Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first, covers about 950 sq km of sal forest and grassland along the Rapti and Narayani rivers. Sauraha, on its northern edge, is the main base, about 165 km and 5–6 hours by road from Kathmandu or a 25-minute flight to Bharatpur. A standard 2-night package at ₹12,000–20,000 includes a jeep safari, a dugout canoe trip on the Rapti looking for mugger and gharial crocodiles, a jungle walk with naturalists and a Tharu cultural show. Rhinos are seen on most jeep drives; tigers are possible but never guaranteed.
Bardia National Park, around 968 sq km on the Karnali river, is Chitwan's quieter counterpart. It is about 95 km and 2.5–3 hours from Nepalgunj, which has flights from Kathmandu and a road border with India at Rupaidiha. Bardia has fewer lodges, fewer vehicles and good tiger sighting chances, especially from February to May when the tall grass has been cut and animals come to the rivers. Full-day jeep drives and walking safaris are the norm. Nepal's 2022 national survey counted 355 tigers, up from about 121 in 2009.
Smaller parks reward specialists. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in the east is a winter stop for migratory waterbirds and home to Nepal's last wild water buffalo, the arna. Shuklaphanta National Park in the far west has large herds of swamp deer on open grassland. October to March is cool and pleasant, with misty mornings in December and January; April to June is hot, often above 35 °C, but wildlife viewing peaks. Many lodges near Chitwan stay open through the monsoon, though park activities are reduced from July to September. Check current status before you travel.
How to choose
- Chitwan or Bardia
Choose Chitwan for a first safari, easy road and air access from Kathmandu or Pokhara, and a wide choice of hotels. Choose Bardia if tigers are your priority and you are happy with simpler lodges, longer days in the jeep and a flight to Nepalgunj or a drive from the Rupaidiha border.
- Stay at least two nights
One night in Chitwan gives you barely half a day of activities after the drive. Two nights allow a jeep safari, the canoe trip and a dawn walk; three nights add a full-day jeep drive deep into the park, which is where tiger and sloth bear sightings become more likely.
- Pick the right season
October to March has the most comfortable weather and the best birding. February to May, after the grass cutting, gives the clearest views of rhino and tiger, but April and May are hot. In the monsoon, rivers rise, some areas close and leeches appear on forest walks.
- Choose your lodge style
Sauraha has budget and mid-range hotels within walking distance of the river. Lodges such as Barahi Jungle Lodge, Kasara Resort and Meghauli Serai add naturalist teams, pools and better food at higher prices. In Bardia, family-run lodges near Thakurdwara offer simple rooms and experienced trackers.
