One of the popular sanctuaries of Orissa, Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary is established in the vicinity of the Bay of Bengal. Situated near the coastline of Orissa, the Sanctuary is a picturesque place to visit for the nature lovers. The majesty and splendour of the panoramic landscapes of the East Indian state is further highlighted by the variegated species of wildlife and the lush foliage that envelops the landscape of the sanctuary. The Ambapani Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 77 km from the quaint little town of Bhawanipatna and 45 km from Nowrangpur, a town that exudes oodles of old world charm. There is a valley in the range of Ambapani hills, by the name Haladigundi that exhibits certain erratic shapes due to the reflected sunrays. The region of Ambapani is famous for the idol of Budharaja, which has been established in a small temple at the base of a hill.
The Ambapani Sanctuary is the second largest dense mangrove ecosystem in India. Ambapani is considered as both a Sanctuary and National Park. The entire area of the Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary extends for more than six hundred square kilometers. It is one of the rare repositories of the luxuriant mangrove vegetation in the world. In this sanctuary, more than sixty varieties of mangrove plants are found, which consist of wide unusual variety of plants. The pneomatophores which are the breathing roots stand like the sentinels of the land of Ambapani. Different types of vegetation that are found here are Teak, Bamboo, Salaia, Bel, Terminenalia Hiwar, Tendu, Casia, Zizphus, Kauriculata, Helicteres, Dhawda, Sal, Babul, Bija, species, Palas, and others.
The sanctuary also offers shelters to several species of wild animals and birds like Black Panthers, Spotted Deer and the state's national animal, the Sambar that inhabit the secluded enclaves of the wildlife reserve, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild bore, four-horned antelope, Jungle Fowl, Barking deer, Wild Dog, Chinkara, Blue Bull, Hyaena, Bear, Crocodile, and many others.