Bardia National Park Travel Guide
Little-visited Park with Great Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
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Difficult to get to and therefore overlooked by many visitors to the country this alone is one of the great reasons to visit Bardia. Others include its spectacular wildlife - rhino and Bengal tiger included. You can explore by elephant, 4WD and canoe to look for wildlife and the more than 250 species of birds that can be found. As with Chitwan there is a strong Tharu presence in the region making Bardia culturally attractive too.
At 968sq km Bardia National Park is the largest area of protected Terai in Nepal and sits on the eastern banks of the Karnali river, about 400 kms west of Kathmandu. Extends from the Churia Hills southward to the gentle slopes of the Bhabhar the higher ground of the Churia have dry deciduous sal forest whilst the Bhabhar support large open grasslands known locally as 'phantas'. These are some of the last remaining grasslands that once covered much of the Gangetic plain.
Attractions in Bardia National Park
Bounded by the numerous waterways of the Karnali gravel islands area covered by a mosaic of grassland and riverine forest of acacia, sisam and the large buttressed silk cotton trees which turn scarlet in spring. Bardia is home of a wide variety of animals, many of which live in and around the phantasm and these include blackbuck, hog deer, sambar, wild boar and barasingha or swamp deer. Gharial, the marsh mugger crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin all live in the park’s waters. Whilst small numbers of one-horned India and rhino and Bengal tiger live in the park these are seldom seen as are the famous herds of wild elephants.
More than 350 bird species with much waterfowl along with kingfishers and wall creepers; in all more than 350 bird species have been recorded in Bardia, truly a bird watcher's paradise.
Finally, numerous Tharu villages surround the park and add a cultural element to a visit to the region and these can be visited on organised excursions, as can the Tharu Museum at the park HQ.
Activities in Bardia National Park
Elephant-back and 4WD safaris are available into the park through accommodation providers or the park HQ and guided walks are also available. Other means of exploration include raft and boat.
Relaxing
Find a quiet spot in the grounds of you accommodation and sit still with your binoculars and you’ll be surprised at just what you’ll see
Getting Around
Bardia is difficult to get to independently; the best way of getting there is on a package booked from home or in Kathmandu through a reliable travel expert. Such packages include all transport and thus getting around presents no problem.
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