Nepal Wildlife — Chitwan & Bardia
A 12-day naturalist-led tour through Chitwan and Bardia National Parks — Nepal's sal-lowland and riverine-forest terai. Game-spotting is on foot, by jeep, and by dugout canoe, never on captive elephants. Max-12 group, full-board lodges next to the parks, and a park-licensed naturalist on every drive and walk. Bookended by the Kathmandu Valley and a half-day at Lumbini.
About this trek
Nepal's terai — the lowland belt along the Indian border — holds two of South Asia's strongest mammal populations: the Greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Chitwan, and the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Bardia. This 12-day tour pairs both parks with a Kathmandu Valley bookend (Shivapuri walk-in, Patan and Bhaktapur on the return) and a half-day at Lumbini en route between them.
Game-spotting is by jeep on park tracks, on foot with an armed park ranger, and by dugout canoe on the Rapti (Chitwan) and Karnali (Bardia) rivers. The canoe runs are also the best window onto the Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and the critically endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus).
What we do not offer. We do not run elephant-back safaris. Game-spotting is on foot, by jeep, or by dugout canoe — never on captive elephants. We do not stage elephant bathing, tiger-baiting, or any captive-animal encounter. If you have booked a Chitwan trip elsewhere that included an elephant ride, this is not that trip.
Sightings are not guaranteed. Tiger and sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) in particular are uncommon and depend on the season, the track, and luck. Come for the sal forest, the grassland, and the rivers; treat the big cats as a bonus.
Trip Facts
- Best season
- Feb–Apr and Oct–Nov (optimal); operable Dec–Apr and Jun–Nov
- Group size
- 2–12 trekkers
- Total distance
- ~5 km
- Avg walking
- 5–8 km foot safaris; no full trekking days (estimated — operator to confirm)
- Start / end
- Kathmandu → Kathmandu
- Accommodation
- Hotel in Kathmandu (B&B); full board at park lodges in Chitwan and Bardia
- Guides & porters
- Park-licensed naturalist guide on every game-spotting activity (vehicle-based tour, no porters)
- Minimum age
- 12+
Trek Highlights
- Jeep and foot safaris in Chitwan National Park — sal lowland and tall Saccharum grassland
- Dugout canoe on the Rapti and Karnali rivers — gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) habitat
- Bardia National Park — Nepal's strongest Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) population
- Greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) — Chitwan held ~700 individuals at the DNPWC 2021 census
- Sal lowland and riverine-forest birding — Sarus crane (Antigone antigone), Bengal florican, Spiny babbler (Turdoides nipalensis, Nepal endemic)
- Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini bookends — Shivapuri Nagarjun day walk; Maya Devi temple and the Sacred Garden
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Airport pickup and hotel in Thamel or Patan. Trip briefing with your naturalist guide.
Book a Departure
No published departures right now — get in touch and we'll set up a private date.
Upcoming Departures
Feb–Apr 2026
1 departureOct–Nov 2026
1 departureCustom and private departures available year-round on request.
What's Included
- Private land transport between Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, and Bardia
- Domestic flight Bardia (Nepalgunj) — Kathmandu
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (B&B) and full board at park lodges in Chitwan and Bardia
- Chitwan and Bardia National Park entry fees
- Jeep safaris, guided jungle walks, and dugout-canoe trips on the Rapti and Karnali rivers
- Park-licensed naturalist guide on every game-spotting activity
- Bird and mammal checklist
- Government taxes
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Meals in Kathmandu beyond breakfast
- Bottled drinks and alcohol
- Nepal visa fees and airport tax
- Tips for guides and drivers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer elephant-back safaris?
No. We do not run elephant-back safaris. Game-spotting on this tour is on foot, by jeep, or by dugout canoe — never on captive elephants. We also do not run elephant-bathing activities. If you specifically want an elephant ride, this is not the operator for you.
Will we see a tiger?
Maybe. Bardia has Nepal's strongest Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) population, but sightings depend on season, track conditions, and luck. We do not guarantee a sighting and we do not bait. A numeric tiger-sighting rate from our last three seasons is being audited (TBC) before we publish it.
Will we see a rhino?
Likely. Chitwan held ~700 Greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) at the 2021 DNPWC census — sightings on the Rapti canoe run and grassland jeep tracks are common, but not guaranteed.
Is Bardia safe?
Yes. Foot safaris are accompanied by an armed park ranger as mandated by DNPWC. Lodging is in Thakurdwara village, outside the park boundary.
Why two parks instead of one?
Chitwan and Bardia hold different mammal assemblages and different terrain. Chitwan has the strongest rhino numbers; Bardia has the strongest tiger numbers and the Karnali river system (gharial, dolphin). Twelve days lets you see both without rushing either.
How fit do I need to be?
Easy. Foot safaris cover 5–8 km on flat tracks and canoe trips are seated. The Shivapuri day on Day 2 is the only ascent (≈400 m gain over 4–5 hr).
What's the realistic sightings picture?
Rhino in Chitwan is likely on a two-day visit; tiger in Bardia is uncommon and never guaranteed; sloth bear and leopard are rare; gharial and river dolphin depend on river level. We will not publish a percentage until our own log is audited (TBC). Operators quoting "90% tiger sighting" on a Bardia trip are either lying or baiting.
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