About Chitwan Jungle Safari
Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park is a complete nature tour. This tour lasts for two-three days in the Chitwan National Park Premises and the neighboring villages with beautifully serviced homestays. Chitwan Jungle Safari takes you to the heart of vast Jungles in the Chitwan National Park and the Community Forest. The major attractions of the tour are flora and fauna. You will be able to see animals like One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Wild Elephants, Wooden Bear, and more. Chitwan National Park is also home to 584 species of birds, out of which some are only found seasonally.
Brief History of Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 A.D as the first National Park in Nepal. Before that, it was just a hunting reserve for Ranas and the Royal Family of Nepal. In 1984 A.D, it was listed under the World Heritage Site. After the enlistment, it started drawing the attention of tourists all around the world.
Flora and fauna in Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park covers an area of 932 km2 (360 sq. mi) in the subtropical inner Terai of south-central Nepal. It is home to 68 different species of mammals including sloth bear, wild boar, hyenas, deer, monkeys, and tigers. 584 species of birds include rare and endangered species like Bengal florican, swamp francolin, Grey-crowned Prinia, and more. The Narayani-Rapti river system is a habitat for 113 species of fishes and endangered reptiles like Gharials and crocodiles.
To-Do-Activities in Chitwan National Park
Chitwan Jungle Safari introduces you to various natural aspects of south-central Terai. It also presents the unique and beautiful social and cultural aspects of the region, especially the Tharu Community. Jungle Safari in Chitwan can be accomplished in flexible ways, as you can stay at grand resorts with quality services or experience the taste of the local Tharu Community in the local Homestays. Barauli is a small Tharu Community in the West of the National Park where you can find interesting socio-cultural aspects of the lives in Tharu Community. Some of the activities that you can enjoy in the Chitwan Jungle Safari are listed below:
Elephant Safari in Chitwan National Park
Elephant Safari in Chitwan National Park is an amazing experience inside the park. You get to sit atop an elephant back and visit the corners of the jungle. This is an opportunity to witness the rare wildlife between the tall trees and lush green vegetation. The safari guarantees the sights of one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild Elephants and many rare species of birds and animals. Elephants should be booked in advance for this tour. The company you are traveling with will manage everything for you. A surface detail:
Duration: 1.5 hr.
Head-count: Max 4 people in an elephant
Cost: US$ 35/person + National Park Permit
Elephant Safari in Community Forest
Community Forest is a forest outside the bounds of Chitwan National Park but the flora and fauna are the same. Private Elephants aren’t allowed inside the National Park so the alternative to Elephant safari in Chitwan National Park is the Elephant Safari in Community Forest. A surface detail:
Duration: 1.5 hr.
Head-count: Max 4 people in an elephant
Cost: US$ 30/person + National Park Permit
Reserved [solo]: US$ 100
Jeep Safari in Chitwan National Park
Jeep Safari in Chitwan National Park is another alternative to Elephant Safari in Chitwan National Park. Jeep Safari is faster and easier. Jeep Safari covers more spaces inside the jungle which means more chances of spotting the greater number of birds and animals. Jeep Safaris can be customized as per the needs of the customers. Generally, Jeep Safari lasts for four (4) hours but can be customized for the whole day too. A surface detail:
Duration: 4 hrs.
Head-count: Max 10 people in a jeep
Cost: US$ 25/person + National Park Permit
Reserved [full day]: US$ 210 + National Park Permit
Reserved [half day]: US$ 180 + National Park Permit
Visit Elephant Breeding Center
Elephant Breeding Center was established in 1987 A.D. to increase the number of Elephants in Nepal. As history suggests elephants were brought here as an exchange with rhinoceros from foreign countries like Burma. This places homes a large number of Elephants where they are protected and looked after to be released into the jungle when the time comes. You can enjoy the baby elephants on a hand-distance here. You can enjoy this either in the morning or in the evening after the Jungle Safari.
Canoeing in the river Rapti.
Canoeing in the Rapti River is one of the famous activities among the tourists in Chitwan National Park. Canoeing on the river grants you an opportunity to witness the ecosystem from a different perspective. While flowing with the river current you get the see the fish-eating gharials and crocodiles basking in the sun on the river-banks. The River Rapti and Narayani have played a great role in sustaining the ecosystem in the Chitwan National Park.
Bird Watching in Chitwan National Park
As mentioned earlier Chitwan National Park and the buffer zone boasts more than 600 species of birds. Most of them stay here throughout the year whilst some fly here seasonally. Hence, the best time for Bird Watching in Chitwan National Park in March, April, September, October, November, and December. We manage you a professional naturalist to accompany you during the trip so you don’t miss a bit of detail about the birds you come across. Places like twenty thousand Lake and Janakauli Community Forest are the bird watching hubs. A surface detail:
Duration: whole day
Head-count: Min 2 people in a group
Cost: US$ 40/person + National Park Permit
Night Stay at the Tower inside the Forest
This is the least known activity among the Tourists as it is new and slowly growing in popularity. This is an adventurous task as you are meant to spend your night inside the jungle in the tree houses. These Treehouses were built for patrol units to look after the wild animals in the jungle. There used to be lots of poachers and illegal hunting in the past. These problems have been minimized in the present as 900 active Nepal Army personal roam around the National Park to ensure the protection of wild and endangered animals. Spending your night in the jungle can be managed by the company you are traveling with. Nightlife in the jungle can be a fun thing to do if you are adventurous enough.
