JUNGLE SAFARI IN NEPAL

JUNGLE SAFARI IN NEPAL                                      A trip to Nepal is incomplete if you have not been on a jungle safari. While the mountains of the north have some of the highest and most magnificent peaks in the world, the tropical jungles of the Terai preserve some of the best wildlife habitat in the subcontinent. Some of these rich wildlife habitats are now protected, and can be tours on elephant back, 4 WD vehicles, and dugout canoes or on foot accompanied by a licensed guide. Nepal has 16 national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation area, occupying 16% of its total geographical area. Jungle safaris on elephant back or Jeep rides are offered at the Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Royal Bardia National Park, Royal Chitwan National Park and the Royal Sukhlaphanta wildlife Reserve, all located in the terai. Among them, there are two famous two National Parks Royal Chitwan National Park, & Bardia National Park where you can explore the wild-life getting yourself deep into the heart of the forest, while the others serve as the natural habitat to thousands of animals including Snow-Leopard, Gharials, Crocodiles, Ram, Bob Cats, endagered Red Panda, Elks, Deers, Anteplores, Kasturi, monkeys, hundreds of birds (in fact Arun Valley has the largest population of birds (650+) and butterflies (800+) in the entire world), and butterflies.

1. Chitwan National Park

This park is the most popular destination for tourist wanting to have a good experience of the regions wildlife. It was declared a national park in 1973. In 1984, UNESCO designated it as Natural World Heritage Site. The park offers protection to 56 species of mammals including the one horned rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Gangetic dolphin and wild bison. There are an estimated species of birds, 126 species of fish, 590 species of butterflies and 47 species of reptiles in the park. A recent study also points out the over a third of Nepal's total population is in Chitwan.

2. Bardia National Park

The Bardia National Park is spread over 968 sq. km. and located in the western Nepal Terai. It is easily the largest and least disturbed wilderness spread in the terai and is predominantly sal forest sprinkled with tall grasslands. It is bounded on the north by the Churia Hills and is skirted on the west by the Geruwa River. It is here that your chances of spotting a tiger in Nepal are the highest. Other animals include the rhinoceros, swamp deer, leopard, jungle cats, blue bulls, sloth bear, barking deer, and languor. There are a few wild elephants and some of the males are considered the largest in Asia The Bardia National Park is spread over 968 sq. km. and located in the western Nepal Terai. It is easily the largest and least disturbed wilderness spread in the terai and is predominantly sal forest sprinkled with tall grasslands. It is bounded on the north by the Churia Hills and is skirted on the west by the Geruwa River. It is here that your chances of spotting a tiger in Nepal are the highest. Other animals include the rhinoceros, swamp deer, leopard, jungle cats, blue bulls, sloth bear, barking deer, and languor. There are a few wild elephants and some of the males are considered the largest in Asia. The Geruwa River that rushes in through a break in the hill range, is home to the famous masher game fish, gharial, marsh mugger crocodiles and the freshwater Gangetic dolphins. The park also has cobras, kraits and pythons. The park boasts more than 250 species of birds, including the endangered Bengal florica, Sarus crane and many species of geese, duck and parakeet