Meghauli lodges run boat trips on the Rapti in the late afternoon, using wooden boats or dugouts poled by a boatman. You drift along the park side of the river, past sandbanks where mugger crocodiles and sometimes gharial bask, and below the grassland edge where rhino, spotted and hog deer come to the water as the heat goes out of the day.
Birdlife is busy at this hour: egrets and cormorants fly in to roost, kingfishers fish from overhanging branches, and in winter flocks of ruddy shelduck rest on the gravel bars. The sun sets behind the Churia hills to the west, and on clear days in October and November you may see a faint line of Himalayan peaks to the north before the haze rises.
The trip ends with drinks on the riverbank at some lodges, then a short drive or walk back before dark. It is gentle and suits all ages, though young children need to sit still. Bring a light jacket in December and January, when temperatures drop quickly after sunset.
Good for
- Couples
- Families
- Photographers
- Seniors
Questions travellers ask
Will I see rhinos on the Meghauli boat safari?
Often. Rhinos graze the grassland edge and come to the river in the late afternoon, especially from February to May. Spotted deer, mugger crocodiles and plenty of water birds are almost certain. Nothing is guaranteed, but this stretch is quieter than Sauraha and animals are less wary.
Is the boat safari safe for children?
Yes, with care. The boats are stable on a slow river, and children should sit in the middle and stay seated. Ask the lodge for child life jackets in advance. The trip lasts under two hours, which suits younger children.
Is the boat ride the same as the canoe in Sauraha?
It is similar but quieter. Sauraha canoes follow a set route through a busier stretch, while Meghauli lodges use wider sections of the Rapti near the grassland and the Narayani confluence. Wildlife is often closer and boats fewer, and the trip is usually included in the lodge package.
