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 sprinkled with tall grasslands.
It is bound on the north by the Chure hills and is skirted
on the West by the Geruwa river.
It is here that your chances of spotting a tiger in Nepal
are the highest. Other animals include the rhino-ceros,
swamp deer, leopards, jungle cats, blue bulls(nilgai)sloth
bears, barking deer and langurs. There are a few wild elephants,
and one of the males is considered the largest in Asia!
The Geruwa river that rushes in through a break in the
hill range, is home to the famous mahseer game fish, gharial,
mugger crocodile and the freshwater Gangeric 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 include jungle safari on elephant back ,
walks, boat rides and jeep drives. The best time to visit
is from October- March.
968 sq. Km ( 600 sq. mi.) of undisturbed lowlands and
wilderness in the Terai ( close to India)
View rhinoceros, tigers, fresh water Genetic Dolphins
Jungle lodges available
Best time: October-February for pleasant
weather, March-June for hot weather, and July-September
expect rain.
Access & Accommodation
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 Ambasa on the Mahendra Highway.
There are a number of tourist lodges and resorts for
accommodation. In the season, it may be advisable to make
a booking before heading out.
What other else? Check out:
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 there in winter, bring along a sweater of jacket.
Summer months require cool clothes , good walking shoes,
shady hat and sunscreen . make sure your clothes are in
colors like brown and green that help you blend into the
background .
Carry along some mosquito repellant, anti- diarrhea tablets
and anti-histamines. Meanwhile, along with photo equipment,
a pair of binoculars will prove invaluable. If you are
closer to the mon –soon months, carry some waterproof
jackets and an extra pair of shoes. Just in Case.
The Terai jungle are also famous for leeches that appear
in the monsoon and around for a few months after. Salt
of 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.
