Why is the Sundarbans famous?

The Sundarbans is famous as the world's largest mangrove forest (approximately 10,000 km²), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the last stronghold of the Bengal tiger — the only tiger population in the world that swims regularly in saltwater. It is also notable for its unique tidal ecosystem, the Irrawaddy dolphin, estuarine crocodiles, spotted deer, and the iconic sundari tree (Heritiera fomes) from which it takes its name.

What is the best time to visit the Sundarbans?

October to March is the best time — cool, dry weather makes boat travel comfortable and wildlife is more active. January and February are peak months for bird photography. The monsoon (June–September) floods many areas and boat access is severely restricted. April–May is the hottest period but tiger sightings can be more frequent as animals come to water sources.

Sundarbans tidal waterway lined with dense mangrove forest at dawn, West Bengal India — photographed by Prashant Dhingra

West Bengal in India is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Bengal Tiger habitat.

The Sundarbans সুন্দরবন · World's Largest Mangrove Delta · Tiger Country

Q: Where are the Sundarbans located?

The Sundarbans straddle the border of India and Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal, at the mouths of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. The Indian portion lies in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The nearest city is Kolkata, approximately 110 km away. Entry for the Indian Sundarbans is typically via the town of Canning or Godkhali, from where boats take visitors into the delta.

Q: How do you visit the Sundarbans from Kolkata?

From Kolkata, the Sundarbans is reached by train to Canning (1.5 hours) then boat, or by road/rail to Godkhali jetty. All visits into the core forest zones require a permit from the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve / West Bengal Forest Department. Most visitors join organised boat safaris from Sajnekhali or Pakhiralay, which include a naturalist guide and the required Forest Department permits.

Q: Who photographed these Sundarbans images?

All 88 photographs in this gallery were taken by Prashant Dhingra during a visit to the Sundarbans, West Bengal. The gallery is published at prashant.dhingra.website/travel/india/sundarbans. More India travel and wildlife photography is at prashant.dhingra.website/travel/india.

In the delta where the Ganges merges with the ocean, the landscape transforms into a maze of tidal channels, mudflats, and mangrove forests. Within this vast 10,000 km² area, the elusive Bengal tiger navigates between islands. A collection of eighty-eight captivating photographs captured from the fringes of untamed nature.

Photographs

10,000

km² Delta Area

~100

Bengal Tigers (India)

Enter the Delta

Ecosystem

Mangrove Delta

Bengali name

সুন্দরবন

Flagship species

Bengal Tiger

State

West Bengal, India

Base city

Kolkata · 110 km

Photographs

Where land ends and the tide decides everything.

Describing the Sundarbans is not a simple task. This 10,000 km² area is a unique blend of land and sea, constantly shifting between the two. It is a network of tidal rivers, creeks, and mudflats where the powerful Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers merge before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. The name 'Sundarbans' originates from the Bengali language, meaning 'beautiful forest', a fitting name for the area where the majestic sundari tree dominates the landscape with its distinctive pneumatophores protruding from the mud along the riverbanks.

The Sundarbans is the unique habitat where Bengal tigers have learned to swim in saltwater, moving between islands, hunting prey, and adapting to the changing tides. With around 100 tigers in India and 114 in Bangladesh, their elusive nature adds to their mystique, making their presence felt rather than seen.

The 88 images captured from boats, watchtowers, and the muddy banks of the delta document the water, light, forest, wildlife, and fishing communities that have coexisted with the tiger for centuries.

The tiger of the Sundarbans is the sole species of tiger known to swim frequently in saltwater, often crossing channels as wide as 5 km to reach its hunting grounds.

Prashant Dhingra Travel photography · prashant.dhingra.website

Sundarbans Travel Guide

Where are the Sundarbans located?

The Sundarbans stretch across the border of India and Bangladesh where the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers meet the Bay of Bengal. The Indian section is located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, with Kolkata being the closest major city about 110 km away. Access to the area is usually through Canning or Godkhali, which can be reached by train or road from Kolkata.

Why are the Sundarbans famous?

The Sundarbans, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, is the largest mangrove forest globally and the only place where Bengal tigers are known to swim in saltwater. This delta's distinctive tidal ecosystem is home to Irrawaddy dolphins, estuarine crocodiles, spotted deer, and more than 260 bird species, all thriving amidst the namesake sundari tree.Heritiera fomes) covers much of the forest floor.

How do you visit the Sundarbans from Kolkata?

Catch the train from Sealdah to Canning (1.5 hours), followed by a boat ride into the delta. Another option is to drive or take a bus to Godkhali jetty (2.5 hours). Remember, a Forest Department permit is required for visits to the core forest zones. Many visitors opt for organized overnight boat safaris from Sajnekhali, which provide permits, a naturalist guide, access to watchtowers, and accommodation on board the vessel.

How many Bengal tigers live in the Sundarbans?

Around the Indian Sundarbans, the Bengal tiger population was estimated to be approximately the same in the 2023 All India Tiger Estimation. 100 tigersAround 214 tigers are estimated to inhabit the Sundarbans ecosystem, with approximately 114 residing in the Bangladesh portion alone, making it a highly important tiger reserve globally.

When is the best time to visit the Sundarbans?

October to March The perfect conditions for bird photography are found in January and February, with cool weather, calm water, and active wildlife. It is best to avoid the monsoon season from June to September, as flooding limits boat access and dense rain makes photography challenging. In April and May, despite the heat, there are good opportunities for tiger sightings near water sources.

Who photographed these Sundarbans images?

During a trip to the Sundarbans, West Bengal, Prashant Dhingra captured 88 photographs. Explore additional India travel photography at. prashant.dhingra.website/travel/india, including galleries for Vaishno Devi and Chikmagalur.