Wildlife Tours in Nepal

Wildlife Tours in Nepal

Nepal's wildlife is extraordinary and widely underestimated. While the country is famous for its Himalayan trekking, the subtropical forests of the southern Terai plains protect some of the most significant wildlife concentrations in South Asia. Chitwan National Park – Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is one of the best places in Asia to see Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinoceroses in genuinely wild habitat. Bardia National Park in the far west is larger, wilder and has the highest density of Bengal tigers in Nepal. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in the east protects the last surviving population of wild Asian water buffalo and is one of the subcontinent's finest birdwatching destinations.

We organise wildlife tours across all of Nepal's major protected areas. Whether you want a 3-day Chitwan safari as part of a broader Nepal tour, a dedicated Bardia expedition for serious wildlife enthusiasts, or a complete Nepal birdwatching holiday covering multiple habitats, we design each programme around what you most want to see and how much time you have. All our wildlife guides are experienced naturalists licensed by Nepal's national park authorities.

Nepal's Wildlife Destinations

Chitwan National Park (952km²): Nepal's flagship wildlife destination. Over 700 one-horned rhinos, 200+ Bengal tigers, wild elephants, sloth bears, gharial crocodiles and more than 600 bird species. Best accessed from Kathmandu (6 hours by road or 25-minute domestic flight to Bharatpur). Best season: October-April.

Bardia National Park (968km²): Nepal's largest national park and finest tiger habitat. Lower visitor numbers than Chitwan mean genuinely wild encounters. Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, swamp deer, Gangetic dolphins in the Karnali River and 250+ bird species. Best accessed by domestic flight to Nepalgunj. Best season: November-April.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: Eastern Nepal's premier birdwatching destination on the Koshi River flood plains. Over 500 bird species recorded including rare passage migrants, the last wild Asian water buffalo population and significant waterbird concentrations. Best season: October-March.