Into the wild: Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Think about Nepal, and most of us think of lofty peaks and trekking. So, when I got an opportunity to explore the wildlife and spiritual side of Nepal, I jumped at the offer. The Himalayan country is home to an impressive array of wildlife and untouched pristine nature. Chitwan National Park is one of the premier drawcards in Nepal. Chitwan National Park safari, chitwan safari, chitwan national park hotels, elephant safari chitwan,

This UNESCO World Heritage-listed reserve protects more than 932 sq km of forests, marshland and grassland, which once extended over the foothills of India and Nepal. Established in 1973, this was the first national park of Nepal that became the last remaining refuge for the single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros. Moreover, you can even spot the Bengal Tiger (if you are lucky) along with other wildlife animals like crocodiles, elephants, sloth bears, leopards, gaur, otters and exotic birds, among others. While the wildlife is the main crowd-puller, the lush foliage is second to none.

The lyrical landscapes hemmed with forested hills, flushing rivers, verdant vegetation and the mighty Himalayas as the backdrop make the park an area of exceptional natural beauty and truly worthy of its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only does Chitwan National Park attract tourists in hordes, but it has also become the epitome of sustainable tourism. Here is everything you need to know about planning a trip to the park.

Things to do and see in Chitwan National Park

1. Canoeing in a scenic landscape

There are national parks best explored on a Jeep Safari or on foot. But Chitwan National Park is best explored Canoeing, preferably at a golden hour. We got to go on a scenic canoe ride during the sunset. I remember Amandine (a friend who I met during the Kerala Blog Express also happened to be in Nepal for #BITM) pointed out across the bank and said, “Look, those are crocodiles!”

I ignored her comment, thinking she was simply pulling my leg. But indeed,d they were real. They were simply not moving and just relaxing on the bank. My eyes sparkled with joy seeing so many of them in the wild. A sense of excitement and anticipation enveloped me as a few of them swam next to my canoe.

I was shocked at how close they were. The long and narrow canoes that fit up to 10 people were a good place to take pictures. Though we were told that it was safe, Amandine and I talked about how easily the big crocodiles could topple us over if they wanted to.

In one instance, we saw a crocodile move off the river bank and into the water, heading in our direction! We could see his round, beady eyes and scaly head, and we were like, OMG! They could be anywhere at any given time—literally! 

I believe the crocodiles here are mostly marsh mugger crocodiles that don’t really care much for nor come too close to people. They are known to prefer fish, other reptiles and mammals. Nonetheless, they are still powerful creatures who can get defensive if provoked, so it’s best to keep a distance.

The experience was definitely worth it, though. Plus, it was all the more beautiful at sunset when the orange lights reflected against the waters.

Aside from crocodiles, you can also see quite a lot of birds and mammals here. You can spot kingfishers, monkeys, and all sorts of other animals. 

Price: 500 rupees per person, per hour. Private tours are more expensive and vary in cost depending on the number of people and length of time.

2. See one-horned rhino in real

If you ask any zoologist or naturalist about the state of rhino populations worldwide, they would most definitely paint a bleak picture. Unfortunately, their numbers are falling at a stupendous pace, and some subspecies are on the verge of extinction. However, exceptions are always there. Nepal’s Chitwan National Park is one such exception. Here, the Asiatic one-horned variety is not only reversing the trend and rising but actually thriving. We were lucky enough to see a rhino during our safari. I spent all of last year doing safaris in India and Sri Lanka, but even so, the last time I saw a rhino was back in South Africa, way back in 2014!

Disclaimer: Though the internet shows pictures of a lot of rhinos in Nepal, there is a good chance you will see them, but there is no guarantee. Most of the tour guides know this and will probably inform you. We personally saw three rhinos.

One of my groupmates showed me a video of a rhino sighting on the streets—right outside his hotel! The rhino experience really can vary depending on your luck and the time of day. 

Like all other animals, Rhinos are peace-loving animals. They won’t attack you unless they feel threatened. If you see a rhino – stay behind or on the side. Rhinos don’t turn their heads. If you stand in front of them, it gives them the perfect position to attack you. So don’t!

3. Immerse yourself in the Tharu Cultural Show

This is an hour long show which takes place in the evenings. We did the same thing in Kandy, but this cultural show is rather important because you get to know all about the Tharu, which is an ethnic group indigenous to the Himalayas. Not only are they an ethnic group, but they are also considered a nationality of their own.

The show gets more interesting midway. The peacock dance, fire dance, and other dances seemed to capture the audience’s attention and elicit participation. At the end, they gift a rose to a random audience member. All in all, it was a good experience.

Tickets cost 200 rupees per person, particularly foreigners.

4. Witness the stunning Sunset and Sunrise 

The sunset views at the Chitwan National Park are amazing and extremely calming, free from any unnatural colours brought about by pollution. Sunset and sunrise are best seen near the river, which has a perfect reflection on the water.

5. Support Local Tourism and Fight against Poachers

Tourism helps fight against poaching. By buying tickets to visit the National Park, the rangers working in the area are able to have the necessary resources in order to keep poachers from killing the wildlife in the area. Not only do you get to see the beauty that nature has to offer, but you also get to support a valuable cause. 

When is the best time to visit the Chitwan National Park?

We went to the first BITM conference in January, and we were told it was a good time. Usually, the best times to visit are during the dry season months—particularly towards the end of the year, when the Tigers gather around the sources of water. October to February are good times to visit.

One season to avoid is the hot season, from March to May, where the heat and humidity can be unbearable. June to September is monsoon season, when visiting the park is difficult and pretty much undoable due to flooding.

How to reach Chitwan National Park 

1. Drive from Kathmandu. As per Google Maps, the Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park drive takes approximately 5 hours, but it can take up to 7 hours.
2. Bus – Take a bus from Kathmandu to Sauraha, where the Chitwan National Park is located.
3. Flight – Fly to the nearest airport to the National Park, the Bharatpur Airport, which is 30 minutes away from Sauraha.

How much does a Jungle safari cost in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Entrance to the Chitwan National Park costs 2000 Nepalese rupees per person per entry. (For foreigners)

Types of Safari in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

1. Jeep – This is the most expensive and common of all options. You cover a lot of distance but sometimes the noise tends to scare the animals away. A private jeep safari costs 5000 rupees per person for a group of two. Safaris with a larger number of people per jeep work out to be cheaper but get too crowded and noisy.
2. Canoe – A canoe ride through the Rapti River is the best way to explore the beauty of the park in pristine ways. A typical boat ride with shared persons costs 500 rupees per hour.
3. Walking – Walk through the jungle tracks to find out secrets. A private walking safari will cost around 2000-3000 rupees with guide already included. Be sure to cover up as mosquitoes are abundant.
4. Elephant Riding – Please don’t support this safari method as the elephants are mostly abused — we saw how they torture the elephants to obey. It was quite sad.

Where to stay in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal?

All kinds of accommodation options are available near Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Staying inside the park is not allowed

• Luxury hotels in Chitwan National Park:
  Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, Barahi Jungle Lodge
• Midrange hotels in Chitwan National Park:: Kasara Resort
• Budge hotels in Chitwan National Park:t: Landmark Forest Park, Sarang Wildlife Sanctuary, Green
  Park Chitwan

What to pack before visiting the Chitwan National Park?

• Comfortable clothes: Comfortable sneakers and walking shoes, T-shirts, pants, sweater/jacket, shorts and raincoats (please avoid dark/bright colours – neutral colours are best for safari). Swimsuit, slippers or sandals for hotel use
• Sun protection: Polarized sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Sunscreen lotion with high SPF.
• Toiletries and medicines: mosquito repellent/DEET. Prescribed medication (including antihistamine) along with toiletries
• Electronics: Multi plug adapter, power bank, binoculars, headlamp, camera with a good telephoto lens and extra batteries
• Others: Extra Cash and a small backpack to use every day to carry your water bottle, sunscreen, snacks…

Is it worth visiting the Chitwan National Park?

Before visiting Nepal, I was only aware of its adventure highlights, but wildlife tourism is an integral and upcoming draw for the country. While there has been news of Rhinos poaching, after meeting countless volunteers, conservationists, naturalists, and forest guards, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Rather than being relegated to creatures of the past, Rhinos are definitely part of Nepal’s present and future.

However, when you visit Chitwan National Park treat your wildlife excursion as a treasure hunt. After all, wildlife is a treasure. You should manage your expectations accordingly, especially when it comes to sighting some of the larger mammals like the rhinos and tigers. Personally, we saw three rhinos but there were others who didn’t see any at all.

All in all, your sighting experience really depends on exactly which animals you’re looking for. Aside from the Rhinos, you can enjoy watching other animals and learn all about the conservation of wildlife—safaris are different in Nepal. They aren’t only about hiking and sightseeing but also about helping out and saving the lives of the animals living in the park from poachers.

Hope this travel guide on visiting the Chitwan National Park inspires you to visit it soon. While I recommend visiting the National Park, I would urge you to also check out the following articles:

• The Everest Base Camp Trek
• How to deal with Acute Mountain Sickness
• Nepal’s Women of Steel
• Ranthambore National Park

Have you ever visited the Chitwan National Park or Nepal? If yes, I would love to hear from you.

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Disclaimer

Travel See Write was invited by the Nepal Tourism Board to attend the #BITM conference in 2019 and #HTMNepal in 2017. Everything expressed above is based on their personal experiences in the country. Images used are shot by us. Please do not copy anything without written permission.