Tourism  April 4, 2023      By Himalayan Hero

Do you love wildlife? Well, if your answer is “Yes”, then pack up your bags and get ready because Chitwan is just your kind of destination to experience your dream in reality. You might be wondering why Chitwan? Then let us shed an information notice that Chitwan is the home of One Horn Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Leopard, and different reptiles and different species of birds.
 
The most giant playground of Wild animals, Chitwan National park, is located in south-central Nepal. The park covers 952.63 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprises the Tikauli forest-from Rapti River to the foothills of the Mahabharat-extending over an area of 175 sq. km.


 
Through nine entrance gates, you will enter the wealthy home of endangered animals, including one-horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile, freshwater dolphin and others. Apart from that the
the park also offers Elephant Safari, Jeep Safari, tropical and subtropical forests, a diversity of ecosystems- including the Churia hills, Ox-bow lakes, etc.
 

Things to do Chitwan National Park

A trip to Chitwan is incomplete if you have not been on a jungle safari. Jungle safari is one of the most popular tourism activities of the park. At the same time, the Narayani-Rapti River on the northern and eastern part forms a natural boundary to human settlements. Like other National parks, in Chitwan national park, you can experience the most exciting activities like elephant back safari, 4 WD vehicle safari, jungle walk, bird watching, elephant bathing, and visiting the elephant breeding centre.
 

a. Elephant Back Safari

Typically, Elephant Safari is done two times in Chitwan National Park: in the Morning or Evening. To get those rides inside the park, you need to purchase National Park Permit before that. When you meet an elephant for the first time, touch the elephant or hug with the trunk of an elephant. The most important thing is that you have to kindly ask permission or follow the instruction of Mahout before doing that. After that, you will climb the short tower and sit in the square box, easily accommodating four people in four corners. After the ride, you can see different species of wild animals during your elephant back safari in Chitwan National Park. You might also see animals like One Horn Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger (If lucky), Sloth Bear, Forest Deer, Sambar Deer, Indian Porcupines, Red Muntjac, Leopard, and many more.
 

b. 4 WD vehicle safari

 
Another best option to see the wildlife in Chitwan national park is to go on a jeep safari. As you know, during the trip you have to sit on the back of an open jeep to see the animals. Your guide will help you learn more about the places and wildlife names during your journey.

For a jeep safari, you will have an option first one is a short safari while another one is a long full day. To do the short safari, 4 hours and you have to travel with a maximum of 7 people. Meanwhile, one full day jeep safari will be more comfortable as you have better seats and a private car. Deeper into the jungle, you have more chances to see tigers. During this trip, the lunch will be eaten in the jungle itself.

So, don’t be afraid that you don’t have to catch your food.


 

c. Jungle walk

Walking is considered one of the best exciting and thrilling activities that you can do in Chitwan National park. You will experience the natural habitat of the wild animals during the jungle walk. Your encounter with endangered animals like wild elephants and rhinos can make your journey more thrilling. During the Jungle safari, you make sure to choose an experienced guide. This guide will take the tourist for a 5 to 10 km walk at one time, offering a chance to observe the wild animals and birds.
 

d. Bird watching

During the Chitwan trip, you can also observe birds by using their naked eye or visual enhancement device like binoculars or a telescope. Thousand of tourist visits the park to listen to bird sounds and watch birds. During the morning, you can view many of the exotic birds, including the Giant Hornbill, Lesser Florican and Paradise Flycatcher near Rapti River.
 

e. Elephant bathing

Elephant Bathing is another most exciting and famous popular activity that you can do in Chitwan National park. It is done by sitting on the top of the elephant where the elephant splashes water by its trunk towards you. At the same time, you can also participate in washing the elephant where the elephant mahout will assist you. To wash elephants, you need tickets that cost between 200 to 500 rupees. Similarly, you can watch the appealing elephant taking a bath or if it’s too tempting.


 
In Chitwan National Park Chitwan and safari costs are famous for jungle excursions in Nepal. One can enjoy different types of safari activities in Chitwan as per interest. There are separate fees for Nepali, SAARC and foreigners from the Government centre.
 
For entry, foreigners have to pay NRs 2000 per person that is valid for one day. Meanwhile,, if you are Nepali,, you have to pay NRs 150, which is also useful for one day. Similarly, if you belong to SAARC National, you have to pay NRs 1000 per day. Children below 10 years can enter free without any cost.
 
Similarly, if you want to do an elephant safari, you must have a National park permit, and $35 is needed. A government elephant tour is also available in the park that costs around 2500 rupees, but it is tough to get now. This is for foreigners, while Nepali pays NRS 1850 per person.
 
On the other hand, the jeep safari is quite expensive compared to the elephant. For a foreigner, it costs around $ 240, including a Private Jeep and a guide for the the whole day.


 

Things not to do in Chitwan Jungle Safari

Exploring the jungle always brings numerous surprises for both nature lovers and explorers. But sometimes we forget our duty to follow to keep the environment clean. While visiting the park, you should remember that they are protected areas under the Chitwan National park, so do not indulge in
Such activities can go against the nature conservation programme of the park. And while taking photographs, you need to be careful not to disturb the animals; remember you are in their territory.
 

Best time to visit Chitwan National Park

The best time to do a jungle safari is from October to early March for pleasant 25°C temperatures.
 
Meanwhile, March, April, and June can be extremely hot, but the end of the dry season will be best if you can stand the heat.

For the most adventureous Chitwan exposure connect with us at info@himalayanhero.com ! 

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