Before you go
Simlipal with elderly parents: what to know
- Choose a vehicle with good suspension and sit in the middle seats; forest tracks are long and bumpy, and a day inside can mean several hours of driving.
- Start early, carry water, snacks and any medicines, and agree a comfort stop with your guide; there are no restaurants or pharmacies inside.
- The waterfall viewpoints involve short walks on uneven ground, so wear closed shoes and ask your guide how far each walk is before you set off.
- Simlipal is in a malaria-prone region according to Wikipedia, so ask your doctor about precautions and use repellent and long sleeves at dusk.
- Do not plan an evening arrival: entry is in the morning and you are expected to be out by evening, and night driving in the forest is not for ordinary visitors.
- Keep a buffer day in your plan; reopening dates, permits and weather can shift an itinerary.
Easiest first
Places in Simlipal sorted by walking effort
Easy on the legs (8)
- Chahala meadow and open safari (Places to visit · 1 to 2 hours at the meadow, as part of a full safari day) — Most viewing is from the vehicle, so there is little walking. Seats are limited to the vehicle, and long stretches without breaks are possible, so carry water and ask your guide about comfort stops.
- Community eco-tourism and village walks (Culture and craft · 2 to 4 hours) — Village walks are usually flat but can be dusty and hot. Ask for a shorter route, carry water and arrange a vehicle to meet you.
- Gurguria Orchidarium (Places to visit · 30 to 60 minutes) — A short, flat walk among displays makes this one of the gentler stops in the reserve. Check whether benches or shade are available on the day, and bring water, as facilities are basic.
- Haribaldev Jew Temple, Baripada (Places of worship · 45 minutes to 1 hour) — The temple compound is largely level, but crowds on festival days can be heavy. Choose a weekday morning and, if mobility is limited, ask your driver to drop you close to the entrance.
- Khiching and Kichakeswari Temple (Places of worship · 2 to 3 hours on site, plus a long drive) — The temple and museum are close together with short walks, but the road trip is long and tiring. Break the journey if you can and avoid the midday closure.
- Mayurbhanj Chhau dance (Culture and craft · 1 to 2 hours for a performance) — Performances are seated or in open spaces, with little walking. Check the venue for seating, shade and lighting, and arrange transport back after dark.
- Ramatirtha temple and crocodile centre (Places to visit · About 1 hour) — The site is close to the road with short, mostly level walks. There may be steps at the temple and little shade, so carry water and check seating on arrival.
- Simlipal Tiger Reserve safari (Places to visit · A full day; two days if you add a forest camp) — Almost all of the day is spent seated in a vehicle on rough forest tracks, which can be tiring for backs and knees. There is no seating or shelter on the route beyond viewpoints, and no facilities inside, so plan comfort breaks and carry water.
Some walking — plan a break (3)
- Barehipani Waterfall (Places to visit · About 45 minutes to an hour at the viewpoint) — The approach is by vehicle, followed by a short walk on uneven ground to the viewpoint. Take it slowly; there is little seating, and the surfaces can be slippery when damp, so wear shoes with grip and ask your guide about the walk.
- Devkund waterfall and temple (Places of worship · 1 to 2 hours) — Expect uneven paths and steps near the water and temple. Wet rock can be slippery, so older visitors should take the short route with a companion and check the current state of paths.
- Joranda Waterfall (Places to visit · 30 to 45 minutes) — The viewpoint is reached by a short walk from the vehicle on uneven ground, with little seating. Older visitors can usually manage it slowly, but ask your guide about current conditions and take a stick if you use one.
Base yourself well
Where to stay in Simlipal with parents
BaripadaBest for: Most visitors, with the Pithabata gate on the Baripada side and the temple and Chhau culture in town
JashipurBest for: The Kaliani gate, Ramatirtha and the western side of the reserve
Forest nature campsBest for: Travellers who want to wake up inside the reserve, such as at Chahala or Gurguria
Small decisions
Practical tips for Simlipal
- Season. The reserve closes for the monsoon. Recent notices have set reopening in October and closure around the start of July, but the Field Director announces dates each year, so confirm before booking.
- Permits and guide. Entry is by approved vehicle with a forest guide. The official site recommends online booking before 7 am and notes that offline booking at the gate is possible if seats remain.
- Vehicle. The vehicle must be four-wheel-drive with about 180 mm ground clearance. Carry your ID and the vehicle registration papers.
- Timing. Morning safaris start early, around 5.30 am per the official site. Be out of the forest by the evening cut-off and do not plan night driving.
- Food and water. There are no restaurants inside. Carry water, snacks and vegetarian lunch; non-vegetarian food and liquor are not allowed in the safari area.
- Rules. No drones, no off-track driving and no picking plants. Stay in the vehicle unless the guide says otherwise, keep noise low and respect the animals.
- Health. Wikipedia describes the area as malaria-prone. Carry repellent, wear long sleeves at dusk and talk to your doctor about precautions.
- Connectivity and cash. Mobile coverage is patchy inside the forest. Carry some cash for small purchases and tips, as card acceptance outside the main towns is unreliable.
Plan the rest of your Simlipal trip
Want help?
Have Simlipal planned around your parents
We build the route at their pace, book the stays, and can add a companion on the ground.