Visiting the Sundarbans
When & How to Visit the Sundarbans Forest Reserve and Protected Areas
The largest mangrove forest in the world is a mist-shrouded, river-riddled swamp region of shifting tides, tigers and off-the-beaten-track adventure. It's surrounded on three sides by two of the most densely populated countries on earth, India and Bangladesh. Yet it remains wild, remote, and surprisingly untouched. Boating along its river channels into its swampy heart is as thrilling as it is serene.
When to Visit the Sundarbans?
The Sundarbans is a year-round destination, however during the rainy months of June to August, the Reserved Forest and Sanctuaries are closed to visitors. While the protected area remains off-limits during this time, Eco-cottages in the periphery remain open year-round and offer accommodation options for tourists to explore nearby villages, rivers, and attractions.
The dry season, spanning from October to March, witnesses a surge in tourist activity, coinciding with events like the Rash Mela in November, a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated on Dubla Island during the full moon. Additionally, the thrilling honey hunting expeditions with Mowals occur from March/April to May/June, showcasing the rich traditions of the region. As the Forest Department, NGOs, and stakeholders mark the start of the honey collection season with a ceremonial inauguration in Satkhira's Burigoalini Range Office, visitors have the chance to witness this unique cultural event. For the best experience, plan your visit between October and March, when the weather is most favorable, offering ideal conditions for exploring the Sundarbans and encountering its diverse wildlife.
How to Visit the Sundarbans?
Dipping in on a day trip gives visitors a great taste of the dynamic mangrove forest. However, to delve deep into the forest, a three or four day boat trip will ensure extraordinary experiences and beautiful forest serenity. On an overnight boat tour visitors will sleep onboard at night and adventure during the day — tracking tigers, birdwatching, and culture seeking. Most boat tours will start in Khulna City, just a few hours drive from Mongla, a Sundarban's access town, and travel south as far as Kotka, a deserted mangrove beach on the Bay of Bengal, before working their way back to Khulna.
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Permits and Fees to Enter the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is a protected forest so permission and payment of entrance fees is required by the Forest Department before entering the forest and spending nights on boats. Usually, tour and boat operators manage the permission process on behalf of tourists and fees are often included in the tour prices.
- For overnight trips, prior permission must be obtained through written application from Divisional Forest Office (DFO) in Khulna.
- For day trips into the forest, permission should be taken from relevant forest stations or range offices. No prior permission is required for visiting Karamjal Eco-tourism Center.
- No permission is required for staying at the Eco-cottages in the villages adjacent to the Sundarbans.
Required entrance fees for visitors, vessels, or boats are payable at the relevant forest stations or range offices. These can be paid in cash for individuals, water vessels, and video cameras. Entry fees vary depending on the places where you want to be and there are different rates for local and international tourists, students, and researchers inside and outside the sanctuary areas:
| Fee Type | Domestic (per person) | International (per person) |
| Karamjal Day Visit | Tk 40 Tk 20 for local students with ID cards and minors (under 12 years) | Tk 500 |
| Other Visitor Information Centers | Tk 20 | Tk 200 |
| Places outside sanctuary areas (e.g., Harbaria, Kalagachia, etc.) | Tk 150 per day Tk 30 per day for students and children under 12 | Tk 2,000 per day Tk 300 for students and children |
| Inside the sanctuaries | Tk 300 per day Tk 50 per day for students Tk 20 per day for children under 12 | Tk 3,000 Tk 300 for students and children |
| Researchers | Tk 50 per day | Tk 800 per day |
| Video Camera | Tk 300 per day | Tk 500 per day |
| Tour Guide | Tk 750 per day | |
| Forest Guard | Tk 500 per day *It is required that each liveaboard boat has two forest guards |
15% VAT is applicable with all prices. If a water vessel carries more tourists than is permitted, the penalty is Tk 500 per day for each extra person.
Where to Stay
Whether you're venturing to the Sundarbans for a few nights or an extended stay, there are many options when it comes to accommodation ranging from budget hotels to liveaboard experiences to luxury stays. City hotels provide easy access to the Sundarbans for visitors in transit or those making day trips into the Sundarbans.
For those seeking a more immersive and authentic experience of the Sundarbans, accommodation at an EcoVillage is a great option. EcoVillages are located in the peripheral areas of the Sundarbans and provide visitors easy access to many natural sites and optional cultural activities while promoting long-term sustainability through the EcoVillage model. For visitors with more time on their hands, a liveaboard boat experience is a must. Experiences on Sundarbans' liveaboards vary in price and amenities included but offer the unique opportunity to venture deep into the Sundarbans. Visitors have many accommodation options depending on taste, timeframe, and budget.
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