South 24 Parganas district
A mangrove kingdom on the Bay of Bengal; cruise through the Sundarbans to track the Bengal tiger.
South 24 Parganas district is located in the southern part of West Bengal, India, just south of Kolkata, extending to the Bay of Bengal. The Sundarbans, a World Heritage-listed mangrove forest in the Ganges Delta, is the main highlight. Exploration is primarily done by cruising the waterways, with stops at watchtowers like Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, and Dobanki for birdwatching and crocodile spotting, though Bengal tigers are rarely seen. The Jharkhali Rehabilitation Centre, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project, and Gosaba are also common stops. The best time to visit is from October to next March, and entry permits are required. The gateway is Kolkata, from where travelers usually drive to the ferry ghats to board boats.