There are many unknown tourist attractions in Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s natural beauty has fascinated travelers over the ages. The Sundarbans is the safest boat travel place in Bangladesh. There is no risk to traveling in Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world.
From the magnificent Sundarbans to the freshwater Ratargul Swamp Forest, Bangladesh is home to some stunning and diverse forests. If you are an adventurer at heart and a thrilling adventure in the wild, or a nature enthusiast or an adventure seeker, we have gathered a list of beautiful forests to visit in Bangladesh.
Related Story: Free Printable Travel Checklist: Never Forget Anything Again
The Sundarbans
The Sundarbans, one of the most beautiful places in Bangladesh, is regarded as the world’s largest mangrove forest. This enchanting forest is densely populated with various trees and diverse wildlife. The Sundarbans is one of the most visited places in the country. It is located in the south-west of Bangladesh, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. It is a glaring example of a stunning ecosystem. The beautiful saltwater crocodiles and spotted deer are found in the Sundarbans.
There are some 260 bird species. The majestic Bengal Tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python are seen here.
The green beauty of the forest should be seen during the monsoon season. The salinity of river water decreases at this time. Even the animals rejoice at the touch of the sweet water of the monsoon. So, the forest department closes the entry of tourists to the Sundarbans from June to August to keep animals free from disturbance.
October to March is the best time to visit this treasure trove of natural beauty.
You can visit several wonderful places in the Sundarbans.
Relavant Stories!
Hiron Point
Hiran Point is the world’s largest saltwater forest and one of the most beautiful forests to visit in Bangladesh. Its other name is Nilkamal. It is located in the Khulna range, on the west bank of Kunga River. Visiting Hiron Point, you can explore the diverse wildlife of the Sundarbans. It is a protected sanctuary for wildlife. Hiran Point is one of the World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO. Tigers, deer, monkeys, birds, and reptiles are available here. Spotted deer and wild boar are also seen here. Among the birds are white-breasted herons, yellow-breasted herons, black-headed herons, large egrets, weeping egrets, meditative bucks, etc. There are also lots of crab habitats. And there are colorful butterflies. The travelers will get a watch tower at Keorasuthi, three kilometers from Hiran Point.
Kotka Beach
The clean, beautiful, and serene Kotka Beach is located in the southeast corner of the Sundarbans. Tiger roars often interrupt the beach. Red crabs are often spotted on this sandy beach. Three Tiger Hills are located on Kotka beach which is also a great base for safaris, and bird-watching. You may even luckily spot a Royal Bengal Tiger in the area.
Karamjal
Karamjal, a popular tourist spot in the Sundarbans, is also known for its dense population of wildlife. Various species of wildlife are seen roaming in this area. Deer Breeding Centre and Wildlife Reserving Centre are located in Karamjal. You can see diverse wildlife, including dolphins, crocodiles, deer, wild boars, ducks, monkeys, and the majestic tigers.
Kachikhali
By paying a visit to Kachikhali, you will get a scope to absorb the raw natural beauty of the Sundarbans. You can feel the essence of the wildlife sanctuary staying here. Kachikhali, also known as Tiger Point, is located 14km east of Kotka. It features a dense forest facing the Bay of Bengal. Numerous marine and land creatures are available here to soothe the eyes.
Dublar Char
Various types of fish, festivities, and breathtaking sunsets are great elements of Dublar Char, a highly popular island in the Sundarbans. This island remains submerged underwater for almost half of the year. The Hindu community observes their holy festival, Rash Mela, under the full moon during the third week of November. Hundreds of devotees from all over the country enjoy the festivity with due solemnity.
Related Travel Story: Best Family Vacations in the USA
How to go?
The easiest way to go to the Sundarbans is to take a bus to Khulna or Mongla from Dhaka. Later your trip provider will set you up on a ship. The Padma Bridge has made Mongla a popular docking point as well. Alternatively, you may travel to Jessore from Dhaka by plane. From there, you can take a one-hour bus ride to Khulna. Most tour operators provide a 2-3 day tour to Sundarbans. If you want to stay in Sundarbans, you have to take the help of tour operators. There are usually three-day and two night’s packages for Sundarbans tours. They will take care of everything including your travel permit.
Keep in mind that a forest permit is a prior need to visit the Sundarbans.
Ratargul Swamp Forest
Ratargul Swamp Forest, the best rain forest to visit in Bsangladesh, is about 26 kilometers from Sylhet. The location of this swamp forest is in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet. The forest area is 3,325.61 acres, of which 504 acres of forest was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1973.
There are only 22 freshwater wetlands in the world. One of them is located in Sylhet Bangladesh. Ratargul Swamp Forest is compared with the Amazon. Like the Amazon, the enchanting forest is veiled with the branches of half-submerged trees.
This evergreen territory hosts an uncountable number of snakes, lizards, insects, and birds. The sweet chirping of birds and the occasional sightings of snakes will fill you with awe for the vastness of Mother Nature.
You have to visit the forest by reserving engine boats, commonly known as trawlers.
A watch tower is located inside the forest. You can see the whole view of the forest by going up the tower.
How to go?
First of all, you have to go to Sylhet by car, bus or train from Dhaka. From there, you have to go to the Kadamatoli bus stand. Ratargul is 26 km away from this bus stand.
Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary
Fatikchari area of Chottogram is the green land of natural beauty. You will be pleased to see mountain springs and the natural beauty of the surrounding tea plantations.
Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the most beautiful forests to visit in Bangladesh, consists of 2,908 hectares of land. In 1893, the place was declared as ‘Ramgarh-Sitakunda Reserved Forest’.
Various types of animals can be seen in this wildlife sanctuary. Notable among these are – bear, forest cat, tiger, fox, Maya deer, forest dog, forest goat, monkey, and colobine. And sometimes you can meet the leopard.
As such, it would not be wrong to call Hazarikhil Sanctuary a paradise for bird lovers.
Especially the endangered peafowl and Mathura can be seen here. There are kao hornbills and owls too. Due to the combination of different species of plants, some species of birds are found in this evergreen forest, which are not commonly seen in any other forest. These include hudhud, nilkanto, beghbau and ababil. These birds are diverse in shape, color, and temperament.
The famous Rangapani tea garden is situated next to the sanctuary. Here you will get lost in the beautiful beauty of the tea garden. For a while, it seems that it would be better to live in the forest.
How to go?
You can go to Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary from Dhaka to Chittagong by bus or train. After that, you have to go to Hazarikhil via Fatikchari. You will get the Fatikchari bus from Oxygen. By bus, you have to get down at Bibirhat. CNG is available on the opposite side of the road at Bibirhat. The sanctuary is a 10-minute drive from Hazarikhil Bazar.
Satchari National Park, Habiganj
Satchari National Park is situated on Raghunandan Hill at Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj district of Sylhet division. Located about 130 km north-east of Dhaka and 60 km south-west of Srimangal. Satchari National Park is a tropical rainforest or mixed evergreen and deciduous forest.
Satchari National Park, a beautiful forest to visit in Bangladesh, has seven springs or springs from where it got its name Satchari, one of the 10 national parks. Its area is 242.82 hectares or six hundred acres.
There are nine tea gardens near the park. Satchari tea garden is located on the western side of the park and Chaklapunji tea garden is on the eastern side.
Your trip will surely be a memorable one as Satchari National Park boasts of diverse flora and fauna. Besides, it has lush greenery, and crystal-clear streams.
There are more than 200 plants in Satchari National Park. Among them, special names can be given to sal, teak, agar, gurjan, chapalish, palm, mahogany, jamrul, eucalyptus, akashmani, bamboo, cane-tree etc.
There are 197 species of animals in this park. There are also about 150-200 species of birds. It is a protected forest area and a bird sanctuary in Bangladesh. In this park, there are monkey, hoolock gibbon, languar, macaques, wild tiger, and barking deer.
Snakes are among reptiles. Birds include kao dhanesh, wild rooster, red-headed trogon, woodpecker, myna, bhimraj, shyama, jhutipanga, shalik, yellow bird, parrot etc.
Satchari National Park will be a peaceful sanctuary for you if you are hunting for a peaceful retreat amid nature.
How to go?
You can take buses from Dhaka to go Sylhet or Habiganj. And then, you can reach Satchari National Park from Chunarughat upazila, Habiganj district or Sylhet city by bus, or car.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Gazipur
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Gazipur, also a beautiful forest to visit in Bangladesh, is a safe natural habitat for wild animals. The safari park is set up in line with the South Asian model, particularly Safari World in Thailand. Also included are some ideas for Bali Safari Park in Indonesia.
Permanent enclosures are constructed around the Safari Park and the breeding and free-roaming of indigenous or exotic wildlife has been created so that tourists can enjoy educational, research, and recreational opportunities by traveling in moving vehicles or on foot.
The concept of a safari park is different from a zoo. Animals are kept in captivity in zoos and visitors can freely visit them on foot. But in the safari park, the wild animals will roam freely in the jungle and visitors will watch them sitting on protected transport.
A butterfly garden, a reptile house, a picnic spot, and a children’s playground are found here.
How to go?
You can visit Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park by bus from Dhaka Mahakhali bus stand. You can board any bus bound for Mymensingh and get off at Bhabanipur Bazar, popularly known as Bagher Bazar. Then it is 3 km away from the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Cox’s Bazar
Cox’s Bazar is full of hills, mountains, and waterfalls. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park is located on the east side of Chottogram-Cox’s Bazar highway in Chakaria upazila of the district. It is one of the Beautiful forests to visit in Bangladesh. The park is 50 km north of Cox’s Bazar district headquarters and 10 km south of Chakaria headquarters. The area is about 900 hectares. It was started as a deer breeding center in 1980-81. Now it has become a safe habitat for various wild animals for the conservation of biodiversity and eco-tourism and research as well as a recreation center.
In the safari park, tourists can enjoy the free movement of wild animals. The park has an information education center, natural history museum, observation tower, and rest house.
———–
The safari park has been built in the natural beauty of secluded high and low hills, flowing streams, lakes, various roaring trees, tall traditional natural trees, evergreen forests, unknown trees and shrubs, fruit herbs, vines, wonderful plants, and dense cover. Enclosed paths, green forests, rows of unknown trees, chirping of birds and monkeys will give you wonderful feelings. Standing on the high watch tower on the side of the road, you can see the immense beauty of the entire park.
There are observation towers, and watch posts for tourists to easily observe tigers, lions, and other animals inside the park.
How to go?
You have to go to Cox’s Bazar by bus or train. You can also go from Chittagong if you want. From Cox’s Bazar city, you can go to the safari park by CNG-run auto-rickshaw, microbus, or public bus.
Last Words
While paying a visit to any forest, you have to keep a few things in mind. You must wear light and simple dresses, avoiding bright colour that attract wildlife. No perfume can be used. You should maintain silence at all times. You should walk in a straight line and stay together. Any kind of unprecedented mishap can occur at any time. So, you should be aware of danger all the time. It is prohibited to take a dip in the water. You should not roam here and there without the supervision of forest guards.