Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1981 in the Eastern Ghats, rising from almost sea level to about 900 meters and forms one of the main sanctuaries in Orissa. The sanctuary extends over 166 square kilometers. Apart from elephants and tigers there are also sambar, mouse deer and a fascinating variety of fauna including migratory and resident avifauna.

The best time to visit this sanctuary is from December to February. The nearest town of the sanctuary is Nayagarh, situated about 60 kilometers away. The nearest railway station and airport are at Khudra and Bhubaneswar, which is, situated 80 and 150 kilometers away respectively. For accommodation, four forest rest houses have been constructed.

Satkoshia Gorge Sanctuary, was established in 1976 and, including a 22 kilometer long gorge where the Mahandi river cuts through the Eastern Ghats, the total sanctuary area is about 796 square kilometers. Dhenkanal is situated to the south of the gorge and to its north is Phulboni district. The nearest town from the sanctuary is Angul, situated at a distance of about 58 kilometers.

The nearest railway station is Talcher, about 76 kilometers away, while the nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar, 220 kilometers away. The forest type of Satkoshia sanctuary is one of mixed deciduous forest with predominant species of sal, mahua and bahera. The forest was at one time the habitat of tigers and leopards, but at present these faunal species are rarely found. About 10 kilometers south of the gorge at Purnakote and Labangi, Gharials had made their home in the Mahanadi River and this sanctuary was established primarily to protect the crocodile, an endangered species. A crocodile project was also set up with that objective.

The sanctuary is also the abode of varied species of avifauna - Indian adjutant stork, red jungle fowl, Indian pitta and more. After covering a distance of about 30 kilometers from Angul, the road bifurcates. One goes meandering to the left and reaches Labangi while the other goes to Mahanadi River after crossing Purnakote. This sanctuary can be visited at any season of the year, but the ideal tourist season is from December to April. For night stays there is a facility of Forest Rest Houses inside the Sanctuary. However, prior reservation form the Divisional Forest Officer, Satkoshia Wild Life Division is necessary.

Ushakothi Sanctuary, established in 1962 over a forest area of about 285 square kilometers, the Ushakothi Sanctuary is situated at a distance of about 22 kilometers from Sambalpur. To the west of the Sanctuary lies Hirakud dam. Principally comprising of dry deciduous forest type, floral species like sal, sandalwood, arjun, neem, acacia, casuarinas are of frequent occurrence. The fauna includes, amongst others, tigers, elephants, sambar leopards and bison. Presently there are about 15 tigers and 35 elephants in the sanctuary.

It is rich in avifaunal wealth and the main attraction of this sanctuary is racket tail drangos and flying squirrel. For night halts there is one two-roomed forest rest house inside the sanctuary. The reservations can be done through the Divisional Forest Officer of the same sanctuary, Bankura District, Sambalpur. The nearest town and railway station is Sambalpur and the nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar about 300 kilometers away. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between October and May.