The vast Chitwan National Park is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and stretches from the Terai region's lowlands to the Indian border. Its vegetation and animals are especially diverse. The park is home to the endangered single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros, Asiatic elephant, and Royal Bengal Tiger populations.
Additionally, this park is regarded as Nepal's largest and longest protected region along with the nearby Parsa Wildlife Reserve. More wild ungulate biomass and species variety are supported by the tall grasslands and riverine woodland than everywhere else on the Indian subcontinent. Tiger, gharial and the second-largest population of Asian rhinoceros are examples of rare species. A breathtaking distant backdrop to the park's beauty is provided by the Himalayas to its north.
Additionally, Beeshazari Tal, a Ramsar Site, is located in the buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park (CNP), which is also considered a part of the global heritage. According to records, the park is home to 126 species of fish, 68 species of animals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna, and 544 species of birds. The One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, and Gharial Crocodile are among the animals that the park is most well known for protecting.
Since 1975, the Nepalese Army has been guarding park security checkpoints. Additionally, the 1974 Chitwan National Park Regulation and the 1996 Buffer Zone Management Regulation sufficiently guarantee the preservation of natural resources, public involvement in conservation efforts, and socioeconomic advantages for those residing in the buffer zone. Because of this, Chitwan National Park stands out as a prime example of a successful government-community partnership for the preservation of biodiversity.
There are various climate seasons in the park, each of which offers a unique experience. A favourable climate could be found from October through February when mercury is typically 25 °C. High temperatures of 43 °C are possible from March through June. With the onset of the monsoon season, which normally lasts from late June to September, the hot, humid days give way to difficult roads and flooded rivers. Visitors will have a better opportunity to see wildlife because local villagers are permitted to trim thatch grasses to suit their requirements in late January. During the months of September, November, February, and April, migrating birds join the local birds, creating amazing chances for bird watching. Most trees bloom in late winter, while the monsoon rains produce abundant flora.
The summer monsoon, occurs from mid-May to late September, with an annual rainfall of 2,400 mm. The monsoon changes the rivers' characteristics and routes by causing severe floods. After the monsoon, when dry northerly winds from the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau prevail, temperatures drop to a minimum of 6°C and remain reasonably dry as the winter arrives. Temperatures are highest during summer and reach 40°C.
With most animals visible, Chitwan National Park is open all year long. There is a higher chance of spotting tigers and other wildlife when they emerge from the waterholes from October to December. To avoid the monsoon rains, most journeys to Chitwan National Park take place between late September and May. The best time to visit Chitwan is from late October to early March, but if you can handle the heat, summer is also the best time. The coldest month is January, with nighttime lows below freezing. Sometimes visibility is good during monsoon as the Himalayas are clearly seen. From June to early September people find trekking uncomfortable in Chitwan National Park because of heavy rainfall and muddy soil.
Tropical and subtropical forests can be found all across the Chitwan valley. Approximately 70% of the park is covered in sal woods. Local celebrations and religious offerings often use plates made of sal leaves. Twenty percent of the park is made up of grasslands. In addition, elephant grass is noted for its enormous height and there are more than 50 distinct kinds of grasses. It has a maximum height of 8 meters. 55 amphibian and reptile species, over 525 bird species, and over 50 different types of mammals can all be found in the park. One-horned rhinoceros and gaur are among the park's threatened species. Other endangered species are the Royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic Wild elephants, Four-horned antelopes, Pangolin, Golden monitor lizards, Python, giant hornbill, black stork, white stork, and others.
The best and least expensive method of transportation from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park is via tourist bus. The tourist bus departs from Kathmandu at an early hour and during mid-day, you can reach Chitwan National Park. It is a 5-6 hours drive from Kathmandu. Another possible way to reach CNP is, you can hire a jeep, taxi or bus yourself. It can be a little bit expensive but it will be comfortable for you. The quickest and most convenient mode of transportation from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park is via air. The flight to the closest Bharatpur airport is within the reach of 20-25 minutes on a domestic plane. Further from the airport, you should rent a taxi or jeep for the national park. Chitwan National Park is accessible from other corners of the country as well.
Both inside and outside the park, there are numerous hotels and resorts including all types of facilities. Staying with good facilities is quite expensive. You can choose either basic or luxurious lodges or hotels as per your necessity. The majority consist of cultural excursions, boat outings, jungle walks, and elephant safaris. Airport/bus pickups, jungle tours, and wifi are services that almost all hotels and resorts provide. The standard of lodging makes the most impact.
Fascinating details on wildlife and the conservation effort are presented in the exhibition at the Sauraha tourist centre. An opportunity to view the threatened Bengal tiger and one-horned rhinoceros up close is provided by an elephant safari. Sauraha Elephant Breeding Center provides information on captive elephants and the calves that are born there. You can reach the Gharial Breeding Center, which is also home to the Marsh mugger and a variety of turtles, after a quick 1-kilometer walk from the park's administrative headquarters. Seven resorts that are operated by park contractors are located inside the park and can offer lodging and access to wildlife activities.
In Chitwan, the tharu are the largest ethnic group and they have a unique culture. They have an incredibly diverse culture. Despite having a significantly different culture than other Hindus, they practice the Hindu religion. In Chitwan, there are also followers of other religions, thus every individual observes every event. They were once believed to be Indian Rajasthani aristocracy. There are numerous subgroups (linguistically and culturally), but they have been successful in maintaining a large portion of their customs and ways of life.
More local experiences and an opportunity to mix in with local families are available at the Tharu Community Homestay. Traditional huts made of mud, clay, and grass are used as guest accommodations, and local art is used to embellish the spaces. Visitors can go net fishing in the national park in addition to observing animals with local families. Villagers also perform tharu traditional dances to entertain the guests at night.
Chitwan Jungle safari cost for Chitwan jungle safari tours vary depending on a number of things. This is due to the fact that the Chitwan jungle safari trip operators must take a number of factors into account. It is preferable to reserve one's jungle safari through a tour company that is registered with the tourism board. This is due to the fact that they must uphold ethical standards and leave no client with a bad impression. Every package, tour, excursion, and activity in Chitwan National Park is priced according to where you stay. Food, breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, and transportation costs per person to and from the Chitwan National Park are additional costs.
With several alternatives for travellers, Chitwan is a well-liked tourism destination in Nepal. The national park is appropriate for visitors of all age groups. It is also a good location for a family outing, for lovers, for scholars, and people who just want to take in nature. It is our collective property and a World Heritage Site. It is necessary to abide by the national park's rules. The Chitwan National Park is home to several endangered species, such as the larger one-horned rhinoceros, majestic Bengal tigers, gharial crocodiles, freshwater Gangetic dolphins, deer, wild boars, sloth bears, elephants, and leopards. Traveling/safari is enjoyable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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