Trip Overview:
Bardia National Park takes its glory of being the Largest National Park of Nepal and stretches within the area of 968 sq. km. This park is situated in the lowland of Terai and on the eastern banks of the Karnali River, the longest river of Nepal. Being in the mid-west region at the remoteness of 400 km west of Kathmandu this park is one of the most undisturbed areas of wilderness. The ecosystem of this area is well protected and has conserved the tiger and its prey species. In 1988, the wildlife reserve was given the status of a National. In 1997, an area of 327 sq. km surrounding the park was declared as a buffer zone, which consists of forests and private lands. The park and local communities jointly manage the exemplary buffer zone. In their united efforts they run many community development activities in order to manage natural resources in the buffer zones.

Highlights of Safari:
The Safari experience in Bardia National park, a land of opportunity to explore and enjoy the wilderness, is amazing and rewarding. This National park proffers you chance to observe 30 different mammals and 250 species of birds. The Park contains 70% of shore Robusta and the remaining 30% is covered with the balance mixture of grasslands and reverie woods. The Wild Boar, Hog Deer, Blue Bull, Porcupine, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Mongoose, Civets, Jungle Cats, Rhesus Monkey, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Otter, Jackal, Hyena, Common Leopard, Fishing Cat, Langur Monkey etc. are commonly seen. The Woodpecker (10 species), Heron (5 species), Bulbul (5 species), Dove (5 species), Egret (4 species), Parakeets, King fisher, Bee Eater, Barbet, Pigeon, Stork, Sunbird, Babbler, Warble, flycatcher and Bar-headed Goose are seen in this park. Catching views of a wide spectrum of such wildlife and birds sitting on the specially trained Elephant top happens to be a lifetime memory for you. The splendid Jeep Safari is yet another opportunity to have a quick recap over the beautiful and rare wildlife jungle adventure. Last but not the least you will enjoy your moments discovering the unique tradition and culture of an interesting ethnic people of Nepal – the Tharu. Although Nepal a land for all seasons and all reasons the best time to visit this National Park is November to April.

Activities (to be carried out):

3 Nights / 4 Days Package: Elephant safari, Canoeing (Crocodile hunt), Jungle walk / village walk, bird watching, Jeep drive in Jungle and Cultural program.

Elephant Safari: Riding on the back of specially trained Elephant top and moving forwards in pursuit of the exclusive spectrum of wildlife adventure is the most memorable and a larger than life opportunity for you.

Bird watching: Bardia National Park is renowned as a paradise for birds and animals. This park records over 250 species birds. The eagle eyes of our naturalist will point out some of the migratory and globally threatened birds for you.

Canoe trip: A float down the river by dugout canoe is the best way to see crocodiles basking on the riverbank. It is also a relaxing way to watch birds and wildlife species that frequently come to bathe and drink.

Jungle walk: You get the best animal sightings on foot at your own pace. You will be able to appreciate the smaller attractions of the jungle with our naturalists. Usually it is easy to see animals such as rhino, deer and sloths as these animals prefer to live in less disturbed areas of the park. Atop an elephant is the safest and most convenient way to get around in the jungle and observe the diversity of wild life.

Village tour: This tour will take you towards the ethnic inhabitants (known as Tharu Village) of this area. Commonly they are living on combined family, their houses are like huts and look smaller from outside yet enough space inside for their family. Mostly houses are decorated with their traditional multi-coloured paints on their outer walls. Women take up household chores and men can be seen taking their cattle to the nearby jungle in the morning and at day time they fish in the river for their food.

Jeep drive: A jeep drive is the fastest way to visit a wide area of the park. A 4-hour drive of some 45km in the park offers a good chance of most of the animals, birds and other nature’s attractions.

Tharu village walks: This is an interesting walk for viewing Tharu, an interesting ethnic tribe of Nepal, living in the houses made of mud and dung plastered over wood and reed frames. Their culture and tradition are still strong in the Terai. Local naturalists can take you to their villages and describe their lifestyle and culture.

Culture dance (Stick dance): Bardia is the region where many ethnic groups convene; their own culture and customs are still alive. Folk musical tradition varies among Nepal's many ethnic groups. The cultural dance presentation of the Tharu with sticks is genuinely very interesting to see.

Cultural Program: This is an entertainment of your time while you are in the park. You may feel tired from all jungle activities. One evening you can enjoy with the Tharu cultural stick dance. These community people are innocent people and they lack communication with the tourists at the first stage. Upon seeing tourists, they start welcoming with their dance at once. The Tharu people living near by villages display their culture commercially and professionally with some of Nepali, Indian songs and dances as well.

Day to Day Outline Itinerary (3 Nights/ 4 Days Package)

Day 01.	KATHMANDU – NEPALGUNJ Upon arrival to Nepalgunj by flight, Jeep Drive will head you towards Bardia National Park. Afterwards, you will enter the Bardia National Park and the resort inside. You will be given a short briefing on the program and facilities you will enjoy. After this a nice lunch will be awaiting you. Now you will be taken for Elephant-back safari: You will ride on an elephant to explore the jungle and wildlife enabling you to see verities of attractive birds and animals like the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts for 2/3 hours.
Day 02.	BARDIA NATIONAL PARK You will be given a wake up call quite early in the morning. After the tea, you will proceed on a Nature Walk with Jungle Guide. Walking on foot through to the jungle of Sal and open grassland you will enjoy the beautiful environment with chirping of birds, humming of insects and roaring of animals. Now you will get back to the resort for breakfast. Take part in Elephant briefing program for some while: Sharpen your knowledge about habits, habitats and lifestyle of this gigantic animal (For the brave ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephants). Afterwards, you will get back to the resort for lunch. After the lunch follows canoeing: A traditional dugout canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Narayani river to view aquatic birds and the animals of the riverbanks. In the evening you will be welcomed with a nice dinner.
Day 03.	BARDIA NATIONAL PARK Early in the morning you will be served with nice a breakfast. Then you will enjoy day with Jeep Drive Safari for a couple of hours. After Jeep Safari you will have lunch at your resort. Now you will be free for relaxing or bathing sitting on the Elephant top. In the evening you will be welcomed with a nice dinner. After the dinner, inside the resort itself you take part in a cultural programme. The main attraction is Tharu Stick dance: Tharu people will show some of their traditional skills and dances with their sticks along with campfire.
Day 04.	Bardia National Park – Kathmandu Early in the morning you will have a nice breakfast and set off for the visit to Karnali River for Dolphin Sightseeing. Then you will get back to the resort for lunch. After the lunch, you will proceed to the journey to Kathmandu (Driven to the Nepalgunj Airport and Fly Back to Kathmandu). The flight duration is approx.1 hour 10 minutes.

N.B.: The activities are adjusted to the season and weather conditions. Naturally, it may not always be possible to follow this schedule as it is and the circumstances may force us to alter the program at short notice. On safari in the jungle, you will be accompanied by expert naturalists who will advise on safety procedures and we request you to respect their judgment at all times. If you wish to stroll in the forest alone, a guide will have to accompany you for your safety.

Trip Cost Includes

Trip Cost Excludes

Total Trip Cost Per Person: USD 890

Location: Inside the park (Bardia Jungle Resort / Camp)
Transportation: Flight and Jeep Drive