Overview
- The reserve reopened on October 18 following a scheduled monsoon shutdown from June 30 to October 17, according to an official notification.
- Daily access is capped at 60 vehicles with 35 permitted through Jashipur and 25 through Pithabata checkgates.
- Visitors must leave by 6 pm, with morning safaris starting at 5:30 am for about five hours and afternoon slots at 2 pm for about four hours.
- Entry windows run from 5–9 am at Jashipur and 8–9 am at Pithabata, with online booking and guides available for tours.
- Spanning 2,759 sq km, Similipal is a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve known for rare melanistic tigers and hosted 38,483 visitors generating Rs 4.26 crore in 2024–25.