The magnificent Bardia National Park is in the heart of west Nepal’s remote but undisturbed wilderness. It covers an area of 968 sq km and is the largest and most unspoiled wilderness area in the Terai. The park, a sub-tropical jungle, is thickly forested with sal trees and carpeted with grass, savannah and riverine vegetation. The north is bordered by the Churia Hill range and the west by the Karnali River, while the Babai River cuts its course almost through the middle of the park. On the southern fringe of the park are villages of the unique and indigenous Tharu people of Western Nepal. Considered as one of the most picturesque national parks in Asia, it teems with rich and diverse flora and fauna.

Bardia is home to more than 30 different mammals, including langur and rhesus monkeys, civets, hyenas, wild dogs, sloth bears, otters, blue bulls, deer and wild boars. It is also a regenerated habitat for endangered animals, such as: tigers, rhinoceros, wild elephants (the park harbors the biggest wild tusker in Asia), black bucks, gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles; the great game fish, mahseer, and gangetic dolphins cavort in the river waters. And there are more than 350 unique bird species, including cormorants, egrets, storks, geese, jungle fowls and kingfishers, as well as endangered species such as the Bengal florican, silver-eared mesia, and the saurus crane, thus making the park a true birdwatcher’s paradise.

Within the park are several open grasslands where game viewing is excellent. Many of the forest tracks throughout the park also offer excellent game viewing and when, you can take in the sights and sounds of the wild without necessarily having to give up your creature comforts, what more could you ask for?

Rather than traveling to Bardia by bus, might we suggest a far more exciting way to go? You can raft down the Karnali River if traveling from either Kathmandu or Pokhara. The added cost would be worth its value, as you experience numerous rapids and see a variety of village life, flora and fauna along the banks. Our naturalist will meet you upon arrival and take you to the park.

Alternatively, if you are looking for the fastest way to travel you can opt for a flight, where our naturalist will meet you upon arrival and take you to the park.