Chitwan National Park Jungle Safari

Overview

Chitwan is Nepal's first national park and one of the best places in Asia to see the one-horned rhino. It covers 952 km² of jungle, tall grass and rivers in the warm lowlands south of Kathmandu, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

In 3 days you go into the park on a jeep safari, canoe down the Rapti River past crocodiles, walk in the jungle with a local guide, visit a Tharu village and watch the Tharu dance show in the evening. All meals in Chitwan are included.

Choose from three packages, from a good-value hotel with a tourist coach to Meghauli Serai with a private car. Our team at Himalayan Social Journey (HSJ) plans the whole trip, from Kathmandu or Pokhara.

What will you see in the park?

Rhinos are the reason most people come, and they are seen on most jeep safaris, often in the tall grass or standing in a river. Along with them you have a good chance of spotted deer, monkeys and wild boar, and of crocodiles and kingfishers from the canoe. Tigers live here but are shy and rarely seen, so treat one as a bonus rather than a plan. The park has more than 500 kinds of birds, which is why the early bird walk on the last morning is worth getting up for. You also visit the elephant breeding centre. We do not offer elephant rides: jeep safaris, canoes and walks are kinder to the animals and give you a better look at the park.

How do you get to Chitwan?

Most guests drive. It is 5–6 hours south from Kathmandu by tourist coach, along the river and through green hills, and the Comfort and Premium packages use a private car instead. If you would rather not spend the day on the road, Kathmandu to Bharatpur is a 25-minute flight and we can book it for an extra cost. Pokhara is about 5–6 hours away too, so you can start there, and we can send you on to Pokhara at the end rather than back to Kathmandu. If you want all three, the Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara tour puts them in one trip.

Is Chitwan right for children and older travellers?

Yes. The tour is graded easy, and there is no trekking and no altitude: Chitwan is flat lowland jungle. Children usually like the canoe ride and the jeep safari most, and we plan the rooms around their ages if you tell us. The jungle walk is on level ground with trained local guides who know the park and keep you a safe distance from the animals. Bring light clothes in green or brown, a hat, sunscreen and insect spray, and a warm layer if you are coming in winter.

When is the best time to go?

October to March is cool and dry, and the most comfortable time to be in the lowlands. February to May is the best window for wildlife, because the tall grass is cut and the animals are much easier to see. June to September is the monsoon: hot and wet, and some activities may stop. The tour runs on any date you choose. If you have more time, you can add rafting on the Trishuli on the way down with our Trishuli rafting and Chitwan tour, or go further west to Bardiya National Park.