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Established in 1973,
Chitwan National Park was Nepal’s first national park
and remains its premiere wildlife park. Bordered by the Rapti river
on one side and the Mahabharat hills on the other, Chitwan national park
is mere 150 meters above sea level, geographically part
of Terri lowlands, a northern most region of the Gangetic
plain. While Chitwan may not exude the variety of wildlife
of African parks, it offers fine diversity of flora and
fauna. One-horned rhinoceros are undeniably
Chitwan's unique asset, reportedly counting nearly 400 at
present. The Royal Bengal tigers used to inhabit Chitwan in
large numbers, with some 3,000 roaming Chitwan forests and
surrounding areas as late as 1940s but as man has continued
his quest for tillable land and more forests in Mahabhart
foothills have been cut, the more pressure upon wild expanse
of open space tiger needs, hence the negative effect upon
his habitat. At present tiger count at Chitwan has
dwindled to less than a hundred, and likely even less than
that as tigers are now rarely seen in Chitwan. Monkey,
bears, antelopes and crocodiles are some of the most common
mammals. Chitwan however is birder's paradise with more than
400 species within the park.
The ideal way to see Chitwan
is by staying in one of the luxury lodges within the park.
To make the most of your visit you need at least three
nights, four days to make the visit from Kathmandu. As
transfers by road can take as much as seven hours from
Kathmandu, best way to visit Chitwan is by half an hour
flights from Kathmandu to either Bharatpur or
Meghauli, transfer to the park from there, and return
the same way. For a good choice of hotels with discount
prices, visit
Where to stay in Kathmandu for more information. All lodges offer accommodation in either,
rooms, bungalows or tented camps. Part of the all-inclusive
package are elephant rides, jungle drives and nature walks
as well as canoeing trips. Among the luxury lodges are a
real institutions, most in business for twenty to nearly
forty years, namely Gaida Wildlife Camp, Chitwan
Jungle Lodge, Machan Paradise View and one with
the best reviews specifically on account of offering the
highest standard of naturalists, Tiger Tops.
Should you prefer to visit
Chitwan as part of an overland jeep safari and tailor it
into an itinerary that may include other parts of the south
of Nepal, for example Lumbini, or see Chitwan as part
of a tour to
Pokhara, email us with a request for a
custom designed itinerary.
Best time to visit Chitwan
is November to February. Spring, March to June is very
hot in Chitwan due to pre-monsoonal heat. Although rainy
season may not be the best time for most it is definitively
time when jungle comes alive and all vegetation is lush and
vibrant, though rain, mud and swollen streams and rivers
make for difficult outings into the jungle. Fall colors and
clarity of air bring out a special ambiance in Chitwan.
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