Elephant Nepal safari jungle Chitwan Park

This is the most visited and the best of Nepal’s Terai (lowland) National Parks.

The 932 km2 Chitwan National Park sits adjacent to the Indian border with Nepal and south of the Rapti River, which forms a natural boundary. The main mammals that might be seen include greater one-horned rhinos (chances very good), leopards (unlikely), elephants (you really don’t want to see wild ones if you’re on foot!), Royal Bengal Tigers (a decent chance) and sloth bears (possible). For a fuller list of mammals and birds link through. Reptiles include gharial and mugger crocodiles, plus various snakes, vipers etc.

Tourist options include a visit to a Tharu Culture Programme that features traditional dancing displays, a walk along the Rapti River on the buffer zone side (don’t think birds and monkeys respect park boundaries, but the river operates as a barrier to rhinos, elephants, sloth bears, leopards and tigers), an elephant safari ride into the park, which, though elephants are not the most comfortable form of transport, is an experience in itself and offers excellent chances of seeing rhinos, and an interesting visit to the elephant breeding centre.

Day-long safaris can be made on foot into the jungle and this is great fun. Don’t think it’s not without danger, attacks on tourists have happened, statistically the most likely problem is with rhinos, but ask the locals what they fear most and you’ll get any one of 4 answers; tigers, elephants, rhinos or the sloth bear. Safari guides are experienced at handling dangerous animals and they will do their utmost to protect you, however you should be reasonably fit, ie able to run faster than your mates and/or climb a tree (with the help of a safari guide if you’re lucky!). The commonest incidents involving tourists are with rhinos, advice is to climb the nearest big tree, though hiding behind a tree and zigzagging as you run may help, in addition throwing them something, eg a camera, coat or bra, whilst you’re running causes them to briefly halt and sniff the object. Sloth bears are predominately nocturnal and due to their extremely sharp claws are very dangerous, males will lacerate your face and females your nether region – huddle together and pray while your safari guide beats a stick on the ground. With tigers stare them in the eye and back away slowly. If chased by an elephant (unlikely as your safari guide should hear them at a distance) run very, very fast.

Alternatively full or half-day safaris can be made deep into the jungle by jeep, with an English-speaking safari guide, and canoe trips can be done on the river. You’re unlikely to spot a tiger, but the knowledgeable safari guides know their watering holes and you can wait and watch and the truth is you might see one. Do not go into the park without a certified safari guide or outside park opening hours, ie at night.

Half-day walking safaris into the jungle cover relatively safe territory.

Biking in the area, perhaps to 20,000 lakes, wetlands with rhinos, crocodiless plus birds (90 mins biking/40km away), or to local Tharu villages, is an excellent option. Accommodation can be arranged at 20,000 lakes if you’d like to overnight there. Near Sauraha a sea of yellow mustard flowers from late December to March. Canoe and rafting trips can also be done on the river.

Bird-watcher alert – the endangered Hodgson’s Bushchat winters here. The Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Finn’s Weaver and Terai Jerdon’s Babbler may also be seen, as well as Bengal Florican, Grey-crowned Prinia and Slender-billed Babbler. Other delights include Collared Falconet, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Brown Crake, Red Junglefowl, Indian Peafowl, River Lapwing, Small Pratincole, Jungle Owlet, Emerald Dove, Black-rumped, Himalayan and Greater Flamebacks, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Red-headed Trogon, Small Minivet, White-browed Wagtail, Long-tailed Shrike, Spot-winged Starling, Striped Tit-babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Hill Myna and Chestnut-crowned, Pale-footed and Spotted Bush-warblers, Crested Serpent-eagle and Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Speckled Piculet, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Great Hornbill, Green-billed Malkoha, Lesser Coucal, Plum-headed, Red-breasted and Blossom-headed Parakeets, Jungle and Puff-throated Babblers, White-bellied Yuhina, Crimson Sunbird, Streaked Spiderhunter and Black Baza. For a fuller list check here.

Accommodation is in the spread out village of Sauraha in the park’s buffer zone, mid to low budget places are available.

When to go? The best times are in the most temperate months, December to March, with the best time after the annual grass cutting in late January. Avoid the humidity and the bloodsucking insects and leeches of the monsoon (June to October) at all costs, wait till at least mid-October for the temperature to drop.

Chitwan National Park is easily reached from Kathmandu by a 30 minute flight via nearby Bharatpur. Alternatively tourist buses can be taken (5/6/7 hours from either Kathmandu or Pokhara). It’s about a 4 hour car drive from either Kathmandu or Pokhara.

For a 2 night package tour in a deluxe hotel we recommend the Hotel Westwood, US$ 240. This charge covers park entrance fees, a visit to a local Tharu village, a Tharu cultural show, canoeing on the river, a visit to an elephant breeding centre and a safari. A 3 night package, US$ 320, would include a bicycle trip to the 20,000 lakes. An extra night would cost US$ 60 for a twin room, 55 for a single. For a cheaper alternative we can book you in Hotel Parkland for a similar schedule at US$ 215 for 2 nights and US$ 285 for 3 nights. An extra night here would be US$ 85 for a twin room.

Alternatively we could find you a cheaper hotel – US$ 10/15 per person including breakfast – and/or put together an alternate programme for you including a day’s jeep safari, US$ 120 per day for your group for a jeep, driver and guide, a full day’s guide outside the park for US$ 12, a day’s bike rental for US$ 7 and guided tours on canoes for between US$ 7 and US$ 12.

The plane flight, including airport pick up/drop-off, via nearby Bharatpur is approximately US$ 95 each way. Public buses to and from Kathmandu or Pokhara would cost you US$ 5 each way and tourist buses about US$ 15.

All plus accommodation in Kathmandu.

Price includes airport pick-up/drop-offs, accommodation in a twin room in Sauraha, flights and transport to and from Kathmandu to Sauraha.
Price excludes accommodation and food in Kathmandu, travel insurance, tips, drinks and personal expenses.

Tiger Chitwan Park Nepal Safari Jungle Forest Fauna

Some of Us Get Lucky

Rhino Rhinoceros Chitwan Park Nepal Safari Jungle Forest Fauna

What You Probably Will See

Guide Locals Villagers Chitwan Park Nepal Safari Jungle Forest

Locals Plus Guide

Sloth Bear Chitwan Park Nepal Safari Jungle Forest Fauna

Sloth Bear

Gaur Chitwan Park Nepal Safari Jungle Forest Fauna

Gaur

Rufous-rumped Grassbird Chitwan Park Nepal Safari Jungle Forest Birds Fauna

Rufous-rumped Grassbird

Mustard Fields Chitwan Park Nepal Safari Jungle Forest Flora

Nearby Mustard Fields

Locals Villagers Chitwan Park Nepal Safari

A Local Village

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