Bardiya Jungle Safari

Morning: Take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. The flight is approximately one hour and offers stunning views of the Himalayas on a clear day.

Afternoon: Upon arrival at Nepalgunj Airport, you will be met by a representative from your lodge. Enjoy a scenic drive (approx. 1.5-2 hours) to Bardiya National Park. Check into your chosen jungle lodge or resort.

Evening: After lunch and some relaxation, you will have a brief orientation from your naturalist guide. Your first activity is a village walk to a nearby Tharu village. The Tharu are the indigenous people of the Terai. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about their unique culture, traditions, and way of life.

Dinner & Briefing: Enjoy a welcome dinner. Your guide will brief you on the park's rules and the itinerary for the days ahead.

Morning: Wake up early for a Jeep Safari deep into the core area of the park. The early morning and late afternoon are the best times for wildlife spotting as animals are most active. This extended jeep ride will take you to areas known for tiger, rhino, and deer sightings. Your expert guide and driver will track pugmarks and other signs.

Afternoon: Return to the lodge for lunch and some rest during the hottest part of the day.

Late Afternoon: Embark on an Elephant Back Safari. This is a unique and traditional way to traverse the tall elephant grass and wetlands. Being elevated gives you a better vantage point and allows you to get closer to animals without disturbing them as much. It's a peaceful and immersive experience.

Evening: Dinner at the lodge. You might have a Tharu cultural dance performance arranged, where local performers showcase their traditional dances.

Full Day: Today is dedicated to a Full-Day Jeep Safari with a packed lunch. This is your best chance to venture into the most remote parts of the park, increasing the probability of encountering elusive wildlife like tigers and leopards. You will stop at various watchtowers, the Karnali River bank, and grasslands (phantas) for bird watching and animal spotting.

Alternative (More Adventurous): For the truly adventurous, you can opt for a Jungle Walk (on foot) with an armed guide for a part of the day instead of the full-day jeep. This gets your heart pounding as you learn to read the jungle's signs—alarm calls of deer and monkeys, fresh scat, and tracks. Note: This is strictly done in certain buffer zones with an experienced, armed park ranger for safety.

Evening: Return to the lodge, exhausted but exhilarated. Share stories of the day's sightings over dinner.

Morning: After breakfast, head out for a Canoe Ride on the Karnali or Babai River. Glide silently along the water in a traditional dugout canoe. This is an excellent activity for bird watching (you might see kingfishers, egrets, and even the endangered Sarus Crane) and for spotting basking crocodiles (Gharial and Mugger) on the riverbanks.

Afternoon: Enjoy lunch back at the lodge. You have the option to relax, visit the Crocodile Breeding Center, or take a shorter, more relaxed jungle walk or bicycle ride around the park's buffer zone.

Late Afternoon: One final Jeep Safari or a visit to a watchtower near the lodge for a last chance to see the jungle come alive in the evening light.

Evening: Farewell dinner at the lodge.

Morning: Enjoy one last breakfast in the wilderness. You might have time for some early morning bird watching around the lodge grounds.

Late Morning: Drive back to Nepalgunj Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu.

Afternoon: Arrive in Kathmandu, marking the end of your unforgettable Bardiya jungle safari.