Jungle Safari in
Nepal
Contrary
to popular belief Nepal is not just the snow clad mountains
but much more. With 16 national parks covering almost
16% of the kingdom coupled with the astonishing difference
in topography, vegetation and climate Nepal has a lot
to offer a wildlife fanatic.
No trip to Nepal is complete without visiting one of
the various wildlife sanctuaries. These wildlife reserves
located in the flood plains of the country attract visitors
from all over the world. It is quite amazing to see
that the country holds such diversity in a small area.
The magnificence of the towering mountains is matched
by the abundance of wildlife in the tiny kingdom.
One moment you are in a French Alps
type of environment and within minutes you can are amidst
tropical forests teeming with wildlife. A foray into
the deep jungles of the terai is stepping into the domain
of the Royal Bengal tiger, or Sher Khan made famous
by Rudyard Kipling in his ever popular 'Jungle Book".
So you can step into the shoes of Mowgli to match his
escapades and relive the adventure.
The various parks scattered around the country offer
a unique opportunity to view a variety of animals from
close quarters. Several resort that boast comfortable
accommodation and delectable cuisine dot the parks.
Manned by trained personnel they provide various wildlife
activities like safaris on elephant backs, walks thorough
the jungle, canoe trips that take you deep into the
jungle, beyond the beaten tracks. The anticipation of
encountering a rhino or a tiger face to face or listening
to the sights and sounds of the jungle gives you a high
beyond comprehension. Apart from animals the culture
and lifestyle of the tharus, the local indigenous people
of the terai, offer a unique cultural experience.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Located on the flood plains of the
Sapta-Koshi River in eastern Nepal the preserve was
established in 1976 mainly to protect the habitat for
the remaining population of wild buffalo in Nepal. The
rectangular shaped reserve covering an area approximately
175sq. km., offers refuge to a variety of wildlife.
The last surviving population of wild buffalo is found
here.
The sanctuary is also home to about 280 species of birds
making it a bird watcher's paradise. It is an extremely
important as a resting-place for migratory birds and
many species recorded here are not seen elsewhere in
Nepal. Sightings of endangered animal like the gharial
crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been recorded.
Biratnagar is the nearest city to Koshi Tappu reserve.
It is connected to KTM by road and by air. All major
domestic airlines operate daily flights to the airhead.
Royal Bardia National Park
First declared a protected area in
1976, the park was further extended in 1984 to accommodate
the growing population of wildlife. The parks situated
on the fringes of Indo – Nepalese border in west Nepal
formally achieved National Park status in 1988.
Today the park spreads over an area of 968 sq. km. Interestingly
it is the largest and most undisturbed wilderness area
in the Terai. Covered with tropical and riverine forests
the parks provides refuge to a host of endangered species
like the rhinoceros, wild elephant, tiger, swamp deer,
black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile
and Gangetic dolphin. Many rare migratory and resident
birds can be found in the park.
The closest town to the park is Nepalgunj, the business
hub on the Indo Nepalese border. Regular bus and air
services are available between.
The park headquarters at Thakurduar is 2 ½ hours
drive from Nepalgunj. All the major resorts in the parks
offer transportation to and from the pick up point.
Parsa Wildlife Reserve
Situated in central Nepal Parsa Wildlife
Reserve enjoys a sub tropical climate.
The Churiya Hills, which form the dominant landscape
of the reserve, runs from east to west through the reserve.
The reserve supports a good population of resident wild
elephant, tiger, leopard, sloth bear, gaur, blue bull,
wild dog nad other common animals. Apart from amphibious
creatures and reptiles it is also home to nearly 300
species of birds.
The reserve headquarters is located at Adabar on the
Hetauda – Birganj highway and hence it is easily accessible
by road from KTM. Several buses ply on this route. It
is connected to KTM by air. Most of the airlines operate
flights to Simra, the nearest airport.
Chitwan National Park
Designated as a world heritage site
in 1984 by UNESCO, the park is one of the most frequented
areas in the whole of the country. What served as a
hunting reserve for the erstwhile rulers of Nepal is
today is a success story in terms of conservation making
it one of the finest wildlife experiences in the world.
The park today covers an area of 932 sq. kms and is
covered by tall grasslands, interspersed with oxbow
lakes, flood plains and tropical forests making it s
prime hunting ground for the Royal Bengal tiger and
a host of other animals prominently the one horned rhino.
During the winters it is a joy to watch a host of migratory
who find a temporary home in the park.
Two airport at Meghauli and Bharatpur connect the park
to the capital. Several tourist and local buses transfer
passengers from KTM to the park and adjoining areas.
