The Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, more fully the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, is a forested elephant reserve on the Khordha uplands right on the western edge of Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital. It is a rolling tableland of sal and bamboo, cut by two reservoirs and ringed by a growing city, and it was set aside above all to protect wild elephants and the land they move through.
Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary is a roughly 193 sq km forest reserve in Khordha and Cuttack districts of Odisha, about 20 km from Bhubaneswar. Notified in the 1980s to protect wild elephants, it holds leopards, deer and the Deras and Jhumka reservoirs, with nature camps, safaris and walking trails run through the Odisha eco-tourism system.
Key takeaways
- Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary sits about 20 km from Bhubaneswar in Khordha and Cuttack districts, Odisha; the Odisha wildlife portal lists the notified area as 193.39 sq km, while other sources give 175.79 sq km.
- It was created primarily for elephants: declared an elephant reserve in December 1982 and notified as a wildlife sanctuary on 30 December 1985, per government and standard references.
- The best time to visit is October to March, the dry winter window, when the forest is comfortable and water birds gather on the reservoirs.
- Stay and safaris run through the Godibari and Deras nature camps, bookable on the Odisha eco-tourism portal; a reported forest entry fee of about ₹40 per person (dated 2020) should be reconfirmed.
- Chandaka’s elephants are under real pressure as Bhubaneswar expands: herds now stray into surrounding forests and farmland, and a herd from Chandaka was reported wreaking havoc in Athgarh and Dhenkanal, according to an assembly answer cited by The Times of India.
- In August 2025 the Odisha government announced a Centre for Species Survival: Asian Elephant at Godibari, near Chandaka, described as the world’s first such single-species centre.
About Chandaka-Dampara and its setting
Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest of low hills and tableland on the Khordha uplands, straddling Khordha and Cuttack districts of Odisha, immediately west of Bhubaneswar. The Odisha wildlife portal lists the forest division as Chandaka (Wildlife), the district as Khurda, and the notified area as 193.39 sq km, with the divisional forest officer’s office at Gajavihar, Barmunda, in Bhubaneswar itself.
There is a well-known gap in the area figure. The government portal and several guides cite about 193 sq km, while Wikipedia and some travel sources give 175.79 sq km. The difference probably reflects notified versus measured area; treat the exact number as approximate and use the official portal figure when it matters.
The sanctuary’s history is tied to elephants rather than to any fort or temple. According to standard references, Chandaka was declared an elephant reserve in December 1982 and later notified as a wildlife sanctuary, with the Odisha portal recording a notification date of 30 December 1985. It falls in IUCN management category IV and sits in the Eastern Ghats biotic region, which is why its vegetation runs from coastal sal (Shorea robusta) to teak plantation and thorny bamboo.
| Location | Khordha and Cuttack districts, Odisha; western edge of Bhubaneswar |
| Area | 193.39 sq km (Odisha wildlife portal); 175.79 sq km in some sources |
| Declared | Elephant reserve December 1982; sanctuary notification 30 December 1985 |
| Flagship species | Indian elephant; leopard is the top predator |
| Reservoirs | Deras Dam and Jhumka Dam (inside the sanctuary) |
| Managed by | Divisional Forest Officer, Chandaka (Wildlife) Division |
| Distance from Bhubaneswar | About 20 km |
Elephants and the human-elephant conflict
Chandaka was set aside above all for its elephants, and they remain the reason to care about it. The Indian elephant is the flagship species, and the sanctuary was declared primarily to preserve wild elephants and their habitat. Older counts give a sense of scale: a 2004 BirdLife factsheet estimated 65-70 elephants, and the All Orissa Elephant Census of 2007 recorded 67 in the roughly 200 sq km forest. A newer official Chandaka-specific census was not available in the sources reviewed, so reconfirm current numbers with the forest department.
The hard story here is conflict. As Bhubaneswar has spread, Chandaka has become something like an island, and its herds increasingly move out into farmland and the edge of the city. According to The Times of India, citing an answer in the state assembly, a herd from Chandaka strayed into the Athgarh and Dhenkanal forests and was reported “wreaking havoc” there, and the government said it was developing 14 identified elephant corridors to keep movement within set zones. Treat the specifics as attributed and dated, not settled fact.
The pressure is statewide. An Odisha World Elephant Day report in 2025 put the state’s elephant population at about 2,098 and cited an Asian Nature Conservation Foundation estimate that Odisha’s forests can sustainably support only 1,700-1,800, with mining, farming and urbanisation breaking the corridors elephants use. The same report counted a record 94 elephant deaths in 2024-25 (to 18 March 2025) across the state. These are regional figures, not Chandaka-only, but they frame why conflict around the capital keeps rising.
There is a conservation response underway. In August 2025, according to The Week and other reports, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a Centre for Species Survival: Asian Elephant at Godibari, near the Chandaka Wildlife Division, set up with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, the Wildlife Trust of India and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Reports described it as the world’s first such centre dedicated to a single species. As of the sources reviewed a foundation stone had been laid but no formal opening confirmed.
| Fact | Figure | Source / date |
|---|---|---|
| Chandaka elephant estimate | 65-70 | BirdLife factsheet (2004) |
| Chandaka elephant count | 67 | All Orissa Elephant Census (2007) |
| Odisha elephant population | About 2,098 | Odisha World Elephant Day report (2025) |
| Identified elephant corridors (Odisha) | 14 | Assembly answer via The Times of India |
| Species Survival Centre | Announced; under development | Odisha govt / WTI (August 2025) |
Deras and Jhumka reservoirs and Godibari camp
Two reservoirs inside the sanctuary, Deras Dam and Jhumka Dam, give Chandaka its water and its easiest days out. Both lie within the forest; a government document places the Jhumuka (Jhumka) reservoir near Manei Sahi village in Kantabada block and dates its completion to 1973. Deras, a short drive in from the Godibari side, is the better-known picnic and birding spot, with greenery running down to the water and wintering ducks on the reservoirs between about November and February.
Godibari is the sanctuary’s main visitor base. The Godibari nature camp offers suite accommodation and a dining area, developed by the forest department and bookable through the Odisha eco-tourism portal; a 2018 news report described two complexes inaugurated at Godibari with eight cottages for visitors. Deras has its own nature camp and farmhouse-style stay. These are forest accommodations inside a working sanctuary, so facilities are simple and numbers are limited.
A note on names: Wikipedia and the Zoological Survey of India also mention the Kumarkhunti reservoir within Chandaka, which hosts wintering migratory ducks. If you are planning around birding, ask the Godibari staff which waterbody is holding birds at the time, as levels and arrivals shift year to year.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Chandaka-Dampara is October to March, the dry winter season, when daytime heat eases and water birds gather on the reservoirs. Coastal Odisha summers are hot and humid, and the monsoon leaves forest tracks slippery, so the cool months are both the most comfortable and the most rewarding for walks, safaris and sightings.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (peak) | October-March | Dry, pleasant; best for trails, safaris and birding on the reservoirs |
| Summer | April-June | Hot and humid; animals near water, but midday travel is uncomfortable |
| Monsoon | July-September | Green and full reservoirs; tracks slippery and some activities limited |
How to reach Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary
Reach Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary from Bhubaneswar, about 20 km away, which is the nearest city, railhead and airport all at once. This is one of the easiest wildlife sanctuaries in India to get to, because the capital sits right at its edge; most visitors drive out to the Godibari or Deras gate by taxi or private vehicle in under an hour.
By air, Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, with wide domestic and some international connections. By rail, Bhubaneswar railway station is a major hub on the East Coast line, well linked to Kolkata, Chennai and beyond. By road, the sanctuary lies off the western and northern fringe of the city; there is no dedicated public transport to the forest gates, so a hired cab or your own vehicle is the practical choice. Distances from Bhubaneswar vary by source and starting point, from roughly 15 to 25 km.
| From | Distance / mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bhubaneswar city | About 20 km by road | Nearest city; drive to the Godibari or Deras gate |
| Bhubaneswar airport | About 20-25 km | Biju Patnaik International Airport; nearest airport |
| Bhubaneswar railway station | About 20 km | Major rail hub; hire a taxi onward |
| Cuttack | About 30-40 km | Twin city; alternative base to the north |
| Nandankanan | Short drive via Bhubaneswar outskirts | Zoo and safari on the same side of the city |
If you are putting together a wider trip, our Bhubaneswar travel guide covers the city you will travel through, and the Odisha travel guide helps you link Chandaka with the coast.
Trails, safaris and watchtowers
The main ways to experience Chandaka are a guided jungle safari, a morning nature walk from Godibari, and, in the Bharatpur section, an organised night trail. A safari route of roughly 40 km runs from afternoon towards dusk, when elephants and deer are more active; forest staff arrange the vehicle and a guide. Because this is working elephant country on the edge of a city, you keep to permitted routes and the guide’s instructions.
The Sunday nature walk is the gentlest introduction. According to OrissaPost, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority trail begins at the Godibari Entrance Gate at 6:30 am on Sundays, covers about 6-8 km at a comfortable pace with stops, and is open to registration through the Bhubaneswar Nature Walk group online. It is less about guaranteed sightings than about the forest at first light.
The night trail, in the Bharatpur section, was launched on 29 January 2024, according to OdishaBytes. It runs three evening slots between 6 pm and 8 pm, staying open until about 9:30 pm, and was priced at ₹1,500 for an eight-seater vehicle and ₹2,000 for a twelve-seater (reconfirm, as of 2024). The Bharatpur stretch was chosen so the core forest stays undisturbed, and it is framed as an educational outing rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.
| Experience | Good to know | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jungle safari | About 40 km route; afternoon to dusk; arranged with forest staff | 2-3 hours |
| Sunday nature walk | From Godibari Gate, 6:30 am; 6-8 km; register via Bhubaneswar Nature Walk | Half morning |
| Night trail (Bharatpur) | Three slots 6-8 pm; ₹1,500-2,000 per vehicle (2024); educational | About 1 hour |
| Deras / Jhumka reservoirs | Picnic and birding; best November-February for ducks | Half day |
| Birdwatching | Reservoir edges and forest; peak October-March | Flexible |
A suggested one- to two-day plan
Because Chandaka sits on Bhubaneswar’s doorstep, a single day works well, and one overnight at a nature camp turns it into a proper forest break.
- Day trip: Drive from Bhubaneswar early, enter at Godibari, do the morning nature walk or a short drive, visit Deras reservoir for birding and a picnic, and return to the city by afternoon.
- Day 1 (overnight): Reach Godibari or Deras nature camp by late afternoon, take an evening safari or the Bharatpur night trail, and stay over at the camp.
- Day 2: Early walk or safari for elephants and deer, breakfast at the camp, then combine with Nandankanan or the Bhubaneswar temple circuit on the way back.
For a longer Odisha route, pair Chandaka with the lagoon ideas in our Chilika Lake travel guide, a half-day south of Bhubaneswar.
Where to stay
The two choices inside the forest are the Godibari and Deras nature camps, both run through the Odisha forest eco-tourism system and bookable on the official portal. Godibari is the main base, with suites and a dining area developed by the forest department; an eight-cottage complex was reported inaugurated there in 2018. Deras has cottage and farmhouse-style accommodation by its reservoir. These put you inside the sanctuary at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active.
If the forest camps are full, Bhubaneswar has the widest hotel choice in the region, across budget, mid-range and luxury bands, only about 20 km away, which also suits a day trip. A 2020 traveller account reported a Deras AC cottage suite at about ₹3,500 per night plus GST with meals for two included; treat that as a dated planning estimate and reconfirm on the eco-tourism portal. Book the camps well ahead for October-March weekends, when demand is highest.
| Option | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Godibari nature camp | Inside the sanctuary (main gate) | Forest suites and dining; book via the Odisha eco-tourism portal |
| Deras nature camp | By Deras reservoir, inside the sanctuary | Cottages / farmhouse; reservoir setting; limited rooms |
| Bhubaneswar hotels | About 20 km (city) | Full budget-to-luxury range; best fallback and day-trip base |
Food to try
Expect simple Odia cooking at the camps and the full range in Bhubaneswar. The nature camps serve set meals, while the city is where variety sits. Dishes worth trying include dalma (lentils cooked with vegetables and no onion-garlic), pakhala (lightly fermented rice in water, a summer staple with fried sides), chhena poda (slow-baked cottage-cheese dessert, an Odia signature) and local freshwater fish. Carry your own snacks and plenty of water for safari and walk hours, as there are no shops inside the forest.
Budget breakdown
A Chandaka trip is inexpensive by wildlife-travel standards, mostly because it is so close to Bhubaneswar and the camps are government-run. The estimate below is a planning guide per person for a day trip or one night, based on two people sharing; treat every figure as indicative and reconfirm before booking.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night, share of a camp cottage) | ₹1,800-3,500 | Forest camp; meals sometimes included |
| Safari / night trail (share) | ₹400-1,200 | Per-vehicle charge split between the group |
| Taxi from Bhubaneswar (share) | ₹500-1,200 | Round trip; split between travellers |
| Entry and parking | ₹50-150 | Reported ₹40 per person plus parking (dated) |
| Meals and water | ₹300-700 | Camp meals or city food |
| Approx. total per person | ₹1,250-6,750 | Day trip at the low end; overnight at the high end |
Entry, permits and rules
No inner-line or special state permit is needed to visit Chandaka; you need an entry ticket and forest permission, arranged at the gate or through the official eco-tourism channel. Cottages, safaris and the night trail are booked through the Odisha eco-tourism portal, ecotourodisha.com, run by the forest department’s eco-tourism wing. A forest entry fee of about ₹40 per person per day, with small parking charges and visiting hours around 10 am to 5 pm, has been reported (dated 2020 and later); reconfirm current figures at the gate, because fees and timings change.
The usual forest rules apply, and they matter more than usual in elephant country. Stay with your guide and vehicle, never approach or feed elephants, keep noise and headlights low, and do not get down near animals. Avoid single-use plastic, carry out your waste, and do not play music. Flying a drone over a protected forest needs prior written permission from the forest authorities; do not assume it is allowed. If you meet elephants on a road, give way and keep a large distance.
Practical tips
Chandaka is easy to reach but is still a working elephant forest beside a big city, so plan for both convenience and caution:
- Connectivity and cash: Bhubaneswar has full services, but carry some cash and small change for gate fees; signal can drop inside the forest.
- Book ahead: The Godibari and Deras camps have few rooms; book weeks ahead for winter weekends.
- Elephant safety: This is active human-elephant conflict terrain. Follow forest staff, avoid forest-edge roads after dark on your own, and never corner or photograph elephants at close range.
- Medical: The nearest full hospitals are in Bhubaneswar, close by. Carry a basic first-aid kit and personal medicines.
- What to pack: Light cottons, closed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a refillable water bottle; add a light layer for winter mornings.
- Solo and women travellers: Organised safaris and the Sunday walk are a structured, reasonably safe setting; plan to be out before dark and share your plan with someone.
Nearby places
Chandaka’s biggest advantage is its address: it pairs with Bhubaneswar’s temples, a famous zoo and the rock-cut caves, and a long lagoon lies within a day’s reach. You can build a two- or three-day capital-region loop around it.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Nandankanan Zoological Park | On the Bhubaneswar outskirts, near Chandaka | Zoo and safari known for white tigers; easy add-on |
| Bhubaneswar temples | About 20 km (city) | Lingaraj and the old temple city; see the Bhubaneswar guide |
| Khandagiri-Udayagiri caves | About 20-25 km (city) | Ancient Jain rock-cut caves on the city’s western edge |
| Chilika Lake | About 100 km south | India’s largest coastal lagoon; dolphins and birds |
For the lagoon day, our Chilika Lake travel guide covers boats, birds and the best season to go.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary is on the western edge of Bhubaneswar, across Khordha and Cuttack districts of Odisha, about 20 km from the city centre. It sits on the Khordha uplands and is managed by the Divisional Forest Officer, Chandaka (Wildlife) Division, whose office is at Gajavihar, Barmunda, in Bhubaneswar.
Can you see elephants at Chandaka?
Chandaka was created mainly to protect wild elephants and still holds a resident population, estimated at 65-70 by a 2004 BirdLife factsheet and counted at 67 in the 2007 All Orissa census. Sightings are not guaranteed, because the forest is dense and elephants range widely, but it remains an elephant sanctuary first and foremost.
What is the best time to visit Chandaka?
The best time to visit Chandaka is October to March, the dry winter season. Days are pleasant, forest tracks are usable, and migratory ducks gather on the reservoirs. Coastal Odisha summers (April to June) are hot and humid, and the monsoon leaves tracks slippery and some activities limited, so plan for the cool months.
How do I book a stay or safari at Chandaka?
Book the Godibari and Deras nature camps, safaris and the night trail through the Odisha eco-tourism portal, ecotourodisha.com, run by the forest department’s eco-tourism wing. Entry and permission are also handled at the gate. Rooms are limited and fill fast in winter, so book well ahead, especially for weekends.
Why is there human-elephant conflict around Chandaka?
As Bhubaneswar has expanded, Chandaka has become hemmed in, breaking the corridors elephants use, so herds stray into farmland and neighbouring forests. The Times of India, citing an assembly answer, reported a Chandaka herd causing damage in Athgarh and Dhenkanal, and said the state was developing 14 identified corridors to contain movement.
Is there an entry fee for Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary?
A forest entry fee of about ₹40 per person per day, with small parking charges and roughly 10 am to 5 pm visiting hours, has been reported for Chandaka, but these figures date from 2020 and later. Safaris and the night trail carry separate per-vehicle charges. Reconfirm all current fees on the eco-tourism portal or at the gate before you go.
Last updated and sources
Go to Chandaka if you want quick, low-cost forest time beside Bhubaneswar, with elephants, reservoirs and easy trails, and an honest look at how a city and a wild herd share one edge. The best window is October to March; book the camps early, keep a respectful distance from elephants, and reconfirm fees and timings before you set out.
Last updated: 15 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Odisha Wildlife (Forest & Environment Dept) sanctuary listing, Chandaka-Damapara, entrytickets-wildlife.odisha.gov.in; Odisha eco-tourism portal, ecotourodisha.com; “Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary,” Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org (citing Zoological Survey of India 2002 and The Times of India / The New Indian Express 2015); BirdLife Data Zone IBA factsheet, Chandaka-Dampara, datazone.birdlife.org; OrissaPost, “Walk the Chandaka trail, reconnect with nature,” orissapost.com; OdishaBytes, “Know slots, charges for first-of-its-kind night trail in Odisha’s Chandaka forest” (22 January 2024), odishabytes.com; The Week / PTI, “Odisha to host world’s first Asian elephant survival centre at Chandaka” (21 August 2025), theweek.in; Wildlife Trust of India, “Center for Species Survival: Asian Elephant,” wti.org.in; Visit Bhubaneswar (Deras), visit.bhubaneswar.me. Accessed October 2026.
