Far from the peaks of the frozen Himalayas, big cats move silently through broadleaf forests and elephants stride proudly through riverine grasslands. These are the jungles of Nepal’s southern lowlands, and they’re home to an astonishing variety of iconic wildlife species. A jungle safari in Nepal offers a wholly immersive experience into these unique habitats, and there’s no better place on the Indian subcontinent to get up close and personal with tigers, elephants, rhinos, and so much more. Here’s what you need to know about Nepal’s best national parks:
The crown jewel of Nepal’s national parks system, Chitwan National Park is easily the most well-known and most-visited of them all. The park dates all the way back to 1973, when it was known as the Royal Chitwan National Park and served as a hunting reserve for wealthy royalty. Today, the park formally protects more than 350 square miles of untrammeled wilderness—and it’s the best place in Nepal to find the elusive Bengal tiger. There’s nothing that can prepare you for the awe you’ll experience when you come face-to-face with this majestic predator, but there’s also much more to see here in Chitwan. With a little luck, you’ll discover the wild Asian elephant, Indian rhinoceros, sloth bear, mongoose, crocodile, and more. Keen birders will also find Chitwan to be something of a paradise: the park has recorded well over 500 unique species within its borders.
Bardiya National Park lies at the confluence of the Karnali and Babai rivers in southwestern Nepal, and it represents what is perhaps the most undisturbed wilderness in the entire country. You can access this remote, heavily forested wildlife reserve with either a long drive or a short flight from Kathmandu—but whichever route you choose, this detour is worth your time. The park is home to the Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant, swamp deer, mugger crocodile, and more than 200 distinct bird species. The incredibly rare Ganges river dolphin can even be found in the waters of the Karnali. Remarkably, this national park in Nepal is actually even bigger than the more famous Chitwan National Park.
It’s important to note that while you’ll see a few unscrupulous operators offering elephant-back rides, Iconic Himalaya Adventure has taken a firm stance against exploiting these intelligent animals with the cruel methods that are used to train them. Instead, we encourage our guests to seek out wild elephants in their natural habitat—it’s a far kinder and far more rewarding experience. It’s also important to remember that while the national parks of Nepal offer wildlife encounters in spades, we can’t guarantee that you’ll see any specific animal. But with a little luck and the help of our qualified guides, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience during your jungle safari in Nepal.
