The Bardiya National Park covers 968 sq. km./ 363 sq. mi. of the Terai in Nepal’s far-West, and is the largest and least-disturbed wilderness area in the Terai. It provides an excellent habitat for over 30 different mammal species, including the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, One-horned Rhinoceros, Wild Elephant, Swamp deer, and Black buck. The Great One-horned Rhinoceros was successfully reintroduced to Bardiya from Chitwan in 1986. Herds of elegant black buck in the open grassland are a stirring sight unique to Bardiya. Other common animals found in the Park include the leopard and lesser cats, the blue bull (Nilgai), several species of deer, the langur and rhesus monkeys, sloth bear, and the wild boar. The open grasslands within the Park, locally known as phantas, are ideal for game viewing.
The Karnali, one of Nepal’s largest rivers, forms the western boundary of the park. The endangered Gangetic dolphin is often seen in its waters. Other endangered riverine species include the fish-eating Gharial and Marsh mugger crocodiles. The Karnali also offers excellent fishing for masheer, a large freshwater perch. Over 250 species of birds have so far been recorded in the Park, including the endangered Bengal and Lesser Floricans, Silver-eared Mesia, and the Sarus crane.
Bardiya National Park is situated in the mid far Western Terai,east of the Karnali river.
KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (175 km2) lies on the flood plains of the Koshi River. The rectangular – shaped Reserve is contained within the east and west embankments of the Koshi Barrage. Therefore, the entire Reserve is subjected to seasonal flooding during monsoon. This Reserve was gazette in 1976, and established mainly to preserve the habitats for the last remnant population of wild water buffalo in Nepal. In addition, there are larger ungulates such as Gaur, Nnilgai, Hog deer and Wild pig, and medium sized predators such as Fishing cat, Jungle cat, and civets. The Koshi River also supports sparse populations of endangered species such as the Gangetic Dolphin and Gharial.
The Koshi Barrage at the border of the east Nepal and India, was completed by the Koshi Project, a Government of India undertaking, in 1964 to contain the monsoon floods as they had become more devastating, and to irrigate farmlands, creating abundant marsh and littoral habitat making it Nepal’s most important wetland. At 75m elevation, the Koshi Barrage is one of the lowest area in Nepal with 14 species of birds found nowhere else in Nepal have been recorded. Because of its great wetland importance, the Government of Nepal acceded to Ramsar Convention in 1987, and thus Koshi Tappu has been included in the list of Wetlands in International Importance.
Because of open access to the Koshi Barrage area from India, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is equally threatened with wildlife-related damages. Also, herders from both India and Nepal have set their bases for cross-breeding their domestic herds with the wild buffalo for vigor and for fodder. Today, feral cattle in the Reserve outnumber wild buffaloes.Both feral and wild buffaloes raid crops by wandering as far as 10 km from the reserve boundary into farmlands. The high incidence of crop raiding, and ensuring conflict, is a cumulative action of over 100 wild buffaloes, some 500 feral water buffaloes, and over 7,000 cattle.
Access:
To reach Bardia, take the daily air flight or public day or night bus from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj , from where it is five hour drive by jeep to the camp area. This nature sanctuary is best visit from October to April however it is hot during the months from April – August.
What to see ?
Vegetation: The Park contains 70% of shore Robusta and the remaining 30% is covered with the balance mixture of grasslands and reverie woods.
Animals: The wild Boar, Hog Deer, Blue Bull, Porcupine, sloth bear, wild dog, Mongoose, civets, jungle cats, Rhesus Monkey, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer Otter, Jackal, Hyena, Common Leopard. Fishing cat, Langur Monkey etc. are commonly seen.
Birds: The Woodpecker (10 species), Heron (5 species), Bulbul (5 species), Dove (5 species), Egret (4 species), Parakeets, King fisher, Bee Eater, Barbet, Pigeion, Stork, Sunbird, Babbler, Warble, flycatcher and Bar-headed Goose are seen in this park.
When to visit?
The best seasons to visit the park are fall (October – November) and spring (mid February – April).
How to travel?
There is a daily domestic flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu Airport. This national Park can be reached by surface route only. So after reaching Nepalgunj, Public bus services wait us to the far west Terai.
Duration : 2 Nights 3 Days
Safari Package Includes ?
Accommodation in lodge or tented camp, all sightseeing and outings (as per specific itinerary provided for different packages), park entrance fees and all meals for the duration of the package tour.