Bardia National Park Nepal is the largest untouched wilderness in the Terai region of Nepal. The park protects 968 sq km of sal forest and whispering grassland, bordering the Geruwa and Karnali Rivers. The atmosphere is wonderfully tranquil and with the current slump in tourism, you may well have the whole place to yourself. There are estimated to be around 22 royal Bengal tigers and 100 one-horned rhinos at Bardia but these animals are elusive and sightings are rare. Other mammals in the park include grey langurs, rhesus macaques, leopards, civets, hyenas, sloth bears and barking, spotted, sambar and hog deer. Bardia also has more than 250 species of birds, including the endangered Bengal florican and sarus crane. Gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles and Gangetic dolphins are occasionally spotted on rafting and canoe trips along the Geruwa River. Be warned that Maoist rebels are active on the fringes of the national park. Visitor numbers have plummeted since the start of the insurgency and most people visit on organized tours, which only run when the army and rebels are observing a ceasefire. It not a commercial tourist spot. There are no frills in Bardia unless you stay in a top resort. Meanwhile mid to budget resorts all offer similar types of accommodation. Bardia does not compare to popular Chitwan National Park in terms of commercial tourism. A visit to Bardia for the average tourist is one of adventure and real jungle treks with few other people around.
Bardia contains countless deer who are the primary source of food for the tiger population which is one of the highlights in Bardia. Although there are less Royal Bengal Tigers in Bardia than in Chitwan you have a greater chance at seeing them here. Fish are a major source of food for the 250 plus types of bird found in the area. Bardia’s largest attractions are also its largest inhabitants. Tigers, elephants and rhinos all roam through the jungle landscape. There's a huge amount of deer, jungle cats (including illusive and rare leopards) plus many monkeys.
Bardia National Park and Koshi Tappu Wildlife reserve are best known for the activity of Jungle Safari. Bardia national park tour provide habitat to different rare and endangered wild species which includes Royal Bengal Tiger, One horned Rhino, crocodile, four horned antelope, striped hyena, Gangetic Dolphin and many others with 550 species of birds. The activities of included in Jungle Safari are going deep into the jungle riding in elephant back viewing wildlife, ride canoe on the rivers embedded in the park to see crocodile and water birds in their natural habitat, nature walk, bird watching, village tour and cultural show. These parks are in the easily accessible via road or air both. Many adventurers also take rafting before heading for safari trip. This safari trip will be an extraordinary experience which you will remember your lifetime
Bardia National Park is open year round with most wildlife visible. However it's at the end of the dry season and start of the hot season in February to July that there is a greater chance of seeing tigers as they come out to the waterholes. This is Nepal's official "off season" in regards to trekking. Local guides also mention November and December as being good times though it's not that hot and can be very hazy.
4 Days Itinerary of Bardia National Park Tour
We have a 4-day itinerary for the Bardia National Park tour where you get to enjoy the most exotic wildlife, alluring rivers, and the ethnic Tharu people. If you wish to spend extra days on this tour, we are happy to customize the tour as per your preferences. But for this, you have to inform us beforehand the trip so that we can arrange the flights and accommodations.
Itinerary
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Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj takes an hour. From Nepalgunj airport, we will transfer you to Thakurdwara. Thakurdwara is a beautiful village at the entry point of the national park. We drive for around two hours from Nepalgunj to reach this entry point to the National Park.
You will go for a full day jungle walk into the national park and track wild animals. Our experienced guides will guide you through the forest. Our crew will ensure your safety. You will carry a lunch pack from the resort in the morning. You may spot a tiger, rhino or other animals. After breakfast, we begin to explore jungle in a jeep. This National park inhabits 53 mammals including rhinoceros, wild elephant, Bengal tiger, swamp deer, and Gangetic dolphin. Apart from this, 23 species of reptile and amphibian are found in the Park as Karnali and Babai rivers borders the area. We also visit at crocodile breeding center and the Tharu Museum. We embark on our wildlife discovery tour on a Safari float which is a pleasant way to experience the rivers and wildlife of western Nepal. We will be accompanied by a trained guide, well suited for maneuvering the river which does not have any rapids. Throughout the journey we get to admire the beautiful sub-tropical landscape along with the plentiful wildlife. Catching glimpses of wild animals quenching their thirst in the vast Karnali River will be an amazing experience! If you must know we would not be the only ones floating in the Karnali River as the river is home to endangered Gharial crocodile, marsh mugger and gangetic dolphins. There are also towers in the jungle from where you will shoot wild animals passing by. Experienced nature guide will help you to track wild life.
You will go on a jeep safari, deep into the national park. You will carry a lunch pack with you and stop at viewing spots, rivers and riverside to wait and watch wild animals. Depending on your preference, you can customize with other activities to do inside the National Park.You can go rafting or canoeing in the river for a few hours. In the evening, you will take part in a Tharu cultural show. Tharu artists perform their traditional dances and rituals. This will be an exciting opportunity to interact with and observe Tharu traditions.
The next day, we will return to Nepalgunj by an around 2 hours ride and take a flight back to Kathmandu.