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Regarding our extension to Suklaphanta National Park - we had a great time and thank you so much for recommending it... it really made our holiday. The lodge is lovely and there is now electricity in the tents (so you can charge phones etc there as well as see at night!) and constant hot water in the showers etc. The food was great, tents comfortable and the staff were lovely. The local guide, Dipendra prasad Bhatt, was a star and really knew his way round the park and the best places to go. We were the only people in the park so had the whole place to ourselves. We were very lucky to have two Tiger sightings - one from a viewing tower in the long grass, and the other from the bank of the river. We were able to spend a long time just watching the Tigers with no one else impeding our view etc. We would thoroughly recommend this extension. It really made the trip to have two further tiger sightings. We felt very lucky to stay somewhere so unspoilt and with such lovely staff and surroundings. The park is teeming with wildlife and really worth a visit. L.D. London
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Nepal - Tigers of Chitwan & Bardia National Parks
Tour Code: NPL21A 12-day, two-centre holiday that goes in search of Tigers and other spectacular wildlife in two of Nepal's finest national parks.
£5,395 (Inc flights)
£4,495
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Summary
India may be the destination best known for the reliability of its Tiger sightings, yet, in the lowland parks of neighbouring Nepal, Tiger densities are often higher and tourist numbers are considerably lower. Here, one is able to explore the domain of the Tiger and its prey on foot, immersing oneself in the sights and sounds of the jungle, which is forbidden in most Indian reserves. The scenery is second to none, the snowbound summits of the high Himalaya dominating the northern horizon. Nepal's Tigers are not as habituated as they are in the parks of central India, and they can be vanishingly elusive amongst their dense habitat of tall elephant grass and tangled riverine jungles, but this just serves to make a Tiger sighting in the country’s wildlife-rich lowlands (known as the 'terai') all the more thrilling and rewarding.
- Search for Tigers in Nepal, where their population is growing rapidly
- Explore two stunning national parks – Bardia and Chitwan – by jeep, boat and on foot!
- See some of Asia’s most spectacular wildlife, including Asian Elephant and Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
- Gharial, Ganges River Dolphin, Sloth Bear & Gaur all possible
- Stay in stylish and luxurious accommodation throughout
- The reserves are home to over 300 species of bird
- Optional 3-night extension to the breathtaking Himalayan foothills, where mountain birds abound
- Add a 2-night extension to Suklaphanta National Park for further Tiger opportunities
India may be the destination best known for the reliability of its Tiger sightings, yet, in the lowland parks of neighbouring Nepal, the densities of this majestic big cat are generally healthier and the pressure from tourism less intense. In this beautiful Himalayan kingdom, one is able to explore the domain of the Tiger and its prey on foot, immersing oneself amongst the sights and sounds of the jungle, which in India is forbidden. Here, too, the scenery is second to none, the snowbound summits of the high Himalaya dominating the northern horizon. Nepal's Tigers may not be habituated, as they are in the reserves of central India, and they may be elusive (as they should be!) amongst the tall elephant grass and dense riverine jungles of the country's national parks, but a Tiger sighting in Nepal's wildlife-rich lowlands (known as the terai) is worth, to the naturalist, a hundred sightings in India to the south.
On this exciting tour we will focus on two of Nepal's very best national parks — Bardia and Chitwan — and stay in two of the country's finest wildlife lodges, Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge in Bardia and Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge in Chitwan. We will search for Tigers and the wealth of other wildlife in these parks on jeep safaris, and in Bardia we will spend time watching from 'blinds', patiently scanning the banks of the broad Karnali River for our quarry at dawn and dusk. We will also enjoy boat trips along slow-flowing rivers and, best of all, we will explore the realm of the Tiger on foot, experiencing the raw essence of the heart of the jungle.
We begin, however, by flying from London to Kathmandu, via Doha, before transferring to the country's finest heritage hotel, Dwarika’s, a fascinating cultural experience in itself and an opulent 5-star oasis in the heart of the bustling city. Expert guides will be on hand for anyone wishing to experience the enthralling sights of the capital — a sensory feast of colours, sounds and people, including some spectacular temples. Other group members may prefer simply to relax by Dwarika’s pool, or treat themselves to a massage in the spa.
The next morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, we will take a short morning flight to Nepalgunj, in western Nepal, from where the dramatic peaks of the Langtang Range are often visible. Refreshments will be provided on arrival, before we begin the 2-hour drive to the exquisite Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge, situated on the very edge of Bardia National Park. Here a 4-night stay will give us ample time to explore the park's Sal forests, grasslands and riverine habitats in which Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Blackbuck, Gangetic River Dolphin and Tiger, not to mention a rich birdlife, may be amongst the highlights.
Our exploration of this wilderness will focus on traditional game drives in 4x4 vehicles, but we will also have the opportunity to cruise the Karnali River on boat safaris, and venture into the forest on foot. This will provide us with a more intimate experience of this wild landscape, and will likely produce some excellent sightings, especially of the more secretive birds that are hard to view from a vehicle. We will enjoy delicious cooked lunches deep within the jungle, while evenings can be spent chatting around an outdoor fire, before moving into the splendid Ghol Gar (Nepalese dining room) for a traditional Nepali dinner.
Leaving Bardia, we will drive eastwards through Nepal's lowland 'terai' to the luxurious Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, our base for a further four nights as we explore Chitwan National Park, one of the Indian subcontinent's finest wildlife havens and backed by the distant snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya. Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant and some of the park's 500 or more Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses are just a few of the mammalian highlights we hope to find here, along with such birds as Great Hornbill, White-rumped Shama and Himalayan Rubythroat.
After a final early morning bird walk we will head to the small airport at Bharatpur for our flight back to Kathmandu, where a single night at Dwarika’s Hotel will precede our departure back home. Nepal is fast becoming a global stronghold for Tigers, and we will hopefully leave with some wonderful memories of the world’s most majestic cat.
For those wishing to stay a little longer in Nepal, we offer a 3-night extension to Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. Perched over 300 metres above the Pokhara Valley, and framed by Himalayan peaks, the lodge nestles in a spectacular setting, and offers some exciting mountain birds including Great Barbet, White-vented Laughing-thrush and Green Magpie.
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2024
2025
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