National Parks & Wildlife Reserves

Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP), which covers an area of 932 square kilometers, is the oldest national park in Nepal. Lying in the subtropical inner Terai (plain and lowland) to the southern part of central Nepal, the park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984. The park includes more than 43 species of mammals and 450 species of birds and 45 species of amphibians. March and December are considered to be best periods of the year to watch birds.

Sagarmatha National Park lies to the northeast of Kathmandu in the Khumu Region. Many mountain peaks such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Lotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Choyu, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Thamserku, among others are situated in the park. Covering an area of 1,148 square kilometers, the park attracts people when the beautiful rhododendrons bloom during spring. The snow leopard and Himalayan black bear and many other wild animals are found in the park. Having populated by about 3,000 Sherpas, the park covers Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Thyangboche, Pangboche and Phortse. The entire Khumu area is considered to be one of the best and attractive trekking areas of the Kingdom. 

Langtang National Park is situated in the central Himalaya. This is the nearest park from Kathmandu. Stretched in 1,710 square kilometers, the park is linked with Nepal-Tibet border. Different types of tree such as oak, pine, hemlock and various species of rhododendrons are found in the park. About 25 per cent of the park area provides habitat for various wild animals such as wild dog, red panda, musk deer, goral, rhesus monkey and common languor. During spring and autumn, different species of birds migrate between India and Tibet through the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi rivers. Within the park boundaries, about 50,000 people belonging to various ethnic groups live in 45 villages. About 20,000 people of the area depend on the park resources for timber, fodder and firewood. 

Royal Bardiya National Park, situated in the far-western lowland to the east of the Karnali River, covers a wide area. The largest and most undisturbed area in the plain land, about 70 per cent of the park is covered with a mixture of grassland, Savannah and riverine forest. The park has been an excellent habitat for various endangered species like rhinoceros, wild elephant, tiger, swamp deer, gharial crocodile, among others. There are more than 30 different mammals, 200 species of birds and many snakes, lizards and fish are found in the park. A large number of resident and migratory birds are seen in the park.

Shey-Phoksundo National Park, which covers 3,555 square kilometers of land, is the largest national park in Nepal. Located in the mountain region of western part of the country, the park contains forests with blue pine, spruce, cypress, polar and others. The park has been a prime habitat for snow leopard and blue sheep. Various species of pheasants (danphes), raven, jungle crow and many other birds are found in the park that lies in Dolpa and Mugu districts. 

Rara National Park, which covers an area of 106 square kilometers, is the smallest park of Nepal. Situated in Mugu district, the largest lake of the Kingdom—Rara (10.8 sq. kms.) – is in the park area.  The park is located in northwestern part of Nepal about 371 kilometers air distance from Kathmandu. The park extends from 1800 meters to 4048 meters and it is covered with coniferous forest. Diverse species of trees such as blue pine, black juniper, oak, Himalayan cypress and other similar types of species are found in the lake area of the park. Many species of wild animals like black deer, leopard, goral, Himalayan thar and wild boar can be seen there. The only fish species recorded in the lake is snow trout. Several migrant waterfowls are one of the attractions of the park. Various species of pheasants, choker partridge, snow-cock are also found in the park.

Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area is another important place to visit. The park, which covers an area of 2,330 square kilometers, lies in Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu districts. The park is bordered by the Arun River in the east and Sagarmatha national park in the west. The park is linked with Nepal-China border in the north. The park is known as the richest and unique pocket of plants and animals. The park is expanded from 1,000 meters to 5,000 meters. Forty-seven varieties of orchids, 67 species of medicinal herbs, 25 of Nepal's 30 varieties of rhododendrons and more than 400 species of birds are found in the park. Similarly, 19 species of bamboo, 15 oaks, 86 species of fodder trees and 48 species of primrose are available. The Arun River system has 84 different species of fish. Around 35,000 people from various ethic communities live in the park and conservation area. 

Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve lies in the southern part of the far-western part of Nepal. The reserve that lies in Kanchanpur district, covers an area of 305 square kilometers. Various species of trees like sail, disso are found in the reserve area. The reserve is a prime habitat for swamp deer. More than 3,000 people live in the area. The reserve records a total of 200 species of birds. The area also contains marsh mugger, Indian python, krait, cobra, etc.

Koshi Tape Wildlife Reserve is located between the eastern and western embankments of the Santa Koshi River, the largest river of Nepal.  Lying between Atari and Sun sari districts in eastern part of the Kingdom, the reserve offers an important habitat for a variety of wildlife. About 100 wild buffaloes (arena) and several other mammals such as hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer and blue bull are found in the reserve. The reserve records a total of 280 various species of birds. Several species of birds recorded here are not found in other parts of the country.

#For jungle safari:
Bring walking boots and evening shoes; light and long trousers and long-sleeved shirts.
You are also requested to Short-sleeved shirts for daytime, casual clothes for the evenings.
Credit cards are only accepted in some shops.