National park · Bangladesh
Sundarbans National Parkসুন্দরবন জাতীয় উদ্যান
Enter the Sundarbans for a 2‑day boat safari: book a licensed guide and obtain the required entry permit; start from Khulna early, avoid the monsoon (June‑Sept) and bring water.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10,500 km² (4,054 sq mi)4,054 sq mi (10,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bangladesh ↗Apply for a visa only on the official government e-visa portal or at an embassy; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules differ by nationality.
- Bangladesh ↗Dress modestly in cities and near mosques: cover shoulders and knees, and women carry a scarf for mosques and shrines.
- Bangladesh ↗Carry Bangladeshi taka in small notes; rickshaws, markets and small shops are cash-only, and foreign cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Bangladesh ↗Political rallies, strikes (hartal) and blockades can close roads and cut mobile internet with little notice: check the news and your hotel before any transfer day and stay away from demonstrations.
At a glance
- Country
- Bangladesh
- Area
- 10,500 km² (4,054 sq mi)4,054 sq mi (10,500 km²)
- Area given as about 10,500 km² for the whole Bangladeshi Sundarbans (≈ 4,055 sq mi); park boundary specifics vary (check).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Sundarbans National Park protects the world’s largest mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for Bengal tigers, salt‑water crocodiles and a complex network of tidal waterways accessed only by boat.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1997Sundarbans mangrove forest (UNESCO inscription).
Size and age
10,500 km² (4,054 sq mi)4,054 sq mi (10,500 km²) · national park since 1997
Area given as about 10,500 km² for the whole Bangladeshi Sundarbans (≈ 4,055 sq mi); park boundary specifics vary (check).
Why go
- World‑class mangrove ecosystem with Bengal tigers and salt‑water crocodiles.
- Boat‑based wildlife spotting on tidal channels.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good wildlife viewing.
- FebCool, dry; low crowd levels.
- MarTransition to hot; still dry.
- AprHeat rises, early rains possible.
- MayHot, start of pre‑monsoon showers.
- JunMonsoon season, heavy rain, boat limits.
- JulPeak monsoon, flooding risk.
- AugPeak monsoon, poor visibility.
- SepMonsoon still active.
- OctPost‑monsoon, cooler, clear waters.
- NovDry, comfortable temperatures.
- DecDry, cool, good for boat trips.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tigerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Salt‑water crocodileOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Spotted deerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Gangetic river dolphinOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Khulna
Bus or train to Khulna, then hire a boat from the Khulna river jetty to Hiron Point.
check
From Dhaka
Domestic flight to Jessore or Khulna, then follow Khulna route.
check
Open the page →
From Mongla
Boat from Mongla port to Hiron Point.
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Khulna entry gate | Permit office, basic facilities, launch point for boats. | Open with permit. |
| Hiron Point | Main wildlife‑watching base, tiger spotting area. | Boat access, guide required. |
| Tin Kona Island | Bird‑watching and mangrove walk. | Boat day‑trip. |
| Katka | Bird‑watching, crocodile sighting area. | Boat day‑trip. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the Bangladeshi Sundarbans (check).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided 2‑day boat safari | BDT 15,000–20,000 | person | Typical package price (Dec 2018, check for current rates). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sundarbans entry permit permit or guide
Guided trek/boat permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must hold a valid entry permit; purchase at Khulna office.
- Guides
- A licensed guide is required for any boat or land activity beyond the gate.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no open fires.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
- Wildlife interaction
- No feeding or approaching animals; maintain distance.
Where to stay
Near the park
Suranjana Resort
Boat‑based lodge opposite Sajney Khali Forest Office; about two hours by boat from Gadkhali.
Near the park
Hotel Gateway Resort
Land‑based hotel in Dulki, near Khulna gate.
Safety
Tiger encounters medium
Crocodile zones medium
Monsoon flooding high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Access only by boat; no road access to interior zones.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides and use licensed operators to support community income.
- Avoid souvenir vendors selling wildlife parts.
- Choose operators that follow permitted boat routes and do not litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sundarbans?
A basic entry permit costs Tk 1,500–2,000 per person; a typical 2‑day guided boat safari runs Tk 15,000–20,000 (prices 2018, check for updates).
What are the best hikes in Sundarbans?
Walking is limited; the main experiences are boat‑based routes to Hiron Point, Tin Kona Island and Katka, plus a short mangrove boardwalk on Tin Kona.
When is the best time to visit Sundarbans?
The dry season November to February offers cool weather and reliable boat service; October is also good after the monsoon.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. All boat trips and any movement beyond the gate require a licensed guide.
Can I stay inside the park?
Overnight accommodation is provided on licensed boat lodges (e.g., Suranjana Resort) or at nearby hotels in Dulki.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sundarbans National Park
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