Sunderbans: West or East?

PeakXV

Would very much like to fit the Sundarbans into a November visit this year ... but would like to hear from wildlife pundits as to the pros & cons of visiting Sundarbans, West Bengal or Sunderban, East Bengal - Bangladesh!!

A private or semi-private boat/tour is an absolute must. A semi-private boat, only with patient and like minded wildlife officials/enthusiasts (not families or backpackers-on-an-excursion)would be fine.

.....because, really, if one wants to sit for an hour and wait for a brown-winged kingfisher to front or to worship Bonbibi over a set of steaming fresh pug marks - then time really should be on one's side.

Park penetration with respect to freedom of routes/waterways and overall acreage is also a concern and maybe related to boat size, park restrictions and/or current dacoit activities?

Access and/or interaction with villages/villagers who use these mangrove forests for sustenance is also an incentive that might be more organizible in one country then the other.

Lots of food for thought, I know - but any experiences or helpful information would be much appreciated.

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We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot

Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

vargoje3

Don't get eaten by tigers! I saw a show on the tigers of the Sunderbands and most are maneaters.....at least a lot of them.

PeakXV

I've got a red bandana that I aim to get blessed by a Sundarbans Shaman beforehand .... and a bug repellant with 50% Deet no sane maneating tiger would come within 10 miles with that kind of protection ..... would they?

PeakXV

..... but apparently you actually have a slightly better chance of being eaten by "chacha/mamu uncle" .... than actually spotting/photographing/filming one of them!