Chitwan National Park
Nepal
Defying the misperception that Nepal is only a country of mountains and hills, Chitwan National Park is a subtropical jungle on the Nepali flatlands bordering India. Once a royal hunting reserve, Chitwan National Park is now home to Royal Bengal tigers, gharial and mugger crocodiles, a large population of one-horned rhinoceros, and much more.
Many multi-day private tours of Nepal include a couple of days in the Chitwan National Park, usually en route between Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can also arrange a similar itinerary independently. 2–3 days is an ideal amount of time for exploring the park. Tours usually include a vehicle safari, a canoe ride, a Tharu cultural performance, a visit to an elephant or crocodile center, and sometimes a bike ride. You can mix and match individual activities if you’re more interested in some things than others.
There’s an entry fee to the park. This is usually included in the price of guided tours.
Wear natural colors in the park, such as brown and khaki, which helps you blend in and avoid scaring the animals away. Avoid red and pink.
Some safari packages include a walking tour, and while guides are professional, these can be risky. Ask to skip this if you feel uncomfortable.
Most visitors to Chitwan stay in Sauraha, about six hours from Kathmandu and Pokhara, depending on road conditions. You can also take a private vehicle and driver but this is much more expensive and no quicker than the bus. The nearest airport is Bharatpur Airport, which is connected to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other Nepali cities. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Sauraha.
February and March are the best months to visit. The park is uncomfortably hot between April and October. If you’re visiting then, limit your activities during the middle of the day—the animals are likely to be hiding, too. November–March is cooler, but the long grass that flourishes after the summer monsoon provides an ideal hiding place for animals and you won’t see much until February when the grass dwindles.
Most tourists stay in Sauraha, where there are many facilities. But for a more peaceful experience, check out the park’s west, around Godhar and Serganj. There’s plenty of accommodation but it’s more spread out. Safaris visit different parts of the park than Sauraha-based tours, so there’s less chance the wildlife will be scared off by a constant stream of vehicle traffic.
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