Wildlife Parks in Nepal

Nepal for its small area has a surprisingly large number of National Parks. While the high Himalaya makes up the northern region, the Southern lowland known as the Terrai is covered with dense tropical jungles teeming with diverse wildlife and tropical birds.

Please contact us for Tailor Made Wild life tours in these Parks

Chitwan National Park (Chit -heart; Wan -jungle)
The Royal Chitwan National Park is Nepal's first National Park, built in 1973 during King Birendra’s rule. The massive expanse of 932 square kilometres of wild forest plays host to 43 species of animals and over 450 species of birds including the majestic Tiger. On one side it has the hilly Shivalik Range with its deciduous Sal forests while a fifth of the forest is made up of the flood plains of the Narayani, Rapti and Reu river, with tall elephant grass interspersed with riverine foliage of Kapok (silk cotton), Acacia and Sisam. On the other hand there are the swampy areas and a number of ox-bow lakes, which are home for marsh crocodiles. And finally along a stretch of the Narayani river are found the highly endangered gharial or Gangetic crocodile. The Gainda or the Greater One Horned Rhinoceros is one of the largest, most venerated animals, said to be endowed with magical powers according to local people. Unfortunately, this belief has led to the fast decrease in its number and conservationists are now looking at all possible ways of saving yet another animal from becoming extinct. Earlier there was a “gainda gasti” that acted as a Rhino Patrol Guard but today, protection is in the hands of the Royal Nepal Army. You will also come across lots of barking deer and spotted deer along with dozens of different birds like the drongo, giant hornbill, Jungle Warbler, Cormorant, Black Stork and the highly nervous jungle fowl.

Chitwan is easily accessible from Kathmandu (3 hours) being well connected by a national highway to Bharatpur and Sauraha.

Royal Bardia National Park
This 968 square kilometer Park is situated on the eastern banks of the Karnali river, 400 kms. from Kathmandu. It extends from the Churia Hills with their dry sal forests to the porous slopes of the Bhabar and its tall grasslands. During spring, the forest is abloom with the scarlet flowers of the red silk cotton tree and boasts one of the healthiest tiger populations in the sub-continent. The most conspicuous of the smaller animals are the spotted deer, Sambar, hog deer, black buck, wild boar and the rhesus Macaque.

By road from Kathmandu Bardia is a two day journey with an overnight hault at Butwal.

Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve (phanta – grassland)
Open grasslands – the biggest in the subcontinent - Sukla Phanta is situated in the extreme south west of Nepal and is home to some of the most endangered animals like the hispid hare and pygmy hog though they are not easy to spot. the grasslands are spilling with swamp deer or the barasingha. Their large herds (hundreds at times) stood out as a dark brown patch in the distance. The herds of males were even more delightful to see for their antlers made forked projections into the sky – a photographer’s dream during sunset. This park is still not fully commercialised, thus giving full satisfaction of wilderness.

From Kathmandu it is a 1 ½ hour flight every Saturday to Mahendranagar from where you will be picked up by the camp personnel. By road it is 750 kms away and takes roughly two days to get there. Another option is to come through the Indian side. Delhi is only 7-8 hours away by road and Bareilly a mere 2 hours.