|
Though still a far cry from the big game safaris of Africa, but equally important in terms of conservation through promotion, the jungle safari in the various National Parks in the South of the country are renown for rhino and tiger viewing. Though a view of a tiger can be quite rare, and you have to be extremely lucky, the endangered one horned rhinos are quite easily viewed on the Elephant Safari's in Chitwan. Most of these parks are equally important for bird watching.
|
|
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. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
The 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! |
|
Read more...
|
|
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. |
|
Read more...
|
|
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. |
|
Read more...
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
