Everything You Need to Know about India's Floating National Park

The park is actually an integral part of Loktak lake. This lake is filled with floating vegetation called phumdis. These floating vegetations have been the natural habitat of the sangai deer which are basically the brow-antlered deer. But this rare species of deer was on its way to going extinct as its natural habitat was in danger. To save the sangai deer, the lake was declared a sanctuary and thus we got, rather the world got its first-ever floating national park!

You can board a flight, take the train or hit the roads to reach Imphal city and from there, you can easily access the national park. Here are more details on how you can reach your destination.

Imphal has its own airport, so you can book a direct flight to the city. After you have landed at the airport, take a private cab or opt for any public transport to the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

The nearest railway station to Keibul Lamjao National Park is in Dimapur, which is 220 km away from Imphal. From the railway station, private as well as public transports are available.

Imphal is well-connected to the rest of Manipur via roadways. So, you can take a bus to Imphal from the neighbouring cities or you can also go in a private vehicle. If you ask us, a road trip to Imphal and followed by a short drive to the Keibul Lamjao National Park will be a treat to your sour eyes!

You can visit the Manipur Keibul Lamjao National Park any time of the year. Still, here are a few things you should keep in mind. Avoid visiting during the monsoon, because the heavy rain here can disrupt your plans. So, the best time to visit is anytime between the months of October and March.

While we are on the topic, let’s talk about the visiting hours. The Keibul Lamjao National Park remains open for visitors from 9 am to 6 pm. But we will suggest you visit either between 9 am to 10 am or 3.30 pm to 6 pm because, during this time span, the herds of the sangai deer come out to feed. So, you will have the best chances to see the rare species!

You will need two things. The first one is an entry fee of Rs. 30 or in the case of foreign travellers, Rs. 200. And the second and more important thing is the Inner Line Permit. For foreign visitors, Restricted Area Permits are mandatory requirements!

When you are at the first floating national park in India, rest assured that you will have plenty to explore!

You already know about the phumdis, which you can see here in abundance. But there are more to see! Apart from phumdis, around 223 aquatic plants live here in the national park. Yes, the number is quite interesting! You can see Alpinia galanga, a type of herb used in cooking. You can also spot Khoimom, a type of grass with white flowers and dioscorea bulbifera, a species of yam!

The key attraction of this floating national park in India continues to be the sangai deer. But if you look around, you will get to see many more magnificent wild animals. Hog deer, large Indian civets, jungle cat, bay bamboo rat, common shrew, musk shrew, sambar and flying fox are just a few of them! The list does not end here! The national park houses many aquatic animals, reptiles and amphibians as well!

You can definitely call this national park a paradise for bird lovers. Because the list of the bird living in this national park is a long one! Lesser skylark, northern Burmese pied myna, hill myna, North Indian black drongos, yellow-headed wagtail and jungle crow are to name a few

You can just reach the national park and start roaming around. But to explore the park in the best possible way, we have 2 suggestions for you!

You can best explore the small water channels of the national park in boats. You will get a guide with you, who will take you through all the water channels and help you spot the wildlife.

There are many observation towers that give you amazing aerial views of the national park. You can also see all the birds and animals from the tower!

The Keibul Lamjao National Park definitely one of a kind national park and is also one of the best places to explore the best of wildlife in India. Take our words on this and plan a trip to the national park right away!