Wildlife Safaris

Chitwan and Bardia compared

Chitwan National Park in the central Terai covers 952 square kilometres and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It holds Nepal's largest population of one-horned rhinos, now numbering over 700, and a recovering population of Bengal tigers. Most of our Chitwan programmes are two to three nights and include jeep safari, dugout canoe ride on the Rapti River, and a Tharu cultural programme in a village adjoining the park.

Bardia National Park in the far western Terai is more remote than Chitwan, requiring a domestic flight to Nepalgunj or a long road journey from Pokhara. Tiger density is higher relative to visitor numbers. Sighting probability over a three-night stay is meaningfully better than at Chitwan, though nothing is guaranteed. Bardia suits travellers who have already done Chitwan and want a more immersive, less visited experience.

What to expect on a jeep safari

A standard morning jeep safari departs at first light, when most large mammals are active before the heat builds. Guides drive designated tracks inside the park and stop at water holes, oxbow lakes, and grassland edges where rhino and deer concentrate. A three-hour morning drive typically covers fifteen to twenty kilometres of park track.

Bird species in Chitwan number over 540. Even guests with no particular interest in birding notice the size and variety: Bengal floricans, giant hornbills, and painted storks are regulars. Our naturalist guides carry binoculars and explain species as they appear. Evening drives catch the hour before dark when the grassland edges become active again.

Ethical viewing standards

We do not sell elephant-back riding or unlicensed bush walks. Jeep and canoe outings follow park regulations; guides explain species behaviour and conservation context on every drive. The minimum vehicle distance from a rhino is set by park rules at ten metres on foot and twenty metres from a vehicle; we enforce these without exception.

Lodge selection at Chitwan and Bardia follows the same criteria: guide certification, proximity to the park boundary, waste management practices, and evidence of community benefit through staff hiring. We do not choose lodges on commission rates or brochure photography alone.

Last updated April 2026.