Bardiya National Park

Bardiya National Park is in the Terai region of Nepal.

Understand

Landscape

The park has an area of 968 square kilometers.

Flora and fauna

The park hosts tens of different mammals species and hundreds of different bird species.

Climate

The best season to visit the Bardiya park is from March to June. Though the temperatures are highest during that period (up to and exceeding 42°C), it's the best time of year to see animals (especially tigers) since a lack of water in the jungle drives them to predictable watering holes, and tall grass and other foliage is at a minimum. The rainy season is fromn July to September.

Get in

There are buses from both Pokhara(~12hrs) and Kathmandu(~17hrs) directly to Bardia or to Nepalgunj which is another couple hours by bus from the entrance of the park. Buses from Nepalgunj and other surrounding cities just going by the park can drop you at Ambassa/Aambassa which is another 16km away from the entrance, but any hotel will come pick you up there for free. You can ask to be let off at Kohalpur from buses headed to Nepalgunj and then get a bus from there to Ambassa or directly to the park entrance if you're lucky.

You can fly to Nepalgunj and then follow the instructions above for getting to the park. Hiring a private taxi from Nepalgunj to the park entrance is also possible.

Fees/Permits

The fee for foreigners is 1130rs per day which should be included with any jungle walk/jeep safari/rafting package.

Do

Volunteer. Ask around locally & in the guesthouses.Your might ask to Kumar Khadka, a hotel owner of Bardia Jungle Cottage,who usually organize volunteering at Bardia National Park as well as other parts of Nepal. Mr.B would be a great help here and almost anybody in the village would be able to help out and recommend something or somebody. There are an incredible number of schools between Thakurdwara and the highway junction at Ambassa for such a short distance and English speakers/teachers are obviously always welcomed enthusiastically, generously and with wide, open arms. So, basically just turn up and do the ground work when you arrive. Shouldn't take more than a few days to sort something out.

Any hotel should be able to provide a guided jungle trek. The guide will have lots of useful information and be a pro at spotting animals and directing you through the park.

• Jeep Safari. An all-day excursion through the park by jeep, covering far more area than you could on foot.  edit
• River rafting. See the park as you raft down the river. You may see lots of animal who've come to the river to drink, bathe or cool off.  edit

Eat

Eat and drink in town as much as you can. Some great tea shops in the 'centre' of town (ie the three all next door to each other) over the bridge. Reputedly the best tea in town. All much of a muchness though. Dal Bhaat around 100Rs. Grab a plate of chaana, chola samosas, a chia and watch the village ramble by.

Heading down the road towards the National Park entrance on the right(about 200metres from the shops above) next to the pharmacy and little book shop is another excellent tea shop. Tea, samosas, doughnuts also here.

Shop at the south end of the market (in front of the school and next to the bridge) known to overcharge foreigners. Avoid

Drink

Local alcohol. Rice Wine(roxi) and rice beer(chaang).

Sunset View. Behind elephant breeding centre. Great masala tea, real coffee, ice cold drinks, campfire at night and good tunes.

Sleep

There are some resort which provide tourist accommodation.

Lodging

• Nepal Wildlife Resort, ☎ 977-1-442-6642 ([email protected]), [1]. Unique & Exclusive Nepal Wildlife Resort is situated of the south west Nepal at the best location at Bardia National Park on the bank of one of the tributaries of the Karnali River. It takes 5 minute walk from park headquarter. Nepal Wildlife Resort resides in border with Bardia National Park. It is the only resort which actually overlooks the river and the National Park. Each room has attached bathroom with hot shower and it's own balcony with nice views. Credit cards are also accepted.  edit

• Wild Trak Adventure, ☎ (+997) 9804543477 / (+997) 9748018853 ([email protected]), [2]. Quiet and friendly lodge with nature filled gardens set back from the river bank. Ran by English zoologist/photographer John and his Bardian friend Sitaram. Both are expert guides with a passion for nature who can provide jungle walks, jeep safaris, rafting, trekking expeditions and more. Clean and comfortable accommodation with friendly and welcoming atmosphere.  edit

• Bardia Wildlife Resort Paradise, ☎ 084 692083, [3]. Highly recommended. Great location and the guys and girls here make this a winner  edit

• Mr B's Place, ☎ 974 800 4032, [4]. One of the best choices in Thakurdwara. And one of the few backpacker-friendly places in Bardia. Most places insist of "packages"--Mr. B lets you choose the activities you want to do. And free pick-up from bus station. Even if you decide not to stay here, absolutely stop by for a chat with Mr.B, then grab a coffee(its proper) or a spot of dinner. Ask about the story of Mae Ling.  edit

• Bardia Jungle Cottage Pvt. Ltd., Thakurdwara, Bardia,, ☎ +977-84-402014, [5]. Bardia Jungle Cottage is one the second oldest hotel in Bardia National Park which is located in front of Bardia National Park and is equipped with experts jungle guides. Apart from hotel and wildlife activities Bardia Jungle Cottage also provides tours, trekking, rafting, and other services with its own Trekking company (Anu Treks International P. Ltd) which is located in Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal. $12.  edit

• Jungle base Camp, Thakurdwara, Bardia National Park, ☎ (+977) 84 402007 (+977) 97 48004067, [6]. the guest house jungle base camp is in the quiet tharu village of Thakudwara on the border of the national park. It is a short distance from the park head quarters. Jungle base camp offers a range of accommodation from budget to mid range, and has taken great care in the decoration of the lodge, building each room in a fully traditional Tharu ethnic style. Nice family ambiance from 3 to 12 $ ( 400 to 1100 Nrs).  edit

• Bardia Adventure Resort, Bardia National Park, ☎ 977-084-402023, [7]. Bardia Adventure Resort is one of the choice for quite place, natural surrounding, big garden area, free wi-fi zone, private balcony, having own watchtower(Machan) Bardia adventure resort provide all the activities in the jungle such as Jungle trek, jeep safari, rafting, bird watching, bicycle tour, village tour and camping are organised by professional nature English speaking guide. 12-18 $.  edit

Backcountry

• Anjali's Dolphins resort Pvt. Ltd., Thakurdwara, Bardia,, ☎ +977-9815555900, [8]. Anjali's Dolphins Resort, a new resort where all the cottages are in Tharu style, it is a mix of tradition and luxury. Situated by the river, close to elephant stable it is one of the best location. Anjali's Dolphins resort provide all the activities in the jungle. Jungle trek, jeep safari, rafting and camping are organised by professional nature guide. Apart from hotel and wildlife activities. With Anjali's Dolphins resort, you will also discover the Tharu culture which is linked whith the wildlife. $18.  edit

Get out

Night bus Bardia Tiger Chowk - Kathmandu : 15.30 Night bus Ambassa - Pokhara : 15.00 (Ambassa is 30 minute jeep journey from Bardia - 800-1000 Rs jeep or 09:00 bus from Tiger Chowk to Ambassa)

For more information on buses see the very helpful Krishna Thapa at the bus stand (Tiger Chowk) open mornings and mid-afternoon (984-826-2128)

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