Bardia National Park
About
Bardia is the largest national park in the lowlands of Nepal, in the far west, and one of the quietest. Sal forest, grassland and the wide braided channels of the Karnali river are home to tigers, rhinos, wild elephants, deer and hundreds of kinds of birds. There are few visitors and few jeeps. We stay at Thakurdwara, at the edge of the park, walk the forest with a licensed park guide, wait by the river in the early morning and visit the Tharu villages around.
A private tour
A few days that belong to you
Namaste, and welcome. Just your group, your own car and me. You wake in a quiet guest house, walk when the light is good, and rest when you want to. Nobody hurries you to the next stop on someone else's timetable. For these few days, the road is yours.
- Your own car and driver
- It stops for a view, a tea shop or a photo whenever you ask.
- Mornings without an alarm
- Sunrise if you want it, a slow breakfast if you do not.
- One person to ask
- The same guide all the way: for the history, the food, the road and anything that goes wrong.
- Quiet places to sleep
- Small guest houses, chosen for calm rather than size.
- The plan bends to you
- A place left out, a longer stay, a slower day: we decide together as we go.
With warmth, Rujan Neupane
Along the way
What this day is known for.
- One of the best places in Nepal to see a wild tiger, with luck and patience
- The Karnali river and its braided channels
- Wild elephants and rhinos in the grasslands
- Hundreds of kinds of birds
- Tharu villages at the edge of the park
- Far fewer visitors than Chitwan
Day by day, night by night
Where we go, how long on the road, and where you sleep each night.| Day | The day | On the road | The night | Room + meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, drive to ThakurdwaraA flight west to Nepalgunj, then by road to the edge of the park.
|
Flight about 1 hour, then about 2½ to 3 hours | Thakurdwara | Paid at cost |
| Day 2 | Bardia: a forest walkA long walk in the forest and grassland with a licensed park guide, looking for tracks and listening for alarm calls.
|
On foot | Thakurdwara | Paid at cost |
| Day 3 | Bardia: the KarnaliA day by the Karnali river, waiting at places where animals come to drink.
|
Jeep and on foot | Thakurdwara | Paid at cost |
| Day 4 | Bardia: villages and a free afternoonA morning walk, then a Tharu village and the park's breeding centre.
|
On foot | Thakurdwara | Paid at cost |
| Day 5 | Bardia: one more morningA last early walk or jeep drive, then rest.
|
Thakurdwara | Paid at cost | |
| Day 6 | Thakurdwara to KathmanduBy road to Nepalgunj and the flight back.
|
About 3 hours, then the flight | — |
Is this tour for you?
Walking, steps, heat and access, honestly.Not sure? Tell me who is coming, and I'll tell you honestly. Write to me
The honest downsides
What I'd want to know before booking.- You may not see a tiger: most visitors don't.
- Walking in a park with tigers, rhinos and elephants has real risk; we follow the park guide strictly.
- It is far: a flight and a road day each way.
- From April to June it is very hot; in the monsoon much of the park is closed.
More about this tour
Best time to go
February to April for wildlife, October to December for cool days.- GoodJAN
- GoodFEB
- BestMAR
- BestAPR
- HazyMAY
- RainJUN
- RainJUL
- RainAUG
- RainSEP
- GoodOCT
- BestNOV
- GoodDEC
From February the tall grass is cut and burned, so animals are easier to see. December and January mornings are cold and foggy.
Time of day
Festivals worth planning for
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year; I confirm the date when you ask.
Before you go
The small practical things.Visiting with respect
These are living places of worship, not museums.- Keep quiet in the forest and follow the park guide's word near animals.
- Never feed or follow animals for a photograph.
- Carry your rubbish out of the park.
- Ask before photographing people in the villages.
Staying away: 5 nights
You pay me only my guide fee. Rooms and meals are paid at what they actually cost, with nothing added by me.Where your money goes
Every amount, and who receives it. I charge only my guide fee; the rest is paid at cost.| What | Who receives it | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide (me) | Rujan Neupane | My city day rate × days, and the overnight allowance | One rate for 1 to 5 people |
| Car and driver | A local driver | What the driver charges | Paid at cost |
| Hotels and meals | The hotels and restaurants | What they charge | You pay directly; I never add anything |
| Entrance fees | The sites and parks | See my Entrance fees page | Paid at the gate, at cost |
| Park entry permit | The national park | See my Entrance fees page | Official price, paid at cost |
| Licensed park guide for walks inside | Local nature guides | What they charge | Paid at cost |
| Flights Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and back | The airline | The airline's fare | You pay the airline, at cost |
I don't sell packages. I guide, and I help you arrange the rest (rooms, transport, permits) at what it actually costs. If you would like it all put together as one package, ask me: I make one only on your request, and we confirm it by email.
Photo notes
From a guide who is also a photographer.The places in detail
The history and stories behind what you will see.Bardia National Park
Bardia is the largest national park in Nepal’s lowlands, about 968 km², in the far west of the country. It began as a royal hunting reserve, became a wildlife reserve in 1976 and a national park in 1988. Its tiger numbers have grown a lot since then.
Walking in the park
Walks inside the park are with a licensed local park guide, as the park rules require. I come with you as your guide for the whole trip. Most walks are slow and quiet: much of the time is spent waiting.
Fees
The park entry fee is on my Entrance fees page.
My promises
Written down, so you can hold me to them.- No pressureAsk me anything. Asking costs nothing and commits you to nothing, and I will never rush your decision.
- Nothing hiddenEvery cost is written down before you pay anything, and nothing is added later without your agreement.
- Your day, your paceWe stay longer where you want to, and skip what doesn't interest you.
- Reviews as writtenEvery review here is published as the guest wrote it. I don't edit reviews or remove critical ones.
Before you go
What I would read first, from my own guides and tours.Guides to read first
Frequently asked questions
Will I see a tiger in Bardia?
Maybe. Bardia is one of the best places in Nepal for it, but most visitors don't see one. We wait patiently in the right places.
Is Bardia better than Chitwan?
It is quieter, wilder and further. Chitwan is easier to reach and has more facilities.
Is walking in the park safe?
It has real risks. We walk only with a licensed park guide and follow every instruction.
How do we get there?
A flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, then about 2½ to 3 hours by road.
When is the best time?
February to April for wildlife; October to December for cool days.
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- +977 984-3808583
- Phone
- +977 984-3808583
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More than 5 of you? Write to me. I guide up to 5 people at one rate. For a bigger group we can talk it through by email. I reply myself, usually within a day. On the trail there is often no network, so it can take a few days.
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