WILDLIFE TOURS AND ACTIVITIES IN NEPAL



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Wildlife Safari in Nepal.

Our country Nepal is also a land of untamed jungles that cover its Himalayan foothills beckoned with wild adventure. The Terai lowlands are defined by a belt of well-watered floodplains stretching from the Indian boarder in the south to the first slops of the Nepalese mid-hill range in the north. This is the richest habitat in the land with tall grassland inter-spread with rivers and hard wood Sal forests. Among the 14 national parks and wildlife reserves in the Kingdom, the Royal Chitwan National Park and the Royal Bardia National Park is the most popular safari destination.

More than 43 species of animals are found in Chitwan & Bardia. The endangered one-horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, Gharial crocodile, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, and the Gangetic dolphin are the main attraction here. Here one can see wildlife such as the swamp deer, musk deer, black buck, blue bull, the Royal Bengal tiger, Gharial & mugger crocodiles and the last of the one horned rhinoceros or simply ride on the back of an elephant.

For bird lovers, the wetland of Koshi Tappu is the heaven, it is the major international staging point for migratory wader, waterfowls and the birds of prey in Nepal. The area is the largest expanse of wetland in Nepal and holds rich variety of marsh birds. It is also of interest for some birds typical of dry grassland and shrubs.

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Royal Chitwan National Park.

INTRODUCTION: Nepal's first and most famous national park is situated in the Chitwan Doon or the low lands of the Inner Terai. Covering as area of 932 Sq Km. the park includes hilly areas of the Siwalik Range covered by deciduous Sal forest. One fifth of the park is made up of the floodplains of the Narayani, Rapti and Reu Rivers and is covered by dense tall elephant grass interspersed with reverine forests of 
silk cotton (kapok), acacia and Sisam trees. 

Access: Chitwan is easily accessible from Kathmandu, being well connected by a national highway to Bharatpur and to Sauraha ( Approx 165 Kms drive from Kathmandu). There are daily flights from October through May to Meghuli & Bharatpur airstrips just outside the park boundary. Another exciting alternative is a two-three day raft trip down the Trisuli river to Narayanghat or directly into the western edge of the park.

Accommodation: Visitors can stay in one of the several lodges and camps inside or outside the park. Visitors can actively participates in exciting stalks through the forest looking for animals-signs. One unique Chitwan experience is elephant back safaris in search of the one - horned rhinoceros, leopard, deer, beer, monkey and crocodile. Few visitors can ever forget the excitement of crashing through 20 feet high elephant grass and sightseeing wildlife. Apart from elephant safaris, the traveler will be happily occupied for several days with nature walks, canoe rides down the Park Rivers, and land - rover drives through the forest.

The park is the last remaining home in Nepal for more than 450 of the endangered Asian one-horned rhinoceros, the area around Sauraha is the best place to see rhinoceros.
Best Season: The best time to visit this park is from mid-September till May - I'm saying so as per my own experience, But one can visit the park through out the year. 

SPECIALITIES: This ecologically diverse area is the last remaining home in Nepal for more than 400 of the endangered Asian one-horned rhinoceros and harbors one of the largest populations of the elusive and rare Royal Bengal tiger. Besides rhino & tiger, Chitwan also supports a great variety of flora and fauna. There are four species of deer, including the spotted Chital, Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild boar and Rhesus monkey. Grey Langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, the white stocking gaur (the world's largest wild cattle) and many other smaller animals. The swampy areas and numerous oxbow lakes of Chitwan provide a home for marsh crocodiles. In a stretch of the Narayani river is found one of the few remaining populations of the rare and endangered fish-only eating Gharial, or Gangetic crocodile. Here also is found one of the world's four species of freshwater dolphins. For the ornithologist and the amateur bird watcher the park offers excellent possibilities with more than 450 species recorded. Some of the resident specialties are several species woodpeckers, hornbills, Bengal florican & redheaded trogons. Winter birds such as waterfowl, Brahminy duck, pintails and the sanctuary of the park's river draws bareheaded geese, amongst many other cold weather visitors. In the summer the forest is alive with nesting migrants such as the fabulous paradise flycatcher, the Indian pitta and parakeets.

ACTIVITIES: The minimum recommended stay is 2 nights - 3 days but at least the stay of minimum 3 night in the park is necessary to cover all activities as mentioned here. 

Jungle drives, Nature / Jungle walk, Bird watching, Dugout canoe excursion, Cultural dance presentation, Game viewing on elephant back, Cultural tours to local community, Observation from tree top blinds, Exploratory trips according to schedule, Jungle drive (seasonal).

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Royal Bardiya National Park.

INTRODUCTION: The Royal Bardia National Park is situated on the eastern banks of the Karnali River, about 400 kms. west of Kathmandu. The park is 968 sq kms. in area and extends from the Churia hills southward to the gentle slopes of the "Bhabhar". The higher grounds of the Churia have dry deciduous forest of mostly hardwood Sal. The porous slopes of the Bhabhar support large open grasslands known locally as 'Phantas'. These are some of the last remaining grasslands that once covered much of the Gangetic plains.

The western end of the Bardia is bounded by numerous water – ways of the Karnali that have created many large and small gravel islands. These islands and much of the lower ground area covered by a mosaic of grassland and reverine forest of acacia, sisam and the large buttressed silk cotton trees. In spring, the silk cotton blooms and the forest come alive with scarlet flowers.

Access: It is one-hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, from where it is a three-hour drive to the park. One can take 14 hours direct bus-journey from Kathmandu to near by Park also. 

The park is still a home to the undisturbed population of  Royal Bengal Tiger & Wild Elephants. 
Accommodation: Visitors can stay in one of the several lodges and camps inside or outside or in the adjoining of the park. Visitors can actively participates in exciting stalks through the forest looking for animals-signs. One unique Bardia experience is elephant back safaris in search of the one - horned rhinoceros, leopard, deer, beer, monkey and crocodile. Few visitors can ever forget the excitement of crashing through 20 feet high elephant grass and sightseeing wildlife. Apart from elephant safaris, the traveler will be happily occupied for several days with nature walks, canoe rides down the Park Rivers, and land - rover drives through the forest.

Best Season: The best time to visit this park is from mid-September till May - I'm saying so as per my own experience, But one can visit the park through out the year. 

SPECIALITIES: Bardia is the home of a wide variety of animals, many of which live in and around the Phantas. These open grasslands such as Baghora and Lamkoli are the best places to view animals. The most conspicuous of which is the spotted deer. Other ungulates Include black buck, hog deer, Samber deer, wild boar and Barasingha or swamp deer. Two species of monkeys, the Langur and the rhesus macaque are also present. The park is famous for its small herds of wild elephant, which are rarely seen. The park also boasts a small population of the rare Gharial, the marsh mugger crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin. The island of the Karnali River harbors the sub - continent's largest antelope species, the Nilgai or blue bull. The species such as herons, kingfishers and wall creepers. More than 350 bird species have been recorded in Bardia, truly a bird watcher's paradise.

ACTIVITIES: Generally, These are planned to highlight each feature of the Park. The minimum recommended stay is 2 nights - 3 days but at least the stay of minimum 3 night in the park is necessary to cover all activities as mentioned here. 

Jungle drives, Nature / Jungle walk, Bird watching, Dugout canoe excursion, Cultural dance presentation, Game viewing on elephant back, Cultural tours to local community, Observation from tree top blinds, Exploratory trips according to schedule, Jungle drive (seasonal).

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Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.

Introduction: The wetland of Koshi Tappu is the major international staging point for migratory wader, waterfowls and the birds of prey in Nepal. The area is the largest expanse of wetland in Nepal and holds rich variety of marsh birds. It is also of interest for some birds typical of dry grassland and shrubs.

The Koshi River is the biggest river of Nepal and is harnessed by embankments in the east and west of the river and a kilometer long barrage is built on the southern end. Extensive area of marshes, reed beds and sandbanks flank the river north of the barrage. During the monsoon there are large expanse of open water formed when the marshes flood. In winter the water levels are low, the marshes dry out to leave pools and streams, and large sandbanks appear along the river. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976 and covers and area of 175-sq. km. Due to its international importance for the conservation of waders and waterfowls it has been accorded Ramsar Site by the Wetlands Convention in 1987.

Access: The Koshi Barrage lies in the East West Highway and the KTWR Headquarters lies at Kusaha, 18 km from the barrage and only 2.5 km for the Jamuwa point of East West Highway. There are day and night bus services to reach Koshi Tappu from Kathmandu, one should stop at Jamuwa or Lauki Bus Stop. It is eleven hours drive from Kathmandu to reach Koshi, two hours from Kakarvitta Border and only one hour from Biratnagar Airport. There are number of daily flights to Biratnagar from Kathmandu. At least minimum 2 night / 3 days of stay is required to do birding in Koshi Tappu. 

Accommodation: There are only 3 lodges till June 2001. The best one, I like is at Kusaha - named "Aqua Bird Unlimited Camp", offers good food, friendly naturalists, good service and 15 luxury tented camps for lodging. Kusaha is the entry point for the reserve and the main center for the activities such as Elephant Back Riding, Boating at Sunkoshi River etc. So the visitors to the reserve feels easy to stay here . Another two lodges are situated in Prakashpur and Madhuban village (about 25 Kms north-east from Kusaha).

Best Season: The best time to visit Koshi is from October till March - I'm saying so as per my own experience, But one can visit the reserve through out the year. One of the best times to visit this site is in February and early March when the main wildfowl passage takes place. In mid February a peak of over 50,000 ducks, mainly Northern Pintail have been estimated. Most of the site is easily reached by vehicles, boats, and bicycles and on foot. The best sites for bird-watching is between the river, grassland, bushes and marshes along the eastern embankments from Haripur to Madhuban. The barrage and the wetlands nearby it, the Pink tower is also good for bird-watching. Rare mammals occurring are Gangetic Dolphins, Wild Water Buffalo, Smooth Coated Otters, Fishing Cats, Nilgai Antelope, Hog Deer etc.

Activities: The minimum recommended stay is 2 nights - 3 days but at least the stay of minimum 3 night in the reserve is necessary to cover all activities as mentioned here. 

Bird Watching, Boating on Sunkoshi River ( One of the best river for rafting in the world), Elephant Back Riding / excursion to the wetland, Walk to the sandy grass land to see the flock of Wild Water Buffalo, Walk to Jhangad villages near by, Jeep drive to Koshi Barrage., Drive to wetland, Cultural tours to local communities, etc.

The reserve is home to the last surviving population of Wild Water Buffalo (arna) in the world. In one of my visits on April 2001, I observed about 150, they were in six different groups.

Specialties: Bengal and Lesser Florican, Indian Courser, Hodgson's Bushchat can be found north of the Pink Tower. In the barrage Little Pratincole, Indian Skimmer, waders, gulls, terns etc can be seen. 

One of the best times to visit this site is in February and early March when the main wildfowl passage takes place. In mid February a peak of over 50,000 ducks, mainly Northern Pintail have been estimated. A total of 25 wildfowl species have been recorded including regular sightings of Bar-headed Goose, Comb Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Falcated Duck, Red-crested Pochard. Wader passage also takes place during this period although it also extends into mid May. Pacific Golden Plover, Temmincks Stint, Pintail Snipe, and Marsh Sandpiper occur annually. In additions small numbers of gull and terns can be seen both wintering and on passage. These include Great Black-headed and Brown-headed Gulls, Gull-billed, Caspian and Whiskered Terns. 

It is also a best site to watch for birds of prey includes Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fish Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Pallid and Pied Harriers, Greater-spotted, Steppe and Imperial Eagles, Peregrine and Red-necked Falcon.

Bird Check-List: 

  1. Winter (regular): Little Cormorants, Black Stork, Baillon's Crake, Spotted Bush Warbler, Paddyfield, Clamorous Reed, Dusky and Smoky Warblers and Black faced Buntings.
  2. Winter Visitor (rare): Fulvous Whistling Duck, Baer's Pochard, Grey-headed Lapwing, Chinese Bush Warbler, and Palla's Grasshopper and Black-browed Reed Warbler. Spring (regular): Hoopoe, Rosy Pipit, Yellow, Citrine, and White Wagtails and Blue Throat Spring (rare): Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Sand Plover, and White-winged Black Tern, Oriental Pratincole, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Indian Skimmer and Jerdon's Bushchat.

    Summer (breeding): Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, Watercock, Pheasant-tailed Jacana. 

    Resident (regular): Cattle, Little, Intermediate and Large Egret, Black-crowned Night, Purple and Pond Heron, Asian Open-bill, Wooly-necked, Black-necked (regular breeding species), Greater Adjutant and Lesser Adjutant Storks, Lesser Whistling Duck, Spotbill, Swamp Francolin, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Purple Gallinule, Bronze-winged Jacana, Great Stone Plover, River and Black-bellied Terns, Lesser Coucal, White-tailed Stonechat, Graceful and Yellow-bellied Prinia, Striated Marsh Warbler, Black-breasted and Streaked Weavers and Red Avadavat, Yellow legged button-quail, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Brown Hawk Owl, Indian Nightjar, Indian Grey Hornbill, Great Grey Shrike, Indian Silverbill, Chestnut Munia and Black-faced Buntings.

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