Nepal Wildlife Safari tour
Nepal Wildlife Safari tour
Nepal Wildlife Safari tour
13 Days Starting and ending in 27.717245,85.323960
Visiting: Nepal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
135
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
8-75
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Chitwan National Park, and the less visited Bardia National Park are beautiful regions full of varied, colourful wildlife. The jungle & river landscapes are home to many birds and animals including the majestic Indian elephant, endangered one-horned rhino, and the ever-elusive Bengal tiger. This tour combines exciting safari activities in both of these parks, with a walk through the Nagarjun Forest Reserve in the Kathmandu Valley, and the remote Shreeban Nature Camp allowing you plenty of time to immerse yourself in and experience Nepal's natural beauty and to discover its wildlife.
You begin in Kathmandu with a fully guided tour of this fascinating, sprawling city. The tour includes Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, and some time to stop at the many Stupas and Bahals that lie concealed within the city. You also take a nature walk through the Nagarjun Forest Reserve on the side of the valley, where you should see deer and monkeys, and enjoy some of the best birdwatching in the valley.
From Kathmandu a short drive and a couple of hours walking (jeeps available) brings you to the Shreeban Nature Camp, from where you'll get spectacular mountain views, and a chance for more birdwatching and easy trekking through the surrounding farmland and forest.
We then leave the mountains and descend into the plains and forests of Nepal's lowland Terai, to Chitwan National Park. Once at the park, you have a range of activities including a jeep safari into the park, and a canoe ride and jungle walk along the Rapti River to view the wildlife, While getting much busier and a little commercialised now, Chitwan remains the best place in Nepal to see the endangered one-horned rhino.
You then leave Chitwan and drive through the Terai to Bardia National Park where you have the next three full days to enjoy a range of activities in and around the park. The largest of Nepal's lowland Terai National Parks (and our favourite!), Bardia is mixture of riverine and sal forests, and is home to a large and diverse selection of wildlife. Here you will take time to explore the park and its colourful inhabitants by jeep and on foot, and also take to the water for a gentle rafting trip to view the wildlife from another perspective. The bird watching is excellent, and you have the best chance of seeing tigers in the whole of Nepal.
From Bardia we fly back to Kathmandu where you have some free time for a little more sightseeing or to stroll around the many shops and stall in search of a few souvenirs.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Kathmandu: Transfer To Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kathmandu - 3-star hotel
We meet you at Kathmandu airport and transfer you from airport to hotel. Introduction to local area.
Single room supplement (NPTMWS)
Day 2: Kathmandu City Tour
Accommodation Name: Kathmandu - 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you will be given a pre-tour briefing before enjoying a full tour of Kathmandu. You will visit the many Temples and Palaces of Durbar Square as well as the impressive Swayambunath stupa which perched on a hilltop, offers incredible views over the city and the rest of the Kathmandu Valley. Take your time to explore the many market stalls before enjoying dinner at one of the many varied restaurants in town.
Day 3: Nagarjun Forest
Accommodation Name: Kathmandu - 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you'll take a nature walk through the Nagarjun Forest Reserve on the side of the valley, where you should see deer and monkeys, and enjoy some of the best birdwatching in the area.
Day 4: Drive To Shreeban Nature Camp: Nature Walk
Accommodation Name: Dhading - Shreeban Nature Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Kathmandu we have a short drive and a couple of hours walking (jeeps available) brings you to the Shreeban Nature Camp, from where you'll get spectacular mountain views, and a chance for more birdwatching and easy trekking through the surrounding farmland and forest.You'll have the remainer of the afternoon and a little time tomorrow morning for activities or excursions including a visit to a local Nalang Village for a unique introduction to the culture of the region. Rockclimbing, and hanggliding can also be arranged for you if you are a much more active person.
Day 5: Drive To Chitwan National Park
Accommodation Name: Chitwan - safari lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We have a leisurely drive today (approx. 6 hours) through the Terai region to Chitwan National Park. We'll make plenty of stops en-route.
Day 6: Chitwan National Park
Accommodation Name: Chitwan - safari lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend today exploring Chitwan National Park in search of, amongst others, tiger, rhino and wild elephant. We'll take a river ride by canoe, a jeep safari and a walking safari, and we’ll also enjoy a village tour to see first hand the traditional day to day life of the locals.
Day 7: Drive To Bardia National Park
Accommodation Name: Bardia - Bardia Eco Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, you start the journey to Bardia National Park through the low-lying Terai region. We like to make the journey leisurely, stopping off at many points of interest and enjoying some snacks and lunch along the way. Once we arrive in Bardia, you are transferred by jeep to your lodge inside the park. The evening is free to take in your surroundings.
Day 8-10: Bardia National Park: Park Activities
Accommodation Name: Bardia - Bardia Eco Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The tranquil Bardia Park is situated in the far west of Nepal's Terai region and is home to a variety of wonderful wildlife. During your 3 full days inside the Park, you will experience Nepal's largest wildlife sanctuary by jeep safari and guided jungle walks. There is also the chance to visit some of the local people and take part in cultural shows designed to help you understand their way of life. Your evenings are spent relaxing at your lodge inside the park.
Day 11: Fly To Kathmandu From Nepalgani
Accommodation Name: Kathmandu - 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we travel to Nepalgani to take a flight back to Kathmandu. After arriving you will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is free.
Day 12: Kathmanudu: Free Day
Accommodation Name: Kathmandu - 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is kept as a free day, leaving you to enjoy Kathmandu at your own pace. There are many options available including visits to the nearby towns of Patan and Bhaktapur as well as the chance to experience an Everest mountain flight.
Everest Mountain Flight
Day 13: Kathmandu: Transfer To Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your time is free today until we transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
6* -
Included:
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- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- Private car, minivan or minibus
- All transfers, including 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
- Internal flight from Nepalganj to Kathmandu
- Services of a lo
What's Not Included
-
Excluded:
-
- International flights (available on request)
- Visa fees (available on arrival for most nationalities)
- Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks and other
More Info
Chitwan National Park, and the less visited Bardia National Park are beautiful regions full of varied, colourful wildlife. The jungle & river landscapes are home to many birds and animals including the majestic Indian elephant, endangered one-horned rhino, and the ever-elusive Bengal tiger. This tour combines exciting safari activities in both of these parks, with a walk through the Nagarjun Forest Reserve in the Kathmandu Valley, and the remote Shreeban Nature Camp allowing you plenty of time to immerse yourself in and experience Nepal's natural beauty and to discover its wildlife. You begin in Kathmandu with a fully guided tour of this fascinating, sprawling city. The tour includes Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, and some time to stop at the many Stupas and Bahals that lie concealed within the city. You also take a nature walk through the Nagarjun Forest Reserve on the side of the valley, where you should see deer and monkeys, and enjoy some of the best birdwatching in the valley. From Kathmandu a short drive and a couple of hours walking (jeeps available) brings you to the Shreeban Nature Camp, from where you'll get spectacular mountain views, and a chance for more birdwatching and easy trekking through the surrounding farmland and forest. We then leave the mountains and descend into the plains and forests of Nepal's lowland Terai, to Chitwan National Park. Once at the park, you have a range of activities including a jeep safari into the park, and a canoe ride and jungle walk along the Rapti River to view the wildlife, While getting much busier and a little commercialised now, Chitwan remains the best place in Nepal to see the endangered one-horned rhino. You then leave Chitwan and drive through the Terai to Bardia National Park where you have the next three full days to enjoy a range of activities in and around the park. The largest of Nepal's lowland Terai National Parks (and our favourite!), Bardia is mixture of riverine and sal forests, and is home to a large and diverse selection of wildlife. Here you will take time to explore the park and its colourful inhabitants by jeep and on foot, and also take to the water for a gentle rafting trip to view the wildlife from another perspective. The bird watching is excellent, and you have the best chance of seeing tigers in the whole of Nepal. From Bardia we fly back to Kathmandu where you have some free time for a little more sightseeing or to stroll around the many shops and stall in search of a few souvenirs.
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:
Nepal: Additional vaccinations: Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Bhutan: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Tibet: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. In general the lowland regions Bhutan are considered malarial zones, while higher altitudes including central Bhutan including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang are not. Nepal is considered mainly low risk with prophylactics not normally required.
Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation may be required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate with you and to hand if necessary. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have. -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.
Many nationals can obtain their Nepalese visa in Kathmandu airport upon arrival (including UK, EU, US, CA, AU, NZ, SA citizens). The costs for a single entry visa are currently:
- up to 15 days - US$ 25
- 16 to 30 days - US$ 40
- 31 to 90 days - US$ 100
An additional $20 fee is charged to convert these into a multiple entry visa which will be needed for any tours returning to Nepal after visiting Bhutan or Tibet.
The visa is obtained in the immigration area at the point where your passport is stamped. Forms to fill in are available in this immigration hall and may also be given out on your flight (if so, do fill them in before you land as it will reduce your queuing time). You will also need to fill in an arrivals card. Once your paperwork is completed, head to the immigration desk and hand over your forms, 2 passport photos, your visa fee and passport. The visa fees are set in US Dollars, but you can also pay in other currencies, but don't rely on getting given change.
Passport Photos: You will need two passport photos for your Nepal visa if you are obtaining it on arrival. If you are doing any trekking, rafting or visiting a National Park (i.e. on many of of our tours), you should bring extras, as some of the permits we may need to get require these. Please bring at least 4 passport photos with you - they will always come in useful later if you don't need them all. -
What currencies are required for this tour?
The local currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NRs). There are a banks and several ATMs in Kathmandu where you can use a debit/credit card to withdraw cash (Visa, Mastercard), but these are not generally available out of Kathmandu or Pokhara. There are numerous money change shops in the main towns. Travellers cheques can be changed in some banks in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but not elsewhere.
You should ensure you have all the Nepalese rupees you think you will need before you leave for any trekking or visiting any more remote areas (including Bardia National Park). Try to obtain as many small denomination notes as possible, as higher value notes can be very hard to change in remote areas. You can pay with US Dollars cash in some places but should not rely on this. -
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.