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I should have written about this place a little later.. at least that was the plan at first.. but I so soooo much fell in love with this place.. that I am starting my Odisha series, with this very special sightseeing tour. so whoever reading this post put your hands up if you have heard the name ‘Kalibhanja Diha’.. anyone? No one??
Of course you won’t.. at least if you are not from Odisha, then it’s quite taken that you haven’t heard of this place.. how can I be soo confidently sure??
Because.. because, this place was closed for the last 6-7 years, they once again re-opened this tourist sight on 1st Oct 2023 and I was the very first tourist here after the re-opening.. but I wasn’t the only one who visited the island as a tourist.. I took a small entourage with me. Will tell you all, what’s the hurry??
So Kalibhanja Diha is a distinct island, very close to Bhitarkanina, uninhabited by humans and you have to be a travel junkie to make up your mind to visit this island. As I said it’s a distinct island, for a long time the island was abandoned, in a sense that no one could de-board this island for a while as the jetty was destroyed for natural reasons, the new jetty is now ready to welcome guests from this season.
So WHY Kalibhanja Diha?
You truly have to be an adventure freak, nature lover to come to this island. Not that there’s a huge trouble involved in arriving in this island, it’s the concept of a secluded island. There is only a forest office with a few staff living there. Nature is something else here, it keeps changing her appearance, colour with every season. There’s colour, there’s beauty and there’s life.. life in the quietude, life in the silent atmosphere.. As interesting is the journey to this place, the nature walk, the picturesque panorama, the mischievously mysterious nature here.. you are bound to fall in love with this place. It’s so quiet here during the day, just imagine what it’s gonna be like after nightfall?
Apart from nature, there’s wildlife as well.. during winter one can see various kinds of migratory birds.. then there are various species of birds, Kobra (not to be found during daytime), wild boars, tiny red crabs, fishing cats etc… ooo and not to forget the crocodiles in the water.. the water is very dangerous here, trust me.. but the various kinds of floras of this island are nothing like anywhere else.. that’s the simplest way I can use to describe the place. ** Do check the videos I shared on Social media to understand better.**
How to Go?
From Bhitar Kanika Khola gate (as I was staying very close to this gate of the national park) we took a boat (I had to hire a private boat as I was the only one going there), the manager of the resort agreed to accompany me, and we had a guide with us who knows the water soo well and the humble Boat-man.
So from Khola gate, it was about 1.5 hours’ journey, and as I have mentioned before it was an interesting journey. You keep spotting big-small crocodiles in the water (it’s more thrilling to spot the crocs’ scale floating on the water than spotting they are resting on the land nearby because you then know that there are more of them lurking in the water underneath!!). You cross marooned islands, inhabited only by flora and fauna. Even the islands change one after the other as you keep passing them. Some look like the sun can never penetrate from the green leaves to the muddy land, somewhere you can see the sky from the gaps between the leaves of the long lanky trees, some trees dominate on one island then some other at another.. then at the other side of the river, the mainland is still going with you. So if you see, the last end of the Bhitar Kanika mainland to Kalibhanja Diha island is very close by, the last village of the mainland named Talchua is very close by but the drive will be very rough for undeveloped road, at Talchua the tourist jetty isn’t built and this boat journey I did is lot more fulfilling.
From Kalibhanja Diha jetty (we were even welcomed by the forest officer being the first guests after the re-opening :D) one has to walk to the forest office.. it’s a narrow trail of 1 km which has been made walkable even during rain and that’s the only option to go to the forest office, hence if you are someone who doesn’t mind walking, only then go there. You walk in the mid of the dense jungle, spot some tiny red crabs, and birds, you may hear the call of wild boars somewhere nearby.. just concentrate more on nature.. I went with 0 expectations and lost my heart there.
When to go?
The best time to travel is Dec to Feb.. lot of migratory birds come here that time and it’s a feast happening then. The island looks at her best as told by the forest officer.
What to do?
Relax, observe nature, inhale freshness, pure oxygen, just encounter what pure nature can mean. It’s an experience. It’s a virgin place.. don’t expect any out-of-the-world service available, you have to go with a humble mind and the place will surprise you. Let nature decide here how to fulfil you. That’s what has been my experience.
Stay at kalibhanja Diha?
Read this one carefully. For now, it has to be a day trip. Better do it in the morning, or early afternoon so that you can be back by sunset.
But there are 2 fibre camps being built, they will be open for booking from Nov. maximum 4 people can stay for now. Again let me be very clear, you have to be a nature lover, these are simple accommodations on a distinct island, hence don’t expect a lot, just basic services. Price of each camp can be 4000-5000 per room per night. Meals will be provided by the forest office staff, there’s no other option as of now, till the Madagascar Quadro discovers this island. Just imagine how your night will be on this island, calls of crickets, birds, the rustle of dry leaves when something slides on them!! Your adventure story books lived alive no??!!
** Important note, you can’t think of dragging your big hefty suitcase here, as I said, you have to walk for about a kilometre to reach the forest office, where the fibre pods are put up, hence leave your main luggage at Bhitar Kanika accommodation, and carry a light backpack for yourself.
For booking, you may get in touch with this person, he is the manager of the Bhitar Kanika resort I stayed at (Will share more details once I write on it): Mr Pabitra Devata: +91 7008955210 /bhitarkanikaresorts@gmail.com
That’s more or less, all about Kalibhanja Diha, even if you don’t want to stay for the night here.. do plan a day trip from BhitarKanika.. I will help you with a travel plan by the end of this series. The main reason to start my blog backwards this time is because I didn’t want to lose the season for you to plan as soon as possible. So if you are still looking for a quiet yet thrilling winter holiday.. do plan Odisha..
Next up will be Bhitarkanika…
Read more Bhitarkanika Post on the Next Blog
TurtleGotWings 
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What an incredible journey you’ve shared! Your vivid descriptions and captivating storytelling whisked me away to Odisha, India, allowing me to experience the beauty and serenity of Kalibhanja Diha through your eyes. Your courage in embarking on a solo trip is inspiring, and your reflections on the local culture and interactions with the community truly enriched the narrative. Thank you for taking us along on this memorable adventure!
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Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog.. and thank you for those kind words.. made my day 🙂
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Nice blog author. Thank you. Keep it up.
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