There are a wide variety of ways to explore the park, allowing you to target different animals and birds in different areas. Our guide will discuss recent sightings with you and your own personal interests, and tailor your visits into the park around these. Some of the more popular activities on offer include:
- Jungle walks (half or full day walks from the lodge into the park. You'll do a lot of walking and hopefully some tiger tracking, but have regular breaks at watch towers and areas the guides know are good for spotting larger animals)
- Rafting through the park (one of the best ways to travel through the park, this easy rafting trip starts at the spectacular Karnali bridge and finishes by the Elephant stables. There are swimming opportunities, and you should see a wide variety of the parks wildlife, hopefully including Gangetic dolphins. The tour also includes some short jungle walks and breaks at good wildlife viewing spots. The tour finishes with a fun local ox-cart ride back to the lodge)
- Jungle Drives (explore the park by jeep, allowing you to cover a lot more ground and enjoy some short jungle walks and breaks at well known spotting sites)
- Bird Watching walks (morning and afternoon walking tours from the lodge, in surrounding areas and into the park)
- Cycling (a variety of short or full-day cycling tours to visit black buck habitats, and tiny local villages where you can see and learn about the life of the local Tharu community)
- Gharial crocodiles trip (drive from the lodge to see native Gharial crocodiles basking on the river bank. There's also a great spot under a large bridge en-route to the camp from Nepalgunj where we normally see both Gharial and Mugger crocodiles).
- Tharu culture programme (evening display and explanation of local Tharu dances and culture)
- Canoeing Trips (done in calm channels of the Karnali river close to the lodge, we'll hire dug-out canoes from local families and paddle slowly past the park. Good for birdwatching and seeing local life)
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A Typical day at Bardia Eco Lodge
No two days need to be the same at Bardia as you have so many opportunities to explore in and around the park. The relaxed settings of the lodge, and the wildlife you can see from our gardens and the dining hall balcony mean you can also just relax and enjoy the tranquil settings around you if you wish. The park's elephants pass by the front of our land several times a day, and always make for great photo opportunities.
A typical day may include:
- A relaxed local breakfast in our dining hall overlooking the river and listening to the morning chorus.
- Cycling or walking along the river and through tiny local villages, seeing the very basic agricultural methods used here, and not forgetting your binoculars to do some birdwatching along the way.
- Back to the lodge for a hot filling lunch and siesta.
- An afternoon jeep safari with various walks into the jungle looking for Rhino, Tiger - perhaps Leopard and a multitude of other animals, birds and diverse flora.
- Back to the lodge to relax and unwind with a cold drink in preparation for the evening meal. Watch the sunset slowly disappear and look out for owls and nightjars flying through the gardens.
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Regional Activities Available
Nepal is likely to be one of the most interesting countries you will ever visit. Some of the world's greatest trekking, white water rafting and breathtaking scenery is all within easy reach.
We have strong links with the UK tour operator Encounters Travel, for those who would like to pre-book a tour that features Bardia but also covers much more of Nepal. For those travelling more independently, our staff in Bardia and office in Kathmandu can make arrangements for you to get to the park, and continue your travels around Nepal after your time with us in Bardia.
We will be very happy to give you advice on the best ways to include Bardia Eco Lodge in a longer tour through Nepal. For example, the trekking in the Himalayan foothills in the West of Nepal near Bardia is particularly interesting and rewarding, as the area is rarely visited by trekkers. Please contact Encounters Travel for more information. |
Package Tours
Full details on prices for packages, extra activities and transfers are given on our rates page
DIY Packages
These simple packages provide accommodation and meals only, and you can add as many different visits into the park and activities as you wish. You can either book and pay for these activities in advance, or decide while you are at the lodge.
Activity Packages
Our activity packages provide all your accommodation, meals, park entry fees and a selection of activities in the park. You can either choose your own preferred activities, or choose one of our suggested set packages that we feel give you the best experience of the park in the time you have available. As some activities (eg. jeep safaris and rafting trips) require a minimum number of participants, your exact daily itinerary will be finalised while you are at the lodge. This also allows you to take into account the location of recent sightings.
3 Days / 2 Nights Standard Package:
- Day 1
- pm - Arrive in the lodge sometime today. In the afternoon discover Tharu life and culture with a guided walk from the lodge through neighbouring villages and farmland.
- Meals - Dinner
- Day 2
- am - Morning Jeep Safari into the park. Packed lunch.
- pm - Guided Jungle Walk. Leave the jeep while inside the park and spend the afternoon spotting and walking back out to the lodge.
- Meals - Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Day 3
- am - Early morning bird watching walk outside the park followed by free time to relax or explore the surrounding village.
- pm - Departure from Bardia. Various transfer options available.
- Meals - Breakfast
4 days /3 Nights Activity Package:
- Day 1
- pm - Arrive in the lodge sometime today. In the afternoon discover Tharu life and culture with a guided walk from the lodge through neighbouring villages and farmland.
- Meals - Dinner
- Day 2
- am & pm - Full day guided Jungle Walk taking in various areas in the park and targetting different species. Packed lunch included.
- Meals - Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Day 3
- am - Morning Jeep Safari into the park. Packed lunch.
- pm - Guided Jungle Walk. Leave the jeep while inside the park and spend the afternoon spotting and walking back out to the lodge.
- Day 4
- am - Early morning bird watching walk outside the park followed by free time to relax or explore the surrounding village.
- pm - Departure from Bardia. Various transfer options available.
- Meals - Breakfast
5 Days/ 4 Nights Extended Package:
- Day 1
- pm - Arrive in the lodge sometime today. In the afternoon discover Tharu life and culture with a guided walk from the lodge through neighbouring villages and farmland.
- Meals - Dinner
- Day 2
- am & pm - Full day guided Jungle Walk taking in various areas in the park and targetting different species. Packed lunch included.
- Meals - Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Day 3
- am - Morning Jeep Safari into the park. Packed lunch.
- pm - Guided Jungle Walk. Leave the jeep while inside the park and spend the afternoon spotting and walking back out to the lodge.
- Day 4
- am & pm - Full day Rafting Trip through the park on tributaries of the Karnali River. This tour includes several stops and short jungle walks to good wildlife viewing spots. Return to the lodge in a traditional local ox cart. A packed lunch is included..
- Meals - Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Day 5
- am - Early morning bird watching walk outside the park followed by free time to relax or explore the surrounding village.
- pm - Departure from Bardia. Various transfer options available.
- Meals - Breakfast
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