While most visitors will want to visit Nepal for a chance to trek along Annapurna or reach Everest Base Camp, others will go for a chance to see Kathmandu and its incredible temples. However, there are plenty of national parks where travelers can witness local wildlife up close, surrounded by amazing mountain landscapes.
Travelers hoping to get the chance to go on safari to see bengal tigers at a short distance, can also get to see local birds, leopards, rhinos, and elephants. Here are ten national parks visitors should not miss when visiting Nepal.
Wild Rhinoceros (Encounter Asia)
Chitwan
Travelers will want to get ready to see one-horned asiatic rhinoceros when visiting Chitwan National Park, as the population of this particular animal has been greatly protected from poachers. However, they might also get the chance to see leopards, sloth bears, monkeys, crocodiles, and (depending on the season) elephants. Although this park also has a tiger population, they’re not as visible compared to other reserves. However, these big cats are known to pop up during safari expeditions.
Wildlife Safari Tour (Encounter Asia)
Bardia
Visitors hoping to catch a good view of asiatic elephants will not want to miss a visit to Bardia National Park, a less crowded option where there are more of these majestic animals to watch. Other fauna located here are tigers, rhinos, Ganges river dolphins, swamp deer, and local crocodiles. Avid bird watchers will also want to get a glimpse of bengal floricans, white-rumped vultures, peafowls, and bar-headed geese.
Wildlife Viewing (Responsible Adventures)
Sagarmatha
This park is home to Everest, and provides stunning views of the highest mountain. There are plenty of rhododendrons on display in terms of flora, while the available wildlife includes 208 bird species, snow and Indian leopards, the Himalayan thar, Himalayan serow, and musk deer.
One-Horned Rhino (Responsible Adventures)
Makalu Barun
An extension of Sagarmatha National Park, Makalu Barun is home to many incredible creatures, including the red panda. There are a myriad of species of butterflies, reptiles, fish, and birds. Visitors can encounter snow, Indian, and clouded leopards, jungle cats, golden jackals, Himalayan wolves, black bears, and Hanuman langur, among several others.
Elephant Ride (Responsible Adventures)
Langtang
This park which is part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape has 18 different ecosystems, including tropical forests. Animals available in the area include red pandas, musk deer, Himalayan tahrs, black bears, snow leopards, and several kinds of birds.
Yak Porter (Responsible Adventures)
Khaptad
This park has 287 species of birds residing in it, including impeyan pheasants, peregrine falcons, and white-rumped vultures. However, visitors can algo get the chance to see leopards, Himalayan black bears, and musk deer.
Porter Donkey in Annapurna Region (Responsible Adventures)
Shey-phoksundo
This park aside from its wildlife offerings, allows travelers to see renovated forts (locally referred to as gompas) and other religious sites, providing the chance to see flora, fauna, and culture. Animals inhabiting the area include snow leopards, Himalayan wolves and brown bears, Himalayan tahrs, Indian leopards, golden jackals, Himalayan black bears, and yellow-throated martens.
Wildlife in Bardia National Park (Responsible Adventure)
Shivapuri Nagarjun
This park includes religious sites to visit, as well as several nice trails for hiking. Among the local residents there are Indian leopards, jungle cats, large Indian civets, golden jackals, Himalayan black bears, yellow-throated martens, Indian mongoose, Himalayan gorals, wild boars, rhesus monkeys, Hanuman langurs, Indian crested porcupines, Indian hares, orange-bellied Himalayan squirrels, clouded leopards, leopard cats, and rhesus macaques.
Elephant Ride in the Park (Encounter Asia)
Shuklaphanta
Visitors will not want to miss the chance to see swamp deer (also called barasingha) and hog deer herds grazing throughout the reserve. Yet they’ll also get the chance to see leopards, rhinos, tigers, and bengal foxes roaming about.
Rara
The main attraction at this park is definitely Rara Lake, which provides stunning landscape views for visitors. Fauna located within the reserve include musk deer, red pandas, snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, Indian leopards, jackals, Himalayan tahr, yellow-throated marten, otters, and gray langur.
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Mary Ann
1 day ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
3 days ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
5 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
1 week ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
