JUNGLE
SAFARI
Introduction
A trip to Nepal is incomplete if you have not been on a jungle
safari. While the mountains of the north boast some of the highest
and most magnificent peaks in the world, the tropical jungles
of the Terai still preserve some of the best wildlife habitat
in the subcontinent. Some of these rich wildlife habitats are
now protected and can be toured on elephant back, 4WD, dugout
canoe or on foot accompanied by a licensed guide.
Nepal
has sixteen national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation
areas, occupying 16% of its total geographical area. Jungle safaris
on elephant back or Jeep rides are offered at the Parsa Wildlife
Reserve, Royal Bardia National Park, Royal Chitwan National Park
and the Royal Suklaphanta wildlife reserve.
Royal
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the most popular destination for tourists
wanting to have a good experience of the region’s wildlife. It
was declared a National Park in 1973. In 1984, UNESCO designated
Royal Chitwan National Park a Natural World Heritage Site. The
Park offers protection to 56 species of mammals including the
one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild
elephant, striped hyena, Gangetic dolphin and wild bison. There
are estimated to be 470 species of mammals, over 500 species of
birds, 126 species of fish, 150 species of butterflies and 47
species of reptiles in the park! A recent study also points out
that over a third of Nepal’s tigers are in Chitwan.
The
Park is spread over an area of 932 sq kms and located in the lowlands
of the kingdom. The forest cover is predominantly sal forest,
interspersed with tall grasslands, small hills, ox-bow lakes and
flood plains.
The
best time to visit Chitwan is from October through February, when
the temperature averages 25 degrees Celcius. The months of March,
April and June can be extremely hot, while July-September is the
monsoon season when rivers swell and parts of the park are inaccessible.
Royal
Bardia National Park
The Royal Bardia National Park is spread over 968 sq
km and located in the Western Nepal Terai. It is easily the largest
and least disturbed wilderness spread in the Terai, and is predominantly
Sal forest interspersed with tall grasslands. It is bound on the
north by the Chure hills and is skirted on the West by the Geruwa
river, a branch of the Karnali which is a major tributary of the
Ganges.
It
is generally known as the best place where your chances of spotting
a tiger in Nepal are the highest (even Chitwan comes a second!).
Other animals include the rhinoceros, swamp deer, leopards, jungle
cats, blue bulls (nilgai), sloth bears, barking deer and langurs.
There are a few wild elephants here and one of the males is considered
the largest in Asia!
The
Geruwa river that rushes in through a break in the hill range,
silt laden and full with snowmelt, is home to the famous Mahseer
game fish, gharial, mugger crocodile and the freshwater Gangetic
dolphin. The park also has cobras, kraits and pythons.
The
park boasts more than 250 species of birds, including the endangered
Bengal florican, Sarus crane and many species of geese, ducks
and parakeets.
The
activities here include jungle safari on elephant back, jungle
walks, boat rides and jeep drives. The best time to visit the
park is from October through March. The months of April-June are
unbearably hot while July-September is monsoon time.
Royal
Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve
Suklaphanta is a smaller (305 sq km) version of Bardia
in many ways. Located at the southwestern extreme of the kingdom,
its topography is primarily riverine floodplains and open grassland
and sal forest. It also has a large lake and the Bahini river
flows through the park.
The
park is home to tiger, leopard, a good number of swamp deer (prime
habitat, often sighted), otters, hispid hare, blue bull (nilgai),
leopard, hog deer and wild boar.
The
park also has over 300 species of birds and most of the tourists
who make the trip here are keen bird watchers. Reptiles include
gharial and mugger crocodiles, Indian python, cobras, kraits,
rat snakes and monitor lizards.
Activities
here include wildlife watching on elephant back and jungle walks.
The best time to visit the park is Feb-March. December and January
are cold and visibility is poor due to foggy conditions, while
April to June is hot.
Parsa
Wildlife Reserve
Parsa Wildlife Reserve is located to the east of the
Royal Chitwan National Park. It is spread over 499 sq. km of hills
and flatlands, and has a sub-tropical monsoon climate. The forests
are predominantly sal (Shorea robusta), with other tree species
like chir pine, sissoo and khair, and grasslands making up the
rest. This reserve has tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs
(dhole), deer, blue bull (nilgai), hog deer and barking deer.
The reserve also records over 300 species of birds, including
the endangered giant hornbill and the Bengal florican. Snakes
found here are cobras, kraits and pythons.
The
best time to visit the reserve is during October to March, when
conditions are best. The summer months April-June can be oppressively
hot, while July-September is the rainy season. Activities here
include safaris on elephant back and jeep, and jungle walks.
Access
and Accomodation
Chitwan
RNAC operates daily flights from Kathmandu to Meghauli ($72 each
way). There are also flights to Bharatpur (Narayanghat) for $55
each way. The flights take about half an hour. If you want to
stay at Sauraha, the budget accommodation place for Chitwan, get
to Tadi bazaar, located 15 km east of Narayanghat on the Mahendra
highway. Royal Chitwan National Park is easily accessible from
Kathmandu, connected by a national highway from Bharatpur to Sauraha.
Sajha Yatayat buses cost around Rs.80 from Kathmandu or Pokhara
while tourist buses cost around Rs.150. There are also greenline
air-conditioned buses between Kathmandu and Sauraha at Rs.480.
Any travel agent in Kathmandu or Pokhara can make a booking.
The
other exciting way to get to Chitwan is to take a two-three day
rafting trip down the Trishuli River to Narayanghat, or directly
into the Western edge of the park.
There
are plenty of jungle lodges and hotels in and around Chitwan,
broadly classified as those in the park and those in Sauraha.
The lodges in the park are expensive and mostly cater to the package
tourist arriving from Kathmandu. For budget accomodation, look
around Sauraha and take your pick of a range of good lodges.
Bardia
To reach the Royal Bardia National Park there are daily
flights as well as public buses from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. The
park office is situated at Thakurdwara, 20 km southwest along
a dirt road from Anbassa on the Mahendra highway. The drive from
Nepalgunj takes less than 2 1/2 hours, although local buses take
much longer. For Thakurdwara, there are a couple of direct buses
from Nepalgunj at 11 am and 2.30 pm, taking three to four hours
and costing Rs.70.
Night
buses from Kathmandu to Mahendranagar can drop you at Anbassa,
although they get there in the wee hours of the morning. Buses
to Mahendranagar cost Rs.150 and to Pokhara Rs.350.
There
are a number of Chitwan style lodges and hotels that have sprung
up in the recent past, so there is no real problem for accommodation.
However, in the season, it may be advisable to make a booking
before heading out there.
Royal
Suklaphanta
The reserve is situated close to Mahendranagar on the
Indian border. The ranger’s office is 3km past the airport and
is accessible by rickshaw. The only company operating inside the
park, Silent Safari, picks up guests at the airport for $10. The
accommodation provided here is in comfortable safari tents and
the price ($150) includes meals, game drives and walks. Advance
bookings are essential (099-21230, fax 22220).
There
are regular buses and flights to Mahendranagar from Kathmandu.
Check with the local travel agents.
Parsa
The reserve headquarters for Parsa are located at Adabar
on the Hetauda-Birganj highway. Parsa is easily accessible from
Kathmandu. It is connected by daily flights to Simra and buses
that ply regularly on the national highway.
What
to bring along
Although the Terai can be cool during the winter, it
can be stiflingly hot during the summer months. If you are headed
here in winter bring a sweater or jacket along. Summer months
require cool clothes. Good walking shoes, a good shady hat and
sunscreen may be considered essential. Make sure your clothes
are in neutral colours that help you blend into the background.
Red, yellow and white are conspicuous.
Carry
along some mosquito repellant, anti-diarrhea tablets and anti-histamines.
Lastly, along with photo equipment, a pair of binoculars will
prove invaluable. If you are closer to the monsoon months carry
some waterproof jackets. Just in case.
The
Terai jungles are also famous for leeches that appear in the monsoon
and are around for a few months after. Salt or a lighted cigarette
will make them fall off, do not pull them off as the wound may
get infected. Try an insect repellant to keep them away.
