Chitwan National Park
Chitwan Jungle Safari (Chitwan National Park)
Nepal's first and most
famous national park is situated in the Chitwan Doon or the lowlands of the
Inner Terai. Covering an area of 932 sq km. the park includes hilly areas of the
Siwalik Range covered by deciduous sal forest. One fifth of the park is made up
of the floodplains of the Narayani, Rapti, and the Reu Rivers and is covered by
dense tall elephant grass interspersed with riverine forests of silk cotton
(kapok), acacia and sisam trees. This ecologically diverse area is the last
remaining home in Nepal for more than 300 of the endangered Asian one-horned
rhinoceros and harbours one of the largest populations of the elusive and rare
Bengal tiger. Besides rhino and tiger, Chitwan also supports a great variety of
flora and fauna. There are four species of deer, including the spotted chittal,
leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, grey langur monkey, wild dog,
small wild cats, the white stockinged gaur (the world's largest wild cattle) and
many other smaller animals. The swampy areas and numerous oxbow lakes of Chitwan
provide a home for marsh crocodiles. In a stretch of the Narayani river is found
one of the few remaining populations of the rare and endangered fish-only eating
gharial, or Gangetic crocodile. Here also is found one of the world's four
species of freshwater dolphins. For the ornithologist and the amateur
bird-watcher the park offers excellent possibilities with more than 450 species
recorded. Some of the resident specialities are several species of woodpeckers,
hornbills, Bengal florican, and red-headed trogons. Winter birds such as
waterfowl, Brahminy duck, pintails and bareheaded geese, amongst many other cold
weather visitors are drawn by the sanctuary of the park's rivers. In the summer
the forest is alive with nesting migrants such as the fabulous paradise
flycatcher, the Indian pitta and parakeets.
Access:
Chitwan is easily accessible from
Kathmandu, being well connected by a national highway to Bharatpur and to
Sauraha. There are daily fights from October through May to Meghauli airstrip
just outside the park boundary. Another exciting alternative is a two to three
day raft trip down the Trishuli river to Narayanghat or directly into the
western edge of the park.
Visitors can stay in one of the several lodges and camps inside or outside the park. Visitors can actively participate in exciting stalks through the forest looking for animals signs. One unique Chitwan experience is elephant back safaris in search of the one-horned rhinoceros, leopard, deer, bear, monkey and crocodile. Few visitors can ever forget the excitement of crashing through 20 feet high elephant grass and sightseeing wildlife. Apart from elephant safaris, the traveller will be happily occupied for several days with nature walks, canoe rides down the park rivers, and land-over drives through the forest.
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