Saturday, October 18, 2008

Wildlife Safari in Nepal

National Parks located in the Southern Nepal (occupying 16% of it's total geographical area) are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna. The tropical region known as the Terai shows an incredible contrast to the towering peaks of the north. National park and wildlife reserve area is mainly covered by Sal forest with the balance a mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine forest. It is here that visitors get sight of most wildlife. A visit to these parks involves game stalking by a variety of means- elephant back safari, jeep drive, canoe ride, bird watching, nature walk etc.

Royal Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is the most popular choice of those wanting to have a good experience of the region's wildlife. The name 'Chitwan" means ' Heart of the Jungle', is a home to the endanger Royal Bengal tiger, Indian one -horn rhino, sloth bear, langur monkeys, wild boar, leopard, jungle cats, various type of deer, over 400 species of colourful birds.

Elephant back ride is a fantastic way to explore the jungle and offers the possibility of close-up sight of one- horn rhino in their natural habitats, numerous species of deer, langur monkeys, wild boar etc. With over 400 of bird species as either permanent resident of migratory visitors are viewed on foot as you walk through jungle and open grassland. Canoe rides along the Rapti River on the western bank of the park is the shelters a quarter of the world's remaining gharial population. This fish eater crocodile has long been hunted for the supposed aphrodisiac qualities of its snout.

Suggested Itinerary
02 Nights / 03 Days : with an easy extension of extra nights as needed. The plan includes: elephant safari, canoe ride, bird watching, jungle walk, cultural programs, elephant briefing, jungle drive etc. All walks and rides are accompanied by trained naturalist guides. 

Royal Bardia National Park
It lies in the western Nepal and comprises the largest and most undisturbed wilderness area of the region. Similar to Chitwan National Park, but drier and more remote Bardia National Park contains the country's second largest Royal Bengal tiger population and daytime sighting are more common here than in Chitwan. It is the only place in Nepal to see freshwater Gangetic dolphins and black buck antelopes. This park provides excellent habitat for the rhino, wild elephants, swam deer, two types of crocodile: fish eater gharial and marsh mugger. 

Suggested Itinerary
03 Nights / 04 Days : with an easy extension of extra nights as needed. The plan includes: elephant safari, bird watching, jungle walk etc. All walks and rides are accompanied by trained naturalist guides.

A jungle safari trip can be easily combined with any other adventures - trekking, rafting, cultural tour, Tibet tours or peak climbing.

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