Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. Formerly, It was called ‘Royal Chitwan National Park’. It was established in 1973 and declared the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984 by UNESCO. It covers an area of 932 km sq. And is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan District. In altitude it ranges from about 100 m in the river valleys to 815 m in the Churia Hills.
Narayani-Rapti River System Forms a Natural Boundary
In the north and west of the protected area, the Narayani-Rapti river system forms a natural boundary to human settlements. Neighboring to the east of Chitwan National Park is Parsa Wildlife Reserve; adjacent in the south is the Indian Tiger ReserveValmiki National Park. The rational protected area of 2,075 km2 represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, which covers a 3,549 km2 huge block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.
Home To More Than 500 Asian One-horned Rhinoceros
Chitwan National Park is the home to more than 500 Asian one-horned rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tigers. This is also the home to around 600 plant species, 50 mammals, 526 birds and 49 amphibians and reptiles. For jungle safari Royal Chitwan National park is famous. Here you will travel through open grassland and dense forest on elephant back and while doing this you will come across different wild animals including rhinos, different kind of deer’s, wild boars, and in rare cases, tigers.
Another way you can experience this wild world is by 4 wheel drive jeep. By jeep or elephant back, you can go deep into the heart of the park, viewing some of the rare species of flora and fauna. You can also go on foot in to the park escorted by our well-trained naturalist who will interpret to you the covered secrets of the jungle. You will have a great opportunity to see many species of birds including water fowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails, bar-headed geese, cormorants, woodpeckers, hornbills, peacocks, peahens, floricans, red-headed trogons and many others.
Activity in the Park
Another activity in the park is the boat/canoe trip down the Rapti and the Narayani Rivers. This is one of the more serene ways to explore the area as float downstream with the river’s flow. On the out skirts of Chitwan you can the Tharu community, and see their artistically decorated thatched huts, their typical dance and how they manage life next to the national park. A Chitwan jungle safari is certainly an adventure that the whole family can enjoy.