Pokhara Palace Hotel

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site (since 1984) and is best known for its Royal National Chitwan Park that is the base for Jungle Safari holidays.

In the three decades since it was established in 1973 Chitwan has been a success story of South Asian conservation. It covers an expanse of 932 sq. km and is located the Terai lowlands (a unique subtropical inner part of Nepal’s southern central region). Having previously been a big game reserve in the late 1950’s to early 60’s, it gave way to a well-demarcated rhinoceros sanctuary under the patronage of late Majesty King Mahendra (who approved the creation of the Royal Chitwan National Park, in principle, in 1970).

Chitwan’s National Park comprises ox-bow lakes, the churia hills and also the rich alluvial flood plains of rivers Reu, Rapti and Narayani with the hills rising from 150 m in a gradual incline from their eastward side to over 800 m. On the western part of the park lie the rugged Someshwor hills; the Parsa Wildlife Reserve flanks the park on its eastern border.

Flora And Fauna in Chitwan: as mentioned earlier, the valley of Chitwan is best known for its subtropical forest cover with nearly 70 percent of the vegetation found here comprising Sal forests; this is a moist deciduous type of vegetation type common to the Terai region. The remaining vegetation here is made up of 20 percent grasslands, 7 percent of riverine forest and 3 percent of Chirpine, a local Pine variety growing at the top of the Churia range.

A unique aspect of the grasslands found at Chitwan valley is that there are more than 50 species found here; the Sacchrum species, in particular, referred to as ‘elephant-grass’ attains a height of 8 m while the Imperata, the shorter variety is used for making thatched roofs for commonly followed rustic dwellings.

There are over 43 mammal species in the park, which is best known for its protection program for endangered species like the One Horned Rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, the Gharial or native crocodile species as well as others like the Wild Elephant, the Gaur, the Four Horned Antelope, Pangolin, Monitor Lizard, Striped Hyena and the Gangetic Dolphin.

There are 45 species of reptiles and amphibians at the park, including Pythons, Cobras, Green Pit Vipers, frogs and tortoises in addition to Marsh Mugger Crocodiles.

Among the common animal varieties at the park are the Chital, Sambar, Hog and Barking Deer; Sloth Bear, Palm Civet, Rhesus Monkey, Common Leopard, Ratel and the Wild Dog.

Chitwan Park boasts over 450 bird species with an enviable list of endangered birds like the Bengal florican, Giant Hornbill, White and Black Storks besides the Lesser Florican. The months of March and December are considered the best time for bird watching.

Best Time To Visit Chitwan

The months of March to June are best avoided for a trip to Chitwan as the temperatures are highest during this time with the muggy weather making it uncomfortable, also with the grass so high due to the monsoons game viewing is poor. Thus February and March are ideal for game viewing due to the short grass, and the autumn is also a good time to capture the beauty of the Terai and glimpse the park’s permanent residents up close and personal.

Chitwan Park Facilities

The Park facilities include a visitor center, a library, a display area as well as game-viewing towers known as “Machaans” in local parlance. One can go for elephant or jeep rides besides jungle walks in the company of trained guides in addition to attending lectures about Terai culture and the various Wildlife breeding projects conducted at Chitwan.

A visit to Chitwan also allows tourists the opportunity to catch an interesting glimpse of tribal community living locally, observing their local crafts and savoring local hospitality courtesy of a visit to the surrounding Tharu villages.