Wild Life and Jungle SafariThe plains of southern Nepal are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna. The tropical jungles of this region, known as the Terai, are an incredible contrast to the towering mountains of the north.In both parks approximately 70% of their area is covered by Sal Forest with the balance a mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine forest. It is here that visitors encounter most wildlife.
Wild Life Destinations
Royal Chitwan National Park
Chitwan is the most popular choice of those in search of jungle adventure. The park is home to the royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino, sloth bear, langur monkeys, wild boar, numerous species of deer, leopard and other jungle cats.
Elephant back is a fantastic way to explore the jungle and offers the possibility of close-up views of rhinos in their natural habitat as well as many of the park's other inhabitants. With over 400 species as either permanent residents or migratory viisitors Chitwan's bird life is generally viewed on foot as you walk through jungle and open grasslands.
Boat along the Narayani River on the park's western boundry. It shelters a quarter of the world's remaining gharial population. This fish eating crocodile has long been hunted for the supposed aphrodesiac qualities of its snout.
Royal Bardiya National Park
Royal Bardiya National Park lies in the western Terai and comprises the largest and most undisturbed wilderness area of the region. Similar to Chitwan, but drier and more remote Bardiya contains the country's second largest tiger population and daytime sightings are more common here than in Chitwan.
The park provides excellent habitat for the rhino, wild elephant, tiger, swam deer, black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile and Gangetic dolphin.
The 200-plus bird species found here include a number of endangered varieties - amongst them the Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and Sarus crane.
