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JUNGLE
SAFARI'S
Nepal
is a land of extreme contrasts in climate and geography. It has a unique
topography ranging from lowlands with sub-tropical jungles to arctic conditions
in the Himalayan Highlands. Here one can see wildlife such as the swamp deer,
musk deer, black buck, blue bull, the Royal Bengal tiger, gharial and mugger
crocodiles, and the last of a breed of Asiatic wild buffalo. Royal Chitwan
Nataional Park in the inner Terai of central Nepal is the first and
best-protected area in the Kingdom. Once one if the most famous big game hunting
areas in Asia. Chitwan now offers protection to a large array of mammals such as
the one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, sloth bear ad the gaur (wild bison) as
well more than 400 species of birds.
Higher
in the north between 2000 and 3500 meters lies the Mahabharat range with its oak
crowned crests. The gorgeous multicolored Impeyan Pheasant (Nepal's National
Bird) is also found here with other endangered birds like the koklas and cheer
pheasants. Langtang, Sagarmatha (Everest), Shey-Phoksundo and Rara natioanl
parks are the protected high altitude areas of Nepal.
Chitwan
National Park
The Royal Chitwan National Park, situated 165 km overland or 25 minutes by air
to the south-west of Kathmandu, is one of the richest safari destinations in
Asia. Spread over an area of 932 sq. km, it offers a unique ecosystem
encompassing hills, ox-bow lakes, flood plains, tall grasslands and thick
jungles dominated by sal trees (Shorea Robusta). Chitwan is home to more than 40
species of wild animals, many of which are rare and endangered. They include the
One-Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger, Gharial Crocodile, Wild Elephant,
Four-Horned Antelope, Striped Hyena and the Gangetic Dolphin. Over 450 species
of birds like the Bengal Florican, Giant Hornbill, Sarus Crane, the
Racket-Tailed Drongo and other exotic varieties delight bird watchers. Jungle
activities include sightseeing on elephant-back, canoe rides on the rivers, jeep
drives, jungle walks and village tours.
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2
Nights / 3 Days Safari
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Royal
Bardia National
Park
The Park, a sub-tropical jungle, is thickly forested by sal trees and carpeted
with grass, savannah and riverine vegetation. The Churia hill range, the west,
borders the north by the Karnali River while the Babai River cuts its course
almost through the middle of the park. Considered as one of the most picturesque
national parks in Asia, it teems with rich and diverse flora ad fauna.
The
park is home to more than 30 different mammals, including the langur and rhesus
monkeys, civets, hyenas, wild dogs, sloth bears, otters, blue bulls, deer and
wild boars. It is a regenerated habitat for endangered animals like the tiger,
rhinoceros, wild elephant (the park harbors the biggest wild tusker in Asia) and
black buck. Gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles, the great game fish-masheer and
the Gangetic dolphin cavort in the river waters. The unique birds which number
over 350 species include cormorants, egrets, storks, gees3ee, jungle fowls,
kingfishers and endangered species such as the Bengal florican, Lesser florican,
silver-eared mesia and the saurus crane thus making the park truly a bird
watchers paradise.
Many
of the forest tracks throughout the park also offer excellent game viewing. At
Bardia National Park, we do just that.
Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve:
On the flood plains of the Sapta Koshi in Saptari and Sunsari district of
eastern Nepal lies this reserve. It covers 175sq. km and it was established in
1976. Last surviving population (about 100) of wild buffalo are found there
besides hog deer, spotted deer and blue bull. This reserve also assists the
local economy by providing fishing permits and collection of edible fruits and
ferns in seasons. Two hundred and eighty species of birds have been recorded
there and the endangered Gharial, crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been
recorded in Koshi River. Numerous of water-holes and marshes make this one of
the finest breeding areas in Nepal. The grasslands support an important
population of the Asiatic wild buffalo.
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