Bardia National Park is the best place in Nepal to see Bengal tigers! It is more difficult, however, still quite likely the sighting of rhinos in the park. Compared to Chitwan Park, Bardia is a much more remote place where there are fewer people, since it is further away from Kathmandu and a few hours of travel compared to Chitwan. The fact that it is more remote and has fewer people, makes Bardia a much more special and natural place, with less human impact. In addition, in Bardia it is also possible to go hiking through the jungle, which makes the experience even more unique, more ecological and increases the probability of seeing tigers.
Bardia is much more isolated than the most visited park, Chiwan. It is located on the northern border of India, Far West Terai and is a place where there are no crowds, having 373 square kilometers of forest. In Bardia the forest is not as dense as in Chitwan and has more river areas, which makes it more likely to see wild animals, namely tigers.
When visiting Nepal and thinking about where to go to see some of the country's famous wildlife, the main choice is between Chitwan and Bardia National Parks. While they are both in the lowland Terai region which borders India, and have similar ecosystems and wildlife, the parks, and the experience of visiting them, is very different.
Bardia National Park is the best place in Nepal to see Bengal tigers! It is more difficult, however, still quite likely the sighting of rhinos in the park. Compared to Chitwan Park, Bardia is a much more remote place where there are fewer people, since it is further away from Kathmandu and a few more hours of travel compared to Chitwan.
Chitwan was the first National Park of Nepal, established in 1973, this park extends for 360 square kilometres in the Terai, the subtropical southern part of Nepal. From Kathmandu, Chitwan is a 4–5-hour drive, making it very accessible for most people and consequently often crowded. Its forest is mainly comprised of Sal Forest, Grassland and Marshes being home to the biggest Rhino population in Nepal with about 700 hundred individuals. Chitwan is a rich wildlife area hosting 68 species of mammals, of which the Bengal Tiger is the most famous one, and also a wide variety of birds, with 544 species that are seen in the park. There are three main species under protection in Chitwan National Park: One-horned Rhino, Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile, a species of fish-eating crocodile than was very close to global extinction. In Chitwan, the chances of spotting a wild One-horned Rhino are very high due to the large population that has been increasing after being on the edge of extinction in the early 20th century. Despite Chitwan being home to a considerable population of Bengal Tigers, the chances of sighting them are extremely low as the jungle in this park is thick and has a lot of water sources for the animals, so they will not go often to areas where people are normally roaming in search for them. One of the most know activities in Chitwan National Park is the Jeep Safari and you should expect to see several jeeps in the park searching for animals. Due to its proximity to Kathmandu and the high affluence of tourism, Chitwan is considered a low-cost wildlife experience which partly explains the less authentic jungle experience compared to other Parks such as Bardia National Park. The popularity of Chitwan over the years has created a wide area of hotels, cafes and restaurants around the park, mostly at the town of Sauraha on the edge of Chitwan. These infrastructures are commonly modern with few or none of the traditional methods and materials applied in the construction of most touristic structures. The accommodation in Chitwan usually contrasts with the wilderness that is expected on the jungle, with a lot of lodges available but with a less wilder setting compared to Bardia.
The fact that it is more remote and has fewer people, makes Bardia a much more special and natural place, with less human impact. In addition, in Bardia it is also possible to go hiking through the jungle, which makes the experience even more unique, more ecological and increases the probability of seeing tigers. Jungle walks are not really available in Chitwan as they are in Bardia, an experience that is unforgettable and most important harmless to wildlife. Chitwan is mainly providing jeep safaris which greatly disturbs the jungle and the behaviour of its inhabitants. The number of jeeps in Chitwan is considered one of the reasons why it is hard to increase their Tiger population. Tigers in the most natural environment need as much as twenty attempts to catch one prey. Having jeeps constantly on the Tigers’ habitat makes prey more aware and tigers perturbed, contributing to the unsuccess of some of the attempts.
Bardia is much more isolated than the most visited park, Chiwan. It is located on the northern border of India, Far West Terai and is a place where there are no crowds, having 373 square kilometres of forest. The buffer zone of Bardia National Park is home to one of the most authentic Tharu populations in Nepal as this is a much drier area where these people are used to leave for generations, perfecting their tools and methods to thrive in this wild area. Bearing that in mind, in Bardia there is a certainty of seeing the typical rural life of the Tharu people, their agricultural habits and mostly the symbiotic relationship with the jungle. Bardia National Park is harder to get to compared to Chitwan, requiring a slightly longer trip to make the most of it. However, it is extremely rewarding and worthwhile to visit one of the most magical places in Nepal, Bardia National Park.