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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 toured on elephant back, 4WD,
dugout canoe or on foot accompanied by a licensed guide.
Nepal has 16 national parks, wildlife
reserves and conservation areas, 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
Suklaphanta wildlife reserve, all located in the Terai.
Royal
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the most popular destination for
tourists wanting to have a good experience of the region’s
wildlife. It was  declared
a National Park in 1973. In 1984, UNESCO designated it as
a 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
470 species of mammals, over 500 species of birds, 126 species
of fish, 150 species of butterflies and 47 species of reptiles
in the park! A recent study also points out that over a
third of Nepal’s tigers are in Chitwan.
The Park is spread over an area of 932
sq. kms. and located in the lowlands of the kingdom. The
forest cover is predominantly sal, interspersed with tall
grasslands, small hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains.
The best time to visit Chitwan is from
October through February, when the temperature averages,
25 degrees Celsius. The months of March, April and June
can be extremely hot, while July-September is the mon-soon
season when rivers swell and parts of the park are inaccessible.
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Royal
Bardia National Park
The Royal 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 bound on the north by the Chure 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 rhino-ceros, swamp
deer, leopards, Jungle cats, blue bulls (nilgai) sloth bears,
barking deer and langurs. There are a few wild elephants,
and one of the males is considered the largest in Asia.
The Geruwa river that rushes in through
a break in the hill range is home to the famous mahseer
game fish, gharial, magger crocodile and the freshwater
Gangetic dolphin. The park also has cobras, kraits and pythons.
The park boasts more than 250 species
of birds, including the endangered Bengal florican, Sarus
crane and many species of geese, ducks and parakeets.
The activities include jungle safari
on elephant back walks, boat rides and Jeep drives. The
best time to visit is from October-March.
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Royal
Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve
Suklaphanta is a smaller (305 sq km) version of Bardia.
Located at the southwestern extreme of the Kingdom, its
topography is primarily riverine floodplain, open grassland
and sal forest. It also has a large lake and the Bahini
river flows through the park.
 The
Park is home to tiger, leopard, a good number of swamp deer
(prime habitat, often sighted), otters, his-pid hare, blue
bull (nilgai), hog deer and wild boar.
The park also has over 300 species of
birds and most of the tourists who make the trip here are
keen bird watches. Reptiles include gharial and mugger crocodiles,
Indian python, cobras, kraits, rat snakes and monitor lizards.
Activities include wildlife watching
on elephant back and jungle walks. The time to visit is
February-March.
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Parsa
Wildlife Reserve
Parsa Wildlife Reserve is located to the east of the Royal
Chitwan National Park. It is spread over 499 sq. km of hills
and flatlands,  and
has a sub-tropical monsoon climate. The forests are predominantly
sal, with other specials like chir pine, sissoo and khair,
and grasslands making up the rest. This reserve has tigers,
leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs (dhole), deer, blue bull
(nilgai), hog deer and barking deer. It also is home to
over 300 species of birds, including the endangered giant
hornbill and the Bengal florican. Snakes found are cobras,
kraits and pythons.
October to March is just right of a visit.
Activities include safaris on elephant back and Jeep, and
jungle walks.
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