National Parks & Wildlife Reserves of Nepal
Jungle Safari & Nature Tours:

Chitwan National Park:
Area 932 sq.kms.

One of the oldest and most popular National Parks in Nepal is situated within the inner subtropical Terai lowlands of Southern-Central Nepal. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984.

The Park covers a pristine area with a unique eco-system of significant value to the world. It contains the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of the rivers Rapti, Reu and Narayani.

Approximately 70 % of the park vegetation is covered by Sal forests. The remaining vegetation types include 20 % of grassland, 7 % of riverine forest and 3% of sal with chirpine. The latter are found in the Churia (Siwalik) range. Which are the low hills after the Terai flatlands? The riverine forests mainly consist of khair, sisso and simal or kapok (the silk cotton tree).

The grasslands are a diverse and complex community with over 50 species. The Saccharun species, popularly known as elephant grass, can reach 8m in height. The shorter grasses such as Imperata are used by the locals for thatch roofs.

There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The Park is famous for the endangered and elusive "Royal Bengal Tiger". The park is home to the one horned Indian Rhinoceros, fresh water ghariel crocodile along with many other common species such as gaur (Asian bison) wild elephants, four horned antelopes, striped hyenas, pangolins, Gangetic dolphins, monitor lizards and pythons.

Other animals found in the park include sambars, chitals (spotted deer) barking deer, sloth bear, palm civets, langurs and rhesus monkeys.

The park is also famous for over 450 species of birds. Among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, the Giant Hornbill,
the Lesser Florican, the Black Stork and White Stork.

Common birds seen in the park including Peafowl, Red Jungle fowl, and different species of Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers. The best time for bird watching is around March and December.

More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded in the park, some of which are the Marsh mugger Crocodile, cobras Green Pit Viper and various species of frogs and tortoises. The Royal Chitwan National Park is also an educational field for botanists and zoologists alike.

The park is actively engaged in scientific studies and research concerning several species of wild fauna and flora.

The Royal Chitwan National Park has many lodges and tented camps inside and outside as well. The park can be reached via a 190 km road, a drive of approximately 5-6 hours and by air about a 20 minute flight to Megauli or to Bharatpur including a short ride by elephant or by a four wheel drive.

It may also be reached by the ultimate way with a surge of adrenaline and scenic floats Rafting on the Trisuli River.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Drive to Chitwan approx-5 hours drive from Kathmandu on the 190 km on the main east and west central highway. From the main road meet the staff from the Chitwan Jungle Lodge and transfer by four wheel drive or by an elephant to the Jungle Lodge through the park entrance. On arrival meet and welcome by the senior naturalist or the manger for the welcome brief and Information on do's and don't of the park, lodge rules and activities.

A fixed set lunch of continental or semi-continental lunch is served at 1 p.m. in the main dining hut. (If you are vegetarian or need Indian meals can be arranged prior to your pre-booking or on arrival) After lunch, at leisure for a few hours. Afternoon activities as per the Lodge set program for different groups. Afternoon Jungle program generally are elephant briefing & bathing (depending upon the depth and size of the river at different seasons) Nature or Introductory walk and Jungle drives.

After the afternoon jungle activities of 2-3 hours, refreshing hours at leisure, evening program slide show on Chitwan National Park and its history, flora and wildlife. Cultural Tharu Stick Dance. Usually dinner is served at 8 pm. The dinner will be buffet of Nepali dishes or Chinese-Indian dishes.

Day 02: Early, in the morning a knock at the door for your early Jungle activities. The morning jungle program will be according to group wise either Bird watch tour, Elephant Safari or a Jungle walk.

After the morning program of 1 1/2 to 2 hours back to the lodge for breakfast in the main dining hut, the tables are allocated according to different groups and guest wise. A few hours of leisure before the next program as above in Day one till evening time.

Day 03: Early morning wake up call with a knock at the door for different activities as in Day two. After breakfast, prepare to leave the lodge for the drive back to Kathmandu.

>> Jungle Safari

>> Parks & Jungle Safari