Banke National Park was declared in 2010 to give Bardia's tigers more room. Together the two parks form a single protected block of about 1,437 km². The 2026 national census counted 51 tigers in Banke, double the 2022 figure, which made it one of the fastest-growing tiger populations in Nepal.
Tourism here is still small. There are few lodges and no established safari circuit, so we treat Banke as a half-day forest drive from Nepalgunj or a stop on the way to Bardia. Expect sal and riverine forest, dry stream beds, spotted deer, langur monkeys, peafowl and hornbills. Tiger sightings are rare.
Park entry is paid at the office near Obhari on the highway, and a licensed nature guide must accompany you inside. Go early, carry water, and expect dust between February and May. For a real chance of seeing tigers, spend your nights at Bardia instead.
Good for
- Photographers
- Solo
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
Is Banke National Park worth visiting?
It is worth a half day if you are curious about Nepal's newer parks or want a quiet forest drive from Nepalgunj. Facilities are basic and sightings depend on luck. For tigers, rhinos and proper lodges, Bardia is much better, and it is only an hour further west along the same highway.
How far is Banke National Park from Nepalgunj?
The park's edge is about 30 km east of Nepalgunj along the highway through Kohalpur, around 45 minutes by car. The East–West Highway runs through the park, so you also cross it on the drive to Bardia. Entry for a forest drive is from the park office area, with a licensed guide.
How many tigers are in Banke National Park?
Nepal's 2026 tiger census counted 51 tigers in Banke, up from 25 in 2022. Banke and Bardia are connected forest, so tigers move between them. Numbers are estimates from camera traps and change with each census, which is carried out roughly every four years.
