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| Camp at Chotkei |
Monsoon 2012 we decided for a short weekend trip to Satkosia Tiger reserve. Not many people have heard about this forest, but it's in the Angul district of Orissa. We booked our accommodation from DFO office and got our permit for entering the tiger reserve. There are 3 places one can stay and provided by the forest department. Chotkei, Punorkot and Tikarpada. Tikarpada was closed due to some maintenance and Punorkot didn’t have any facilities which we wanted, so we booked our Eco cottage at Chotkei.
The car we hired was on time and without wasting any moment we were on the tracks. The green fields ,the village the stream in the midst of jungle and butterfly overcrowding the muddy roads were amazing.
It took nearly 2 hours to reach the main gate of the reserve. Upon entering, our papers were being checked thoroughly.
The stay was for 1 night.Upon entering the cottage,we were given a warm welcome.All means of communication were lost. Felt great though! We were served hot tea and snacks .We sat in the neat dining room.They told us to make a trip to Tikkarpada Mahanadi and Hati Girja watchtower by sunset as our stay was for 1 night. After eating our lunch we set on for the trip.
First we went to Hati girja a little drive then trekking in the jungle.The jungle was dense. The huge ant hills welcomed us from every corner.The sky was cloudy (it was monsoon remember), there wasn’t much light in the jungle.All we could hear was elephant’s trumpet.We came across a stream, It might be the place where wild animals comes for water! taking off our shoes, we crossed it carefully so that we don’t slip. Then again we were off on the mud roads, and finally to the watch tower. We didn’t wait much as it was getting dark and we got to walk back to our car. We didn’t sight any animals,not even deer. After visiting Hati girja we moved to tikkarpada.This place is famous for crocs. The Mahanadi river flowing in between the hills was amazing. Because of monsoon there was too much of current in the water and so boating were not allowed.While boating one can see gharial and crocs resting on the river bed. Clicking some pictures,enjoying the view we went drove back to our cottage. It was raining heavily.We gave up hope sighting any animals. Sitting in the dinning hall we enjoyed delicious pakora and a cup of hot tea.The night was spent chatting. Finally when the rain stopped, the guide ran to us and asked if we would like to see herd of deer drinking water. The man of the house jumped with excitement. I followed too, but then when they told us to switch off the light n walk quietly in the jungle area ( not so dense ) I was pretty scared as the place was infested with snakes like cobra and python. I went back to the cottage not wanting to see the deer.But the man of the house went for it.I was amazed by his eagerness and not being scared of anything.
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| Mahanadi @ Tikarpada |
The next day early at 5am we again went for another trekking. The trekking was not what I have imagined. With all those prickly thorns getting stuck on my jeans and the muds and the water holes making my shoe and socks wet made me feel horrible. I just wanted to return back. After trekking we came back and had our lunch. Then enjoyed a little walk watching the birds and gigantic red malabar squirrel and later we drove back home with memories of forest.
Reservation can be made at Ecotourism Cell, Satkosia Wildlife Division, Hakimpada, Angul, Orissa 759143, India.
Phone: 08763102681 Email: dfosatkosiawl@yahoo.co.in
You need to produce proper photo identity cards (PAN card, voter ID card etc) .
http://www.satkosia.org/
How to reach
One can reach Satkosia by Bus or private transport from Cuttack or Bhubaneswar, via Angul.
Nearest railway Station – Angul (60km). Train from Howrah to Angul is available but runs only on Saturdays.
Tourist are advised to hire a private car for traveling as well as sightseeing.
