Chitwan National Park
चितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज
Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where jeep safaris take you deep into the jungle in search of one-horned rhinos, tigers and wild elephants.
Chitwan National Park covers about 950 square kilometres of sal forest, elephant grass meadows and river wetlands. It is one of South Asia's great conservation success stories for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, and recent surveys have counted the population back up to several hundred. The Bengal tiger population has also recovered noticeably. The most common way to explore is the jeep safari. A half-day safari lasts about 4 hours, while a full-day safari goes deeper into the park, with stops at the Kasara headquarters, the gharial crocodile breeding centre and an observation tower. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times, when the animals are most active. For a more thrilling experience, try a jungle walk led by two guides. You can get close to rhino tracks, deer herds and birdlife, but you must follow your guides' instructions strictly. Park entry tickets are sold by the day. Foreign visitors pay more than Nepali and South Asian visitors, and there are additional fees for the vehicle and guide. You can arrange all of these through your hotel or a travel agency in Sauraha. Spotting a tiger takes good luck, but rhinos, spotted deer, peacocks and rhesus macaques are almost always seen.
Opening hours
Sunrise to sunset (entry only with a licensed guide)
Nearby sights
- Kasara Gharial Breeding Center
- Meghauli
- Elephant Breeding Center
- Bishazari Tal
- Baghmara & Kumroj Community Forests
- Sauraha
- Rapti River (East Rapti)
- Tharu Cultural Museum & Villages