Chitwan National Park Travel Guide
Safaris in Search of Rhino and Tiger
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Nepal’s most famous national park sits in the Terai lowlands close to the Indian border and covering some 932 sq km of hilly, deciduous sal forest and river flood plain. Amazingly diverse the park is perhaps the best place to take an elephant-back safari in search of the famous one-horned Indian rhino and the royal Bengal tiger. With much other wildlife and birdlife to see and the interesting Tharu culture to discover no wonder it’s a magnet for visitors.
Lying 120km southwest of the capital Chitwan is Nepal's first national park, being established in 1973. Covering an area of 932 sq km the park lies broadly speaking between the Rapti, Narayani and Reu Rivers edging south of the Reu towards the border with India. Park headquarters are at Sauraha, a popular accommodation centre and from here the authorities manage the land and its animals. The park was granted World Heritage Site status in 1984.
Largely made up of flood plain, sal forest, marshes, grassland and hills the park provides the perfect habitat for more than 300 of the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros and harbours one of the largest populations of the critically threatened Bengal tiger. Besides these there are four species of deer, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, grey langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, the gaur (the world's largest wild cattle). Gangetic dolphin, Asian elephant, golden monitor and gharial crocodile can all be found.
For the bird-watcher the park is a paradise with an incredible 450 species recorded. Resident species include woodpeckers, hornbills, Bengal florican, red-headed trogons whilst Brahminy duck, pintails and bareheaded geese visit in winter and paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and parakeets in the summer.
The Terai area around Chitwan is the home of the indigenous Tharu people who traditionally live in longhouses of up to 150 people. Built of mud with lattice walls the Tharu principally grow barley, wheat maize and the staple rice, raising chickens, pigs, goats and ducks as well as fishing the rivers. Traditionally the walls of their homes were decorated with colourful paintings.
Attractions in Chitwan National Park
The park itself is the main attraction, however there is also an elephant breeding centre 3km west of Sauraha and the Tharu villages are also interesting to visit; in Sauraha there is a tourist-orientated Tharu show at the Tharu Culture Program building.
Activities in Chitwan National Park
The chief attraction is of course an elephant-back safari in search of the wildlife and indeed several such excursions should be undertaken. Most people stay for 2 nights which allows for this, but if you have time a longer stay is recommended. Many of the lodges on the outskirts of the park are very comfortable and provide great places to spend several days even if the wildlife is not your prime interest. Lodges inside the park are more remote and some are very plush indeed; most are closed during the monsoon season as access roads are impassable.
Canoe trips of the Rapti can be arranged as can 4wd safaris into the park. Cycling is a great way to explore outlying Tharu villages and get to the elephant breeding centre.
Relaxing
Relax with a G and T after a safari as the sun sets and listen to the sounds of the jungle
Getting Around
Most packages include 3 days / 2 nights and include accommodation, some activities and transport. Once in Sauraha get around on foot and by hired bicycle; if staying in the park you’ll be surrounded by the jungle and will have few places to go, except on safari.
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