Bardia National Park is a most visit place, known for its Vegetation, Fauna and variety of mammals, reptiles and birds. Bardia is also spelled Bardiya is a protected area in Nepal, established in 1988 as Royal Bardia National Park. It is a beautiful, unspoiled the largest national park in the Terai, a perfect place to be to learn more about Nepal's wildlife.
Bardia National Park is also one of the most undisturbed protected areas in the Terai and is home to the endangered Royal Bengal tiger and Nepal's famous one-horned rhinoceros. The park also offers opportunity of fishing at River Karnali and River Babai. The best time to visit is autumn, winter and early summer when the weather is warm and dry.
Vegetation - Bardia National Park
Where is Bardia National Park?
How to reach Bardia National Park?
Best time for visiting Bardia National Park
Major Things to do in Bardia National Park
Some reasons to visit Bardia National Park
Accommodation in Bardia National Park
Inspiration to travel to Bardia National Park
Bardia National Park is also known as its the wide range of vegetation. About 70% of the park is covered with forest, with the balance a mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine forest. The flora recorded in the park comprises 839 species of flora, including 173 vascular plant species comprising 140 dicots, 26 monocots, six fern, and one gymnosperm species.
The wide range of vegetation types in forest and grassland of Bardia National Park provides an excellent habitat for 642 faunal species. The Karnali-Babai river system, their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes is habitat for 125 recorded species of fish. A small population of gharial inhabits the rivers. Apart from the mugger crocodiles, 23 reptile and amphibian species have been recorded in Bardia National Park.
The Bardiya National Park is also home to at least 53 mammals including wild elephant, swamp deer, blackbuck, gharial crocodile and marsh-mugger crocodile. And the exotic Gangetic dolphin is also sometimes seen in River Karnali.
The largest and most undisturbed Bardia National Park is located in the Terai region covering an area of 968 km2 of sal forest, grassland, savannah and riverine forest. The number of tourists to Bardia National Park is growing each year but still it is not overrun by the visitors so visit to Bardia brings more opportunities to spot endangered species of wildlife.
To get Bardia National Park from Kathmandu, we can take an hour flight to Nepalgunj and take 3 hours drive to the park. We can also travel by land but it is a long journey as it takes about 12 hours of drive. To breakdown long way to Bardia from Kathmandu, Pokhara or Chitwan, we can stop at Lumbini for a night, explore Lumbini and continue our journey to Bardia other day.
By Air: The nearest airport is at Nepalgunj. Which is 87 km from Bardia National Park. There are regular flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.
By Road: 580 km from Kathmandu; 195 km from Lumbini; 238 km from Pokhara; and 3-2 kms from Sauraha Chitwan.
To get Bardia National Park from Kathmandu, we can take an hour flight to Nepalgunj and take 3 hours drive to the park. We can also travel by land but it is a long journey as it takes about 12 hours of drive. To breakdown long way to Bardia from Kathmandu, Pokhara or Chitwan, we can stop at Lumbini for a night, explore Lumbini and continue our journey to Bardia other day.
The best season for visiting Bardia National Park is from mid-September till mid-December and the start of February till the end of May. Visiting Bardia during the mentioned periods provides big changes to see the Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife. The periods between June to August is monsoon season but we can visit Bardia as it will still have its charms."
Jungle Walk: Jungle walk is the best possible eco-friendly way of exploring the beautiful and unspoiled Bardia National Park. It is one of the most popular things to do in Bardia National Park and it is an opportunity to experience the diverse wildlife, flora, fauna and the best way to see the real beauty of national park, wildlife and birds.
Jungle walk in Bardia is an exciting and thrilling activity lead by the experienced jungle guides who are well-trained to show you the best of Bardia National Park in a safe way.
Jeep Safari: Jeep Safari Trip is one of the major highlights and most things to do in Bardia National Park. Full day jeep safari in Bardia is highly recommended activity that takes you to the deep jungle offering you the chances of explore different flora and fauna. Jeep safari provides probably the best change to see the Tiger.
Boating or Rafting: The beautiful rivers of Karnali and Babai provides good opportunity for Boating or Rafting trip. Boating or Rafting in Bardia is suitable for travelers from all age group. Karnali and Babai river flows slow and calm with very little rapids so rafting trip in Bardia is very relaxing activity so even if you are traveling to Bardia for easy stay, you can go for this trip.
Similarly, you can combine your rafting trip in Karnali and Bheri river with fishing trip. Fishing trip is a growing activity in Bardia and highly recommended one. Rafting in the Karnali and Bheri river also provides you an opportunity to spot the rare Gangetic river dolphin as well as the beautiful birds and animals on the riverbanks.
Bird watching: Bardia National Park is home of 407 species of birds including rare and endangered one. The Bengal florican, white-rumped vulture, peafowl, bar-headed geese are some of the some species of birds that you can see while bird watching in Bardia National Park. The period from September to November and February to April are the best for the bird watching trip in Bardia.
Fishing: Fishing in Bardia is another popular things to do while you are visiting Bardia National Park. Bardia is one of the best habitat for mighty golden mahsheer and there are several spots for fishing such as Babai valley, Karnali river etc. The best season for fishing trip in Bardia is before the monsoon season (February to April) and after the monsoon (October to end of November).
Overnight Camping in the Jungle: Jungle Camping is another most do thing while you are in Bardia National Park as it is an amazing opportunity to experience the real Bardia wilderness and the thrill of camping in the jungle. Camping site in Bardia is mostly by the side of beautiful Karnali river so you can spot wild animals crossing the river. Also during the night when you are sleeping, the camp staff will stay awake and wake you up when an animal is in the area.
Sleeping in a Treehouse: Sleeping in a Treehouse is unique experience and it can make your Bardia visit extra special. Treehouse in Bardia is located inside the community forest where the locals are working together with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to conserve the wild animals.
Staying in treehouse, you can enjoy the beautiful view of grassland and sometime you might spot rhinos, deers and many species of birds. Beautiful sunrise and sunset views are another highlights of Treehouse overnight stay.
Bardia National Park is the best in Nepal and one of the best places in the world for spotting the Royal Bengal Tiger in the wild. When you are in Bardia National Park, you can go for full day tiger tracking tour with an experienced local guide and tiger tracking tour in Bardia National Park is all about searching the Royal Bengal tiger in the wild.
Bardia National Park is a home to the Asian elephant, the greater one-horned rhinoceros and 50 species of mammal including the Gharial crocodile, Marsh mugger crocodile, leopard, swamp deer and grey langur monkeys.
More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in Bardia National Park that includes the endangered Bengal florican and Sarus crane. So if you are a birdlover, Bardia National Park is one of the places you should visit.
Bardia National Park is not only about Royal Bengal tiger, wildlife and birds. It is also a great place for anglers as fishing on the Karnali or Babai river is one of the major things to do in Bardia and it is a great habitat for the 125 recorded species of fish like the golden mahseer.
At Bardia National Park, different types of accommodative options are available to bring the wildlife experience more blessed and nurtured with exotic luxury services under the laps of natural beauty. The available hotels and resorts in the vicinity are being designed so as to match your necessities and preferences.
The world's leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin awarded Bardia as the "Best Eco-Tourism Destination of Asia Pacific Region." This award was in recognition of the initiatives for sustainable tourism and excellent conservation efforts.
The most recent mention is by Lonely Planet, a reputable and trusted guidebook that listed Bardia National Park as one of the best places to see the Bengal Tigers in their natural habitat. According to the article, there are only 5574 tigers living in the wild out of which, over 125 tigers live in Bardia alone.
The national park has been visited by dignitaries and celebrities as well, keeping Bardia in the limelight in the foreign press as well.
In 2010, actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio had travelled to Bardia as a Goodwill Ambassador of WWF.
Actress, multi-platinum recording artist Selena Gomez visited Nepal in May 2014 as a goodwill UNICEF ambassador, and visited Bardia National Park.
On 21 March 2016, Prince Henry of Wales visited the park and rafted from Gainda Machan to Baghura, and even spent time at Dalla Homestay too.
Mr. Alastair Driver, the Main Advisor of UK's Prime Minister and his team had visited Bardia for 9 nights recently.
Day 01: Travel from Kathmandu to Bardia
Take an hour flight to Nepalgunj and 3 hours drive to Bardia National Park. Room check-in and there will be short brifing on your jungle safari program in Bardia National Park. Afternoon, we take our lunch and we leave for short walk around local village and enjoy sunset view from the beautiful Karnani River bank. Evening dinner at the hotel.
Day 02: Jungle safari in Bardia National Park
Breakfast and we leave for half day Jungle Walk with our guide. Jungle walk in Bardia National Park is an opportunity to learn about flora and fauna vegetation of Bardia National Park. We can also see many of beautiful birds during the jungle walk.
Afternoon lunch at the hotel and we leave for Tiger Tracking Tour in Bardia National Park. We walk to the jungle and spend our time at the Machan waiting for the wildlife movements.
Day 03: Jeep safari in Bardia National Park
Breakfast and we leave for full day jeep safari in Bardia National Park. Jeep safari in Bardia National Park is probably the best way to experience real beauty of Bardia National Park. During the Jeep safari in Bardia National Park, we can see many of wild animals and birds.
Day 04: End of Bardia jungle safari tour.
Breakfast and drive to onwards departure according to your schedule.
Spend a minimum of 4 days and 3 nights in Bardia To fully enjoy your time in Bardia National Park, we suggest planning a relaxing stay of 4 to 5 days. This extended duration provides ample opportunity to explore the park and greatly enhances the likelihood of encountering its diverse wildlife. Additionally, it offers plenty of time to fully experience the surrounding rural areas and gain a deep understanding of the captivating Tharu culture.
Plan your visit to Bardia between mid-September and mid-December or mid-February to the end of May. During these months, the day temperatures range between 25 to 37 degrees, prompting animals to gather at the riverbanks, offering excellent opportunities for observation. Prime tiger-spotting moments occur in November, March, and April, while bird enthusiasts will find February particularly appealing due to the abundance of migratory birds.
While the period from mid-December to the end of January may bring chillier weather and occasional fog, rest assured that our campfire will be ready to warm you in the evenings. The monsoon season, lasting from June to mid-September, brings warm and humid days with intermittent rain. Despite the rain, the lush greenery of the forest and surrounding landscape, along with the occasional appearance of the rare Gangetic river dolphin, make it a unique time to visit. Keep in mind that rising river levels during this period may pose some challenges in park access, but rafting remains an exciting option to explore, offering a chance to encounter the elusive Gangetic river dolphin.
Make sure to experience a jungle walk and jeep safari The best way to truly immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Bardia National Park is by embarking on a jungle walk or a thrilling jeep safari. These exhilarating adventures will allow you to fully experience the wilderness firsthand. Embark on a captivating half or full-day jungle walk to explore the mesmerizing grassland and enchanting riverine forest in the southwestern region of the park. On a jeep safari, you'll have the opportunity to visit the river viewpoints and explore the beautiful Sal forest located in the Midwest and Northwest regions of the park.
Having a pair of binoculars and a camera with a high-quality telephoto lens would greatly enhance your experience. You will often observe animals and birds from a considerable distance. Your guide also provides high-quality binoculars. Don't forget to bring your lightweight binoculars (such as 8 x 42) with you. A camera with a high-quality telephoto lens is highly recommended for capturing and preserving your precious wildlife-spotting memories.
When exploring the jungle, it's best to choose casual and lightweight clothing in natural colors. Opt for clothing that enables you to effortlessly merge with the surroundings, ensuring minimal disruption to the wildlife. Choose neutral colors like brown, green, grey, or black, avoiding vibrant shades such as white, red, pink, and yellow. Considering the consistently warm weather, experts suggest opting for breathable light cotton fabrics. Given the presence of prickly bushes, tall grass, and strong sunlight, it is recommended to wear long pants and a T-shirt or cotton blouse for both protection and comfort.
Travel Responsibly Promoting sustainable tourism in and around Bardia National Park is crucial for maintaining a harmonious balance between local life and culture, wildlife conservation, and tourism. Your assistance in achieving this balance is greatly appreciated when you adhere to the following tips:
Remember to bring your refillable water bottle or thermos flask to help reduce the use of plastic bottles and bags. Consider using shampoo and soap bars instead of their bottled counterparts. Remember to avoid accepting plastic bags from shops and instead, make use of your cotton bag. Please help maintain the cleanliness of the national park by collecting any plastic you come across and disposing of it properly at your hotel, resort, or homestay. Please be considerate of the privacy and dignity of locals by asking for their consent before taking any photographs of them. Although it may be tempting to give chocolates or gifts to children on the streets, it is important to explore other ways to make a positive impact. One option is to seek advice from your guide or local authorities on how to support schools or other community initiatives. This ensures that your acts of kindness do not unintentionally promote a culture of begging.
Explore the local communities Experience the rich Tharu culture by embarking on a guided tour of the local villages. Bardia can be a suitable destination for those interested in understanding the local caste dynamics. There have been numerous mythological stories that have unfortunately been lost within the local Tharu caste. Their marriage also holds a unique narrative. For those seeking a wide range of experiences, Tiger Tops offers the perfect opportunity to explore various activities. If you want to explore such diverse things, Tiger Tops gives you this facility too.
If you have any question or need our assistance to plan your visit to Bardia National Park, please write us.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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