Sundarbans (Bangladesh)

The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi and Indian hinterland from the coast. The Sundarbans has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 10,500 km², of which about one-third is covered in water or marsh areas. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.

Safaris are available from Dhaka and Khulna. These trips range from being overnight to a week and are probably the best way to experience the Sundarbans. Some of the agencies offering package tours:

• Arranger Tours and Travels, 6 Farazi Para Main Road, Khulna, Tel: +88041723031, +8801817-403070,
• Ever Green Tours, Tel: +8801711-942555, +8801911-080077
• Pugmark Tours and Travels, KDA Building, Shibbarirmore, Khulna, Tel: +8801715-167740, +8801919-298001,

As of December 2018, the price for 3-4 day trip is around Tk 15-20000.

Organizing your own trip from Munsiganj-Satkhira, Mongla or Khulna is possible (and cheaper, if you're a shrewd negotiator), but questionably worth the hassle. You need a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in Khulna. With permit in hand, it's possible to hire a boat from Mongla or Dhangmari to get you to Hiron Point. From Hiron Point you will have to hire a guide to take you into the park.

Day trips from Mongla are not very interesting, and probably better avoided. After negotiating the price of a boat down to something only slightly less ridiculous you'll most likely be taken to Karamjal Wildlife Center, where there are some tame deer to feed and some monkeys, crocs and snakes in cages. But surely you didn't come all this way to see a rundown zoo filled with depressed animals and raucous Bangladeshis. Boatmen seem to want no less than Tk 200 for the trip (locals pay Tk 50/day), and the center charges a very steep Tk 750/day entry fee for foreigners.

• Divisional Forest Office, Circuit House Road, Khulna, +20665 is the place to apply for the mandatory permit.

You have to rely on boats for visiting the various tourist spots of the Sundarbans. You can also hire your own boat but the charges are pretty steep. However, in case you wish to move around on your own, make sure to hire a guide or else the boatsmen may take you for a ride (the waterways of the Sunderbans are so similar to one another that even if your boat makes round of the same place, you won't be able to tell the difference without the services of an experienced guide).

• Hiron Point a beautiful spot, great for spotting tigers and other wildlife.
• Tin Kona Island another popular spot for wildlife spotting.
• Katka a base for safaris, and good spot to see tigers and for bird-watching.

• Dublar Char Island it's possible to fish here.

• Karamjol a forest station for watching different types of wildlife.

Apart from visiting the tourist destinations, you may also take some time-out to go to a nearby village to see the life-style of the local people and talk to them to have an insight into their lives.

• The collection of wild honey during April - May from the jaw of Royal Bengal Tiger. This unique and rare honey is highly prized for its medicinal properties and is an important source of income for the local people.

• Handcrafted articles that make great mementos to bring back home. These articles are made using traditional techniques and local materials such as bamboo, wood, and clay. Visitors to the Sundarbans can purchase these items as souvenirs or gifts for friends and family. These handcrafted articles reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Sundarbans and are a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the local people.

For those looking to experience the local cuisine in the Sundarbans, it is highly recommended to try the dishes made from fresh catches of the water. These include a variety of seafood like shrimp, crab, hilsha, vetki, pangas, partsay, boal, ruhu, or katla. Additionally, many of the lodges in the area have their own kitchen gardens where guests can sample a variety of fresh produce. This combination of fresh seafood and locally grown fruits and vegetables is sure to provide visitors with a unique and flavorful dining experience.

While exploring the Sundarbans, it is essential to stay hydrated to ensure that you can enjoy the various tourist destinations without any hindrance. Therefore, it is wise to carry drinking water or water purification gear to ensure that you have access to clean drinking water. Alternatively, coconut water is also widely available and inexpensive in the Sundarbans. It is a natural and refreshing source of hydration and is available throughout the year. It is rich in nutrients and is an excellent option for those looking for a healthy and refreshing beverage while exploring the Sundarbans. However, it is important to ensure that the coconut water you purchase is clean and safe to drink.

The only mobile network available across the area is TeleTalk. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain one of their SIM cards to ensure that you have access to mobile reception during your visit. Without a TeleTalk SIM card, visitors may face difficulty in making calls, accessing the internet, or sending messages while in the Sundarbans. It is recommended that visitors obtain a SIM card before beginning their journey to the area to ensure uninterrupted communication.

While as a tourist you are unlikely to face any danger from the local wildlife, it is wise to be informed that two of the most potentially dangerous animals on Earth reside within the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans is well known as the only place left where Bengal Tigers still hunt and kill humans, and they do it regularly. These victims are always locals who live within the Sundarbans and rely on it for survival. Hence this risk is accepted among the locals.

Saltwater Crocodiles also inhabit the Sundarbans and are well known to be the largest and (along with the Nile Crocodile) most aggressive reptile on Earth. In the Sundarbans you are unlikely to be in crocodile territory without a large boat, so the risk is minimal.

Very little risk is posed to the average tourist. Snakes exist, but are primarily either shy or nocturnal, unless you plan on venturing off into the bush alone you don't have much to worry about.

Mosquito-borne diseases including malaria and dengue fever are present within the Sundarbans at varying levels dependent on the season (the wet season representing the greatest risk). The most feared animal (by locals and tourists) within the tropics is the mosquito, which represents a greater threat than any man-eater could. Drinking water should be limited to bottled only. Always use your best judgment when choosing what to eat.