Wildlife Safari in Nepal
While the high Himalayas make up Nepal's northern region, the southern low land, known as the Terai, is covered with dense tropical jungles teeming with diverse wildlife and exotic birds. Hereyou will find some of the most exciting safari destinations in the world. You will be going into deep jungle on elephant back or four-wheel drive vehicle to view wild animals in their natural habitat. Other thrills are canoe ride, nature walks, birds watching excursions, and village tours and in the evening local Tharu people perform their cultural dance by the fire (depending on the lodge) or the expert naturalists introduce you with the history of parks, animals, birds etc through slide shows or orientation program. So JUNGLE SAFARIS in Nepal will provide you with thrilling experience as the national parks of Nepal are rated as probably the best parks in the Asia and in the World.
ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Among the 14 national parks and wildlife reserves in the Kingdom, the Royal Chitwan National Parks (932 sq. Km) is the most popular safari destination. More than 43 species of animals are found in Chitwan. The endangered One Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger, Gharial Crocodile, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, and theGangetic dolphin are the main attractions here. The best part is that it is close to Kathmandu and easily accessible (only 165 km overland ), and Bharatpur airport adjoining the park is a mere 25 minute flight away (there are daily flights form Kathmandu). Many adventures also choose to go down by raft. However you go, a jungle safari is an experience you will remember for a long time.
The Normal program for Chitwan is for 2 nights and three days. from Kathmandu it takes only half and hour to reach the park by flight, 4 hours by car or 7 hours by raft. In fact rafting is the most thrilling way of reaching the park if you are not afraid of water and love adventure. The rafting river (TRISHULI) follows the road to Chitwan after 90 minutes of drive from Kathmandu.
Your program start from your arrival in the lodge or resort you are staying in. After your arrival you are served with the hot lunch and after lunch, depending on the location of the resorts, you are taken for an exciting tour of elephant breeding centre or Tharu village walk or jungle ride. You will be spending next full day in the park with activities like elephant back safari to view the animals, dug out canoe ride, bird watching tour, jungle walk, tharu village walk etc. In the evening the resort will organize you tharu cultural dance or slide shows or other forms of entertainment (depending on the lodges). Next day waking up early in the morning you will proceed to jungle walk to encounter the animals and the birds early. After breakfast if you are traveling back to your destination transfer is provided or if you are extending the stay other program follows
KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE
Situated in Eastern part of the country, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Resort covers 175sq.kms and it was established in 1976. Rapid and complete inundation of the reserve to depth ranging from 10 to 300cms occurs during the monsoon. The Sapta -Koshi river also changes its courser from one season to another. The vegetation is mainly tall Khar -patter grassland with a few patches of Khair -sisso, scrub forest and deciduous mixed reverie forest.The reserve offers important habitat for variety of wildlife. The last surviving population (about 10individuals) of Wild buffalo is found here. Other mammal's occurring here are hog deer, wild deer, spotted deer and blue bull.
This reserve is one of the best habitats for bird in Asia (probably in the world). A Total of 280 different species of birds have been recorded here. These include 20 species of ducks, 2 species of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons and the endangered swamp partridges and the Bengal Floricans. In the winter bird as far as from Siberia and Tibet come to stay in this reserve So if you are looking for bird watching tour this may be the best option in entire Asia. That's why the reserve is called he bird watcher's paradise.A trip to Koshi is best for at least 3 nights and from 3 nights it will be better to have as many times as you can manage to get into the deep grassland to view rare species of birds and animals.
Access: 45 Minutes of flights from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and 45 minutes of drive from the Biratnagar will take you to the door of National Park. If you wish to travel by road it will take 1 2 hours from Kathmandu by normal car/coach
ROYAL BARDIA NATIONAL PARK
Situated at south eastern side of Nepal and close to the Indian border, the park is one of the most icturesque and unexplored national park in Asia. One hour of smooth flight to Nepalgunj and 4-5 hours drive rom there will take you to the park. The park is best known for the largest wild tusker in Asia. The other activities in the park include, elephant back safari, rafting, Bird watching and Jungle excursion with swimming and fishing. The best time to visit the park is from October to April. It is better to plan the trip for at least 3 nights to Bardia National Park so as to view more wildlife and to get the maximum of the trip.
KHAPTAD NATIONAL PARK
Khaptad is Nepal's newest national park, receiving its designation only in 1985. It consists of 225 sq. km of forest and grassland, and lies on a plateau where the districts of Bhajhang, Bajura, Doti and Achham meet. The forest comprise a mixture of tall fir, yew, rhododendron and oak along with dense stands of bamboo and numerous shrubs, and represents one of the last remaining such areas in the lower Himalaya. The vegetation provides a natural habitat for healthy population of wildlife, including the musk and barking deer, bears various birds including the impedance pleasant. One flower. Known as Bheeg and resembling a white rose, grows in several parts of the park. It is said to be so poisonous that single sniff from close up can be lethal.
Khaptad Swami among Nepalis, Khaptad is best known as a holy site and is closely associated with a widely revert ascetic who lived here for Mandu years and who was known simply as the 'Khaptad Swami'. The origins and background of Khaptad Swami, who died in 1996 at the grand old reported age of 110, are shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that he was a doctor from India who renounced his worldly life in favor of a purely spiritual existence in a remote part if the holy Himalaya. In any event, he never divulged either his name or anything of his own life to anyone-including to King Birendra who went to consult him several occasions. He was undoubtedly a good, learned and widely read man who also had a good command of English. He lived in a cave on the eastern side of the park to where pilgrims traveled from far and wide to see him and receive his counsel and blessings. It is said that Khaptad Swami was instrumental in persuading the King to give National Park status to Khaptad. About 1 km from the Swami's cave is the small Bhagawan Shanker Mandir with a Dharmalala. Nearby is the small pond, or Pokhari, whose water is said to be lethally contaminated by the Bheeg and other toxic flowers growing around it. Symptoms of poisoning are believed to begin with joint pain, lethargy, nausea and vomiting. Some people carry lemons and chills with them as an antidote when walking through the area, through it is interesting to remember that strings of lemons and chills are also widely used elsewhere to ward off evil sprits. Fencing now surrounds the pond. The Khaptad Mela [Festival] takes place in September / October and attracts several thousand pilgrims from throughout Nepal for whom this pilgrimage is believed to be especially meritorious. Celebrations include the pouring of milk over the Linga of the Bhagawan Shanker Mandir and, reminiscent of Diwalii, the lighting of ghee lamps at night. Visiting Khaptad very few westerners ever visit Khaptad. The best time to visit is from April to September. The monsoon is relatively weak in West Nepal. At other times, snow makes travel to and through most areas impractical.