Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
A Godavari estuary mangrove reserve for birds, otters and nesting turtles
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary protects 235.7 sq km of Godavari estuary mangrove near Kakinada, with 24 tree species, over 120 birds and a fishing cat.
Overview
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary covers 235.7 sq km of mangrove and tidal water in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, about 8 km from the port city of Kakinada. It was declared a sanctuary on 5 July 1978 and is looked after by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. A visit to Coringa suits birdwatchers, photographers and anyone who would rather spend a morning on a quiet waterway than on a road, and the cooler months from November to February are the more comfortable ones around Kakinada.
The sanctuary lies on the Godavari estuary, where branches of the river, including the Gouthami, reach Kakinada Bay. About half of the protected area is backwater, so much of the reserve is water rather than land. Twenty-four species of mangrove tree grow along the channels and mudflats, and local people harvest them for fuelwood, which is one of the pressures on the forest.
Birdlife is the main draw. More than 120 species have been recorded, and they include the white-backed vulture and the long-billed vulture, both critically endangered. Mammals include the golden jackal, the fishing cat and the smooth-coated otter, though they are shy and a sighting is never promised. Olive ridley sea turtles nest in the area between January and March each year, which makes that stretch of the season a particular interest for naturalists. Hope Island, just off the Kakinada coast, is also a recorded nesting ground for the species.
Kakinada's other sights are covered on the Kakinada page, so this stop is best treated as a half-day nature visit rather than a sightseeing circuit. The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department controls access, and no standing information on boat hire, permits, timings or fees was found in the sources used for this page, so ask the department or the Kakinada tourism office before you set out.
Reaching the sanctuary starts in Kakinada. The city's railway station is Kakinada Town, and Rajahmundry Airport lies about 55 km from Kakinada. Summers are hot, so carry water and sun protection, and bring binoculars if you have them, since open water keeps many birds at a distance.
Known for
24 mangrove tree species across 235.7 sq km
Quick facts
Hot in summer, with the Kakinada area reaching 38 to 42 C in late May and June and cooling to about 18 to 20 C in January.
Rajahmundry Airport (RJA), about 55 km from Kakinada (distance from the sanctuary to be supplied). Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada airports are also listed for Kakinada.
Kakinada Town railway station (CCT), with the sanctuary about 8 km from Kakinada (distance from the station to be supplied)
The sanctuary is about 8 km from Kakinada, reached by road on National Highway 216. Drive times (to be supplied).
Confirm boat arrangements, permits and fees with the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department before travelling, as no official standing details were found
Bring binoculars, because many birds are seen at a distance across open water
Time a visit between January and March if olive ridley turtle nesting interests you, though sightings are never guaranteed
Location
Packages that visit Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
All packages →Godavari River Journey from Rajahmundry
A Godavari river tour from Rajahmundry: bridges, the Dowleswaram Barrage and a Papi Hills boat day, then Kakinada's beach and mangroves. Four private days.
Rajahmundry → KakinadaBackwaters & Houseboats
4D / 3NKakinada Coast and Visakhapatnam
A Kakinada to Visakhapatnam coastal tour in four days: Kakinada's beach and Coringa mangroves, then Kailasagiri, RK Beach and Simhachalam in Vizag.
Kakinada → Visakhapatnam (Vizag)Beaches & Coastline6D / 5NVizag and Araku Honeymoon
A Vizag Araku honeymoon package: six days of coffee hills, Borra Caves, Kailasagiri and quiet Kakinada sands, with a private driver.
Araku Valley → Visakhapatnam (Vizag) → KakinadaHoneymoon & RomancePlan a trip to Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Tell us your dates and we will shape the route.