Explore the natural wonders of Chitwan National Park Nepal, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site with diverse habitats and wildlife.

Chitwan National Park has long been one the country’ treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner TERAI and was declared UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1979. The area comprising the Tikauli forest-from Rapti River to the foothills of the Mahabharat-extending over an area of 175 sq. km. was declared Mrigakunja in 1959. Chitwan is located 166km south from the Kathmandu capital city connected with both by land and air and its altitude is 400m from the sea level.

Habitat Types

The Chitwan valley is characterized by tropical and subtropical forests. Roughly 70 percent of park vegetative cover is Sal (Shorea robusta) forest, a moist deciduous vegetation type of the terai region. The remaining vegetation types include grassland, riverine forest and Sal with Chir pine Pinus roxburghii. The later occurs at the top of the Churia range. The riverine forests consist of Khair (Acacia catechu), Sissoo (Dalbergia sisoo) and Simal (Bombax ceiba). The grasslands are mainly located in the floodplains of the rivers and form a diverse and complex community with over 50 different types of grasses including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), renowned for its immense height. It can grow up to 8 meter in height.

Species Diversity

A total of 68 species of mammals, 56 species of herpeto fauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile. The park harbors not only the world’s largest terrestrial mammal (wild elephant) but also the world’s smallest terrestrial mammal (pygmy shrew). A total of 544 species of birds has been recorded so far including 22 globally threatened species including critically endangered Bengal Florican, Slender-billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture and Red-headed Vulture.

Habitat Types

The Chitwan valley is characterized by tropical and subtropical forests. Roughly 70 percent of park vegetative cover is Sal (Shorea robusta) forest, a moist deciduous vegetation type of the terai region. The remaining vegetation types include grassland, riverine forest and Sal with Chir pine Pinus roxburghii. The later occurs at the top of the Churia range. The riverine forests consist of Khair (Acacia catechu), Sissoo (Dalbergia sisoo) and Simal (Bombax ceiba). The grasslands are mainly located in the floodplains of the rivers and form a diverse and complex community with over 50 different types of grasses including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), renowned for its immense height. It can grow up to 8 meter in height.

Species Diversity

A total of 68 species of mammals, 56 species of herpeto fauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile. The park harbors not only the world’s largest terrestrial mammal (wild elephant) but also the world’s smallest terrestrial mammal (pygmy shrew). A total of 544 species of birds has been recorded so far including 22 globally threatened species including critically endangered Bengal Florican, Slender-billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture and Red-headed Vulture.

Highlights

UNESCO World heritage site
Jeep Safari in National Park
Elephant back safari Safari
Chances to see Royal Chitwan Bengal Tiger
One horned Rhino
Enjoy Elephant Bath
Canoe ride on Rapti River
Visit to Elephant Breeding centre
Tharu Village tour with Tharu museum
Tharu Stick Dance show
Bird watching tour

Village tour to a nearby ethnic Tharu village where you will learn more about the life and lifestyle of the Tharus. Visit to the National Park Visitor’s center where you can learn more about the history of the National Park and about wildlife & Sun set view from the bank of Rapti River.

Tharu cultural dance: Melodious ethnic dance performed by men and women with rhyme or drums. The clashing of sticks represents and performance how to keep away the rhinos and other wild animals from the human habitat and their farming land.

Dugout canoe ride:

Floating down to Rapti River on a dugout canoe is the best way to discover the habitat of crocodiles in the river. It is also a relaxing and better way to watch the different kind of birds and wildlife species, while they are drinking water in the bank of river Rapti.

Elephant Breeding Centre:

Elephant Breeding Center (EBC) was established in 1985 at Chitwan National Park and is the only EBC in Nepal. A breeding center for increasing number of elephants but not having compartment for mating with wild bull it is well trained and appropriate number of staff should be provided and an Elephant Camps Service should be creator. You may not want to miss the opportunity to explore Elephant breeding center where number of elephants are kept for reproducing purpose only.

Elephant Back Safari:

One can monitor wildlife activities in the deep jungle while sitting back on a trained Elephant. The duration of the elephant back safari is about 1 & half hour .Elephant ride is the most pleasant activities in the park.

Note: Now a days Elephant back safari is not available in some of the hotel because of animal rights issue. If our booked hotel do not operate this safari, we will provide jungle safari in jeep.

Or

Jungle Safari on Jeep

For jungle safari, jeeps are easy to go deep into the jungle, viewing some of the rare species of flora and fauna. You can also go on foot in to the park escorted by experience nature guide who will interpret to you the concealed secrets of the jungle.

Bird Watching: The Chitwan National Park is the realm of more than 450 species of birds. Most people consider it as a heaven of the bird world. The best way to explore and study the different bird’s activities and behave is to walk with a guide along the riverside of Chitwan National park. A larger number of bird species (over 480) has been recorded here than in any other part of Nepal due to Chitwan diverse habitats and tropical lowland situation.