Best Time for Nepal Wildlife Holidays
The greatest time to go on a jungle safari tour in Nepal to observe tigers in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks is often from January to May when animals arrive around the decreasing waterholes.
However, temperatures from March to May can reach above 35°C, so plan on having challenging walking days. Consider traveling between October and February to experience the moderate climate of the Terai region.
In addition, October and November in particular offer the best weather for hiking in the Himalayas with bright skies and pleasant temperatures in the Terai. When the temperature rises beyond 25°C, red pandas become picky creatures who retreat into tree cavities and gloomy shadows.
It is better to book a wildlife tour in Nepal between mid-March and mid-May, or between October and November, when the climate of Nepal is moderate. Generally speaking, if you want to observe animals, you should avoid the monsoon season of July to September when rivers flood and some areas of Royal Chitwan National Park are inaccessible.
Rules and Regulations during Nepal Wildlife Holiday
You must follow certain regulations and rules while on your wildlife safari in Nepal to preserve the surrounding ecology, species, and habitats. These rules must be diligently followed by everyone to reduce the environmental effect and support the preservation of the biological balance inside the parks.
To preserve the National Park, a few rules and regulations must be followed:
- You need to get the required entry tickets and permits for the park you are visiting. Typically, the travel agent will arrange for them, or they may be obtained at the park's entrance.
- Never leave the approved routes or enter forbidden places in the park. By doing so, the environment is preserved and wildlife is not harmed.
- You must keep your distance from wild animals and not approach, feed, or irritate them. Binoculars might help you obtain a clearer and more detailed view without frightening the nearby wildlife.
- You must not make a loud noise in the park as it may disturb the wild creatures and also the experiences of other visitors.
- Never leave trash or other rubbish in the park. Use a small bag or container that you carry to gather your garbage, then properly dispose of it either outside the park or in one of the approved disposal places there.
- You are not permitted to take any plants, flowers, fruits, or animals—alive or dead—from the park.
- In national parks and wildlife reserves, it is against the rules to smoke or drink alcohol.
- There may be holy or cultural regions in certain parks that have rules about etiquette or clothing. Follow any instructions given by the park administration or local governments.
- Your guide is knowledgeable on how to properly and securely navigate the park. To guarantee a pleasant and safe jungle safari holiday, follow their guidelines and suggestions.
Cost for Jungle Safari Tour in Nepal 2024
Chitwan National Park Tour Cost
Green Valley Nepal Treks offers the 4 Days Chitwan National Park Tour Package Cost based on group size. Please follow for the group price details:
Bardia National Park Tour Cost
Green Valley Nepal Treks offers the 5-Day Bardia National Park Tour Package Cost based on group size. Please follow for the group price details:
Accommodations on Jungle Safari in Nepal
For jungle safaris, Nepal provides a large selection of lodging options to suit different tastes and price ranges. There are many different types of accommodations available to travelers, ranging from opulent safari camps to straightforward lodges.
- Budget-Friendly Accommodation: There are modest lodges and guesthouses in and near the national parks for tourists on a tight budget. Basic amenities like private or shared toilets, fresh rooms, and local food are typically offered by these motels.
- Mid-Range Accommodation: Compared to modest lodges, mid-range accommodations provide more comfort and facilities. In addition to air conditioning, air conditioning, on-site dining options, and often a swimming pool or other recreational amenities, they typically have individual rooms with associated toilets.
- Luxury Accommodation: Luxurious lodges and safari camps provide upmarket amenities, individualized services, and unique wildlife encounters for those looking for a more decadent experience.
Packing Essentials for Wildlife Tour in Nepal
To complete a jungle safari vacation in Nepal, certain essential equipment is quite crucial. You must have the appropriate gear since otherwise you could feel uncomfortable or might need to cut your trip short, depending on the place, season, and region. You are given a complete list of requirements to help you pack for the exciting wildlife trip in Nepal.
- Rain jacket/ Umbrella
- Water bottle
- Daysack
- Hand sanitizer
- Flashlight
- Pocket Knife
- First aid supplies and medicine
- Camera
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen cream
- Insect repellent
- Passport photocopy
- 4 copies of passport size photo (It will be better if you have one)
- Ear plugs
- Masks
- Pair of flip-flops
- Toiletries
Itinerary for Jungle Safari Tour in Nepal
Day 1: Arrival in Nepal and Journey to Chitwan
After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, you have three modes of transportation to go to Chitwan. Let’s discuss one by one which will suit you the best to reach the first destination of your wildlife tour in Nepal.
Every day, several domestic aircraft connect Kathmandu with Bharatpur. From Kathmandu to Bharatpur, a 20-minute domestic flight is available.
As it crosses from the mountain regions to the plains, this flight is one of Nepal's less picturesque ones, but it is by far the easiest way to get between the two locations. You can take a cab to your location from Bharatpur Airport.
The trip from Kathmandu to Chitwan takes approximately six hours on a perfect day. It's a beautiful journey that mostly follows the Trisuli Valley, which is known for its high hills covered with forest and farming communities.
At Mugling, the route swings south and heads towards the plains. However, there are sometimes two-hour or more delays in traffic, mainly when leaving the Kathmandu Valley at Kalanki and later in the Mugling area where long-running roadwork is taking place.
While private transport is relatively quicker than buses, they often have air conditioning, decent suspension, and the flexibility to stop wherever you choose.
Another means of transportation from Kathmandu to Chitwan is via tourist bus. Early in the morning, they depart from a location close to Thamel in Kathmandu and reach Sauraha several hours later.
They often make a few stops for lunch and bathroom breaks. Most tourist buses have air conditioning and offer a mediocre level of comfort. There are also local buses available, however, they are often quite unpleasant and less secure than tourist buses.
Day 2: Exploring Chitwan National Park
You will start your Nepal Jungle Safari Tour experience today. In Chitwan National Park, you may go on a Jeep safari or an elephant safari. You will get the chance to see animals in the wild, including tigers, rhinoceroses, snakes, elephants, and numerous birds.
You may take a canoe journey down the Rapti River and get the chance to see birds and crocodiles. To learn about the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park, you may take a guided nature walk.
Additionally, you can visit the elephant breeding center in Chitwan National Park. You may visit the Tharu village in the evening to learn about tharu culture and traditions. While visiting Tharu village, you can taste their local foods, which attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
Day 3: Journey to Bardia National Park
You will leave Chitwan today and travel to Bardia. You may achieve this by using a domestic flight or a tourist bus to travel via land. After traveling by plane for around one hour and ten minutes to Nepalgunj, you may take a jeep to get to Bardia.
Bardia may be reached by bus in around 11 hours. Mahendra Highway is still under construction, therefore it might take longer. Traveling by plane is preferable to the other option since you will save time and have more time to explore the destination.
Day 4: Wildlife Encounters in Bardia National Park
As part of your Nepal Jungle Safari Tour, you will tour another national park today, Bardia National Park. The Royal Bengal Tiger is the most famous animal in Bardia National Park.
The main draws for tourists to this park are its lush foliage, one-horned rhinos, and Bengal tigers. Bardia National Park's remote areas can be explored on an elephant safari.
You will get the chance to see endangered animals like the one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tigers on this wildlife tour in Nepal. You can additionally embark on a forest walk with knowledgeable guides to spot different bird species.
You may connect with local Tharu people and learn about their customs, and way of life, and taste cuisine after finishing your jungle safari. By doing this, you might also discover a distinct culture and assimilate into it.
You may also take in Tharu ethnic dance performances and learn what makes their traditional music unique and real.
Day 5: Back to Kathmandu
From Bardia, you may take a domestic airplane or a tourist bus back to Kathmandu. When taking a domestic flight, you must hire a cab to get to Nepalgunj Airport before boarding an aircraft to return to Kathmandu.
You may reserve a direct bus from Bardia to Kathmandu if you choose the second option.
By bus, it takes several hours to reach Kathmandu, as Mahendra Highway is under construction, it can be more difficult because your bus will have to stop more frequently due to traffic jams.
So, it will be better if you take a domestic flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu, as you will save time to purchase souvenirs in Kathmandu for your loved ones back home.
Day 6: Final Departure
On this final day of your Nepal Jungle Safari Tour, you will say goodbye to Nepal and return to your country with a wealth of wonderful memories to cherish lifelong.
Conclusion
The Nepalese government and tourism companies are making great efforts to manage and promote both Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park.
The government has also focused on different strategies to make sure that visitors have a first-rate wildlife experience that supports and funds numerous conservation initiatives and anti-poaching efforts to save the animals and plants in both national parks.
This is an excellent illustration of how the cooperation of the national park authority and tourism companies may create an efficient model for conservation in Nepal.
Many visitors to the parks are informed about the numerous conservation initiatives taking place nearby and given an overview of them, which leaves them feeling motivated and inspired to support and contribute to their continued protection.
