Top wildlife safari in Nepal / Protected area of Nepal

Safari is an adventure that leads you to explore the unexplored trails on natural horizon or forest. It is a kind of forest trail where you don’t have to walk you can explore the jungle area on jeep, elephant or on the horse. Jungle safari can be done only in conservation or protected areas under the guidance of an expert. Nepal has about 14 nationals’ parks and wildlife reserves. Nepal is the rich home of flora and fauna. You will get to see lots of endangered birds and animals as well as custom and tradition of Nepal. There are 12 national parks in Nepal. Similarly 1 wildlife reserve and 1 hunting reserve in Nepal.  Next not only that Nepal there are 6 conservation area.

Nepal has a different protected area which is located in low land Terai to the high Himalayas including the Everest region. Altitudes range from 67 m (220 fits) low land Terai to 8848 m (29029 fits) Mount Everest. Nepal extreme altitudes offer the different type of wild animals, flora and fauna and amazing landscape.

National parks -

• Chitwan National Park – 932 km2 (360 sq mi)
• Sagarmatha National Park – 1,148 km2 (443 sq mi)
• Langtang National Park – 1,710 km2 (660 sq mi)
• Rara National Park – 106 km2 (41 sq mi)
• Khaptad National Park – 225 km2 (87 sq mi)
• Shey Phoksundo National Park – 3,555 km2 (1,373 sq mi)
• Bardiya National Park – 968 km2 (374 sq mi)
• Makalu Barun National Park – 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi)
• Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park – 159 km2 (61 sq mi)
• Banke National Park – 550 km2 (210 sq mi)
• Shuklaphanta National Park – 305 km2 (118 sq mi)
• Parsa National Park – 637 km2 (246 sq mi)

Wildlife reserves

• Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve – 175 km2 (68 sq mi)]

Conservation areas

• Annapurna Conservation Area – 7,629 km2 (2,946 sq mi)
• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area – 2,035 km2 (786 sq mi)
• Manaslu Conservation Area – 1,663 km2 (642 sq mi)
• Blackbuck Conservation Area – 15.95 km2 (6.16 sq mi)
• Api Nampa Conservation Area – 1,903 km2 (735 sq mi)
• Gaurishankar Conservation Area – 2,179 km2 (841 sq mi)

Hunting Reserve

• Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve – 1,325 km2 (512 sq mi)

Ramsar Sites

The following Ramsar sites were declared between 1988 and 2008
• Bishazari Tal – 3,200 ha (12 sq mi)
• Ghodaghodi Tal – 2,563 ha (9.90 sq mi)
• Gokyo Lake Complex – 7,770 ha (30.0 sq mi)
• Gosaikunda – 13.8 ha (34 acres)
• Jagdishpur Reservoir – 225 ha (0.87 sq mi)
• Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve – 17,500 ha (68 sq mi)
• Mai Pokhari – 90 ha (220 acres)
• Phoksundo Lake – 494 ha (1.91 sq mi)
• Rara Lake – 1,583 ha (6.11 sq mi)
• Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley [8] – 178.5 km2 (68.9 sq mi)

Though there are lots of protected area inside Nepal, some of the most popular areas are described below:-

1. Chitwan National Park Safari:-

Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal. It has covered the area of 932 sq km and was established in 1773.  Chitwan National park lies in the central lowland of Nepal and it helps to conserve the ecosystem all around. As this is the most popular national park it was declared as UNESCO Natural Heritage site in 1979. The park is the most visited area of Nepal. The protected area is rich in flora and fauna and the home of different endangered animals.

Those who have the dream to observe wild animals, green forests and flat landscape of Terai region of Nepal than Chitwan national park Safari Tour is best. Inside the park, elephant safari is the most popular way to spot wildlife. You will be in the group with the guide and you can come 1 meter close of other animals. You also can explore wildlife by jeep safari. This trip helps you to get an awesome picture of animals and nature. Jeep safari can be either of a full day or half day depending on your choice.

Another way of exploring wildlife is a canoe ride. From this, you will slowly pass the shores and can view the bathing crocodiles and birds too. You will be accompanied by a guide who will tell you about animals. Similarly, a jungle walk or village walk offers you the chance of watching birds and viewing the lifestyle of indigenous local people. During the whole trip, you will be guided by the expertise of the area.

2. Bardia National Park Safari:-

Situated at the mid-far western region, Bardia Jungle safari is the 2nd popular jungle safari of Nepal. It is the largest and unspoiled area in the Terai covering the area of 968 sq km. The protected area was established in 1988 with the name of Royal Bardia National Park. Being very popular thousands of people comes to visit this place. If you want to explore the adventure and natural beauty of Nepal then Bardia National Park is the perfect choice for you.

Safari trip to the most wilderness area Bardia National Park provides you distinctive flora and fauna and scenery of the park. The National Park is the home of lots of endangered animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, wild elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, and Swamp deer, etc. Furthermore, the natural beauty of the lush green forest makes your trip more exciting.

In the trip, you will visit the exciting crocodile breeding center. Elephant Safari is another exciting and safest way to explore wildlife from close. You can have Tharu Village Tour; Tharu people are the ancient people of Bardia Jungle. You can see the lifestyle of those people. In the trip, you will enjoy a jungle walk or nature walk and you can get a chance to experience the hidden life of wildlife.

3. Parsa Wildlife Safari:-

This off beaten track Parsa Wildlife Reserve lies in the east of Chitwan National Park. It has covered the area of 499 sq km. Headquarter of the park is situated at Adhabar and area has spread up to a various district like Chitwan, Parsa, Bara, and Makwanpur. The area allows you to experience the pristine beauty of Parsa Wildlife Reserve. Parsa Wildlife reserve is culturally and naturally beautiful.

The conservation area is the homeland of various endangered animals such as wild elephant, leopard, tiger, sloth bear, and wild dog. The forest offers you to view many common animals like sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, hyena, rattle, jungle cat and many more. Many kinds of beautiful birds like hornbill, peafowl, flycatcher, woodpecker, etc. You will get to see different snakes like a king cobra, common cobra, krait, rat snake in that area because of the hot tropical climate.

4. Koshi Tapu Wildlife Safari:-

Koshi Tappu Wildlife lies in the between of Sunsari and Saptari at the eastern of Terai region. It covers an area of 175 sq km and one of the smallest conservation areas. It was actually established in 1976. The protected area was mainly established for the conservation of wild buffaloes but these days you can find endangered animals and birds.

The forest of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is very rich in flora and Fauna. It is the home of many endangered animals like Hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer, Blue bull, Bengal Tiger, Himalayan Thar protecting the wild buffaloes. The vegetation found here is deciduous forest, grassland, and marshy field.

This trip is the paradise for bird watchers. It is an exciting opportunity to watch some 400 species of birds inside the forest. Similarly, Jeep Safari is also another part of the trip to explore the conservation area. You will get to see many wild animals from the running jeep. Rafting in Koshi River is also another way of exploring the jungle. While rafting view of water birds, kingfisher diving into the water for food, crocodile sunbath, rare wild buffaloes and river dolphins can be spotted.

Likewise, the village and jungle walk is another interesting part of the trip. The trip offers you to view the lifestyle of ancient inhabitants of the area. Tharus have unique lifestyle than others and they are totally untouched by western culture. They decorate their house beautifully and their cultures are delightful. The village is plastic free and environmentally aware.