpada (Mahanadi crocodile sanctuary). Rideez Car serves all routes from Bhubaneswar.
October to February is the best window for most Odisha wildlife destinations. Simlipal is fully open from November to June (closed July to October for monsoon). Bhitarkanika is best visited between November and March when Olive Ridley nesting peaks and crocodile sightings are highest. Satkosia is accessible year-round. Book your Rideez Car early during peak season - October to March sees high demand for multi-day rentals.
