The Chitwan region has had
a long history of conservation. For many years it was the
Royal hunting grounds for the Kings and dignitaries of Nepal
and therefore was not hunted by the general public. It did
however become a favorite spot for big game safari hunters
in the late nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth centuries.
This was coupled with a surge in local human populations following
the development of anti-malaria medicines in the mid-twentieth
century. Chitwan National Park offers a wilderness of rich
ecosystem that includes mammals, birds, reptiles and water
animals of several kinds. It is little surprising therefore
that this is one of the most popular and most frequented parts
of the country. Owing to its rich adornment of nature the
park was declared UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1979. The
park that includes in its area a part of the Shivalik Hills
is covered with deciduous forests overlooking the flood plains
of Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers. There are around 600 plant
species, 50 mammals, 526 birds and 49 amphibians, reptiles
found in the park. The highlights, of course, are the 500
Asian one-horned Rhinoceros and some 100 nocturnal Royal Bengali
Tigers that live in the dense forests of the park. Sharing
home with these are other animals like rhesus monkey, grey
langur, deer, leopards, white stocking gaur, wild boar, wild
dogs and wild cats. Among reptiles are different kinds of
snakes including the python, while the river areas breed amphibians
like the endangered snouted gharial
You Can Do
•
Jungle Drives: Boarded on a four-wheel drive safari jeep,
you will drive through the jungle where you can see hundreds
of wild animals in their natural setting including the rare
and endangered species of Royal Bengal Tiger, One-horned Rhino
etc. As you visit the Ox-bow Lake and 20,000 lakes, you can
see various mammals and birds that come their to drink water.
• Canoe Riding : You can boat on the Rapti river on
a typical hand-made canoe dug-out of wood. As you canoe, you
can see Gharials and Crocodiles basking in the sun and enjoy
watching many colorful birds.
• Bird Watching: Chitwan National Park is hometo about
500 species of residential and migratory birds including the
endangered species like Great pied hornbill, Bengal Florican
and Peregrine falcon. The park is an excellent site for bird
watchers.
• Tharu Cultural Village tour : Tharus are the indigenous
ethnic tribe of Terai of Nepal. Safari Wildlife Lodge offers
guided cultural tours to the Tharu villages where you can
interact and see the Tharus and their culture. On the way
you will also visit the recently opened Tharu cultural museum,
where you can explore and learn about the artifacts, tradition
and living culture of Tharus.
• Elephant Breeding Center : Skyline Treks will take
you to the first Elephant Breeding center of Asia, where you
can see baby elephants socializing with their parents and
other babies. The center lies at a convenient location from
our camp.
• Tharu Stick Dance : Skyline Treks will arrange a Tharu
Stick dance, a typical cultural dance of Tharus, every evening
at the camp. The drummers and stick dancers perform traditional
movements and invite guests to join them maiming rhythmically.
• Elephant Safari : Riding an elephant is the safest
mode to enter the jungle. In the Safari you can have close
up views of the wild animals and their activities safely from
the elephant back. Many tourists have described this program
as one of the unforgettable moments of their life.
• Elephant Bathing: If you are interested to have more
fun, you can enjoy the exotic elephant bath in the fresh running
water of Rapti. You can bathe together along with elephant(s)
in the clean water of Rapti where well-trained domestic elephants
will shower and caress you with their trunks and you can do
your bit to the elephant if you are interested.
• Jungle walk : If you want more adventure and intimacy
with nature, you can walk through the jungle accompanied by
a well-trained nature guide. This is a very enjoyable program
that allows you to have a close watch and learn about the
flora and fauna of the park. The nature guide will explain
give you a detailed information about the plants and animals
there. From the Machans (watch towers), perched at various
places inside the jungle by the National park, you can observe
wild animals walking around, grazing, drinking water or sleeping
in the bushes as you safely rest in the wilderness
Itinerary
DAY
01: |
Drive
to Chitwan National Park upon arrival, rooms assigned
and there will be a short briefing on the program and
our facilities. 4:00 PM: Elephant-back safari: Guests
will ride on an elephant to explore the jungle and wildlife
you will be able to see 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. 7:00 PM: Dinner in
the central dining hall. (B.L.D)
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DAY
02: |
5:30
AM: Wake-up call followed by tea or coffee, and
then proceeds on a Nature Walk. This encounter on foot
with the environment will introduce the main features
of eastern Chitwan. Sal forest, open grassland and reverie
jungle. Our guides will help you identify some species
of birds, plants and other wildlife that you may encounter.
8:30 AM: Breakfast
9:30 AM: Elephant briefing
program: Learn more about these fascinating animals
during a visit to our elephant stable. (For the brave
ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading
the elephants)
1.00 PM: LUNCH. After
lunch, canoeing: A traditional dugout canoe takes you
on a silent trip down the Rapti river to view aquatic
birds and the animals of the riverbanks. Back to resort
through the Jungle.
7:00 PM: Tharu Stick
dance: Farmers of the nearby villages will show some
of their traditional skills and dances. 8:00 PM: Dinner
around the campfiring. (B.L.D)
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DAY
03: |
ROYAL
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK - KATHMANDU
5.30 AM: Bird Watching
(or another elephant ride) after early morning tea/coffee.
8.00 AM: Breakfast
9.00 AM: Luggage down
and departure at 9.30 AM. to Kathmandu.
The actual program for your stay, will be given to you
on arrival at Resort / camp. The activities are adjusted
to the season and weather conditions. Naturally, it
may not always be possible to follow this schedule to
the minute 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 judgement at all times. If you wish to stroll
in the forest alone, a guide will have to accompany
you for your safety. O/N in Kathmandu (B.L.D)
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