Chitwan National Park (‘Chitwan’ means "in the heart of the jungle’) covers 932 sq. km in the flat lowland region of southern Nepal. It is one of the most important sub-tropical parks on the Indian subcontinent, with populations of more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of the endangered one- horned rhinoceros, tiger, and gharial crocodile, along with many other rare, and common species of wild animals. The estimated population of rhinos is 400. The park also secures populations of endangered species such as gaur, wild elephant, four horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard, and python. Some of the other animals found in the park are sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, sloth deer, common leopard, ratel, palm civet, wild dog, langur, and rhesus monkeys. There are over 450 species of birds in the park. Among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork, and white stork. A few of the common birds seen are peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. The best times for bird watching is in March and December. More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles are found in the park, some of which are the marsh mugger crocodile, cobra, green pit viper and various species of frogs and tortoises. The park is actively engaged in the scientific study of several species of wild flora and fauna. The Chitwan region has had a long history of conservation. For many years it was the royal hunting grounds for the Kings and dignitaries of Nepal, and therefore was not hunted by the general public. It did however, become a favorite spot for big game safari hunters in the late nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth centuries. This was coupled with a surge in local human populations following the development of anti-malaria medicines in the mid-twentieth century. The long-term effect was a drastic decrease in jungle habitat and animal populations in the Chitwan valley as jungles were converted to farmland and big game were hunted and poached to dangerously low numbers. The falling rhino (less than 200) and tiger (less than 30) populations in the present park region, focused attention on the Chitwan region, and in 1963 the southern two-thirds of the park were declared a rhino sanctuary. With sanctuary status, they began the relocation of 22,000 people from the Chitwan valley and a moratorium on hunting. Since 1963 wildlife populations and ecosystems have been rebounding. In 1973, Chitwan became Nepal’s first National Park. The relatively pristine state of the modern park and its unique ecosystems prompted UNESCO to declare the park a World Heritage site in 1984.
Within the park lie the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise gradually towards the east from 150 m to over 800 m elevation. The lower, but more rugged Someshwor hills occupy most of the western portion of the park. The flood plains of Chitwan contain rich alluvial soils. The park boundaries have been delineated by the Narayani and Rapti Rivers in the north and west, and the Reu river and Someshwor hills in the south and south-west. It shares its eastern border with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
The park is influenced by a tropical monsoon climate with relatively high humidity. Winter, spring, and monsoon are the three main seasons. The cool winter season occurs from October to February. Spring begins in March and is soon followed summer that ends in early June. Summer days are typically hot with up to an average 30º C daytime temperature. The monsoon usually begins at the end of June and continues until September. The mean annual rainfall is about 21-50 cm, and during this time of the year rivers are flooded, and most of the roads are virtually impassable.
The Chitwan Valley is characterized by tropical to sub-tropical forest. Roughly 70% of park vegetative cover is sal (shorea robusta) forest, a moist, deciduous vegetation type of the Terai region. The remaining vegetation types include: grassland (20%), riverine forest (70%), and sal with chirpine (pinus roxburghii) (3%) forest, the latter occurring at the tops of the Churia range. The riverine forests consist mainly of khair, sissoo, and simal. The simal has a spiny bark when young and develops buttresses at the bottom in older stages. The grasslands form a diverse and complex community with over 50 species.
Tour Program for Chitwan National Park
From the comforts of one of several Jungle Lodges and/or Tented Camps set in Nepal's famous National parks of Chitwan and Bardia, enjoy an elephant-back safari to look for the rare great one horned rhinoceros, elusive tigers, leopards, crocodiles, bears, many species of deer, monkeys, and countless other rare, exotic animals and birds. Take nature walks to experience a ground-level encounter with the armor-plated, one-horned rhinoceros, and follow tiger tracks through the thick sub-tropical jungles with trained local naturalists. Jeep drives through the park and boat rides down the rivers are also included. Birdwatchers will be awarded with many rare species that make up the 400 plus species recorded in the parks.
Choose from many comfortable jungle lodges and tented camps from which to enjoy the wildlife of the rich natural wonderland situated at the foot of the Himalayan peaks of Nepal.
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01 :
Fly or drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park. After lunch, you can enjoy an elephant-back safari, or a nature walk through the tall elephant grass that is the home of the rare and endangered One-Horned Rhinoceros. In the evening, enjoy a cultural show conducted by Tharu, one of the indigenous community of Terai. You stay overnight at camp or lodge.
Day 02 :
Today you enjoy a full day of safari activities that will include an elephant-back safari, nature walks, canoe or boat ride, jeep drive, elephant bathing, bird watching, etc. as time permits. All outings will be guided by trained local naturalists and guides. Animals and birds to be seen are rhinoceros, crocodiles, bear, monkeys, several species of deer, pythons, peacocks, hornbills, woodpeckers (amongst more than 400 species of birds recorded in the park). If you are lucky, the elusive tiger and leopard may revel themselves to you. One more activity includes walking through Tharu villages. You stay overnight at camp or lodge.
Day 03 :
After breakfast there will be another chance to go out on a safari activity. Then, start drive or flight to Kathmandu.
Itinerary 02 in Detail
Day 01 :
Fly or drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park. After lunch, you can enjoy an elephant-back safari, or nature walk through the tall elephant grass that is the home of the rare and endangered One Horned Rhinoceros. In the evening enjoy a slide show conducted by one of the senior naturalists. You stay overnight at camp or lodge.
Day 02 :
Today you enjoy a full day of safari activities that will include an elephant-back safari, nature walks, canoe or boat ride, jeep drive, elephant bathing, bird watching, etc. as time permits. All outings will be guided by trained local naturalists and guides. Animals and birds to be seen are rhinoceros, crocodiles, bear, monkeys, several species of deer, pythons, peacocks, hornbills, woodpeckers (amongst more than 400 other species of birds recorded in the park.) If you are lucky, the elusive tiger and leopard may reveal themselves to you. One more possible activity includes walking through Tharu villages. You stay overnight at camp or lodge.
Day 03 :
You will have another full day in the park, giving you ample chance to enjoy more outings, or the keen can go on a full-day jungle hike to another part of the park with your tracker guide on a private expedition to look for rare birds and animals.
Day 04 :
After breakfast there will be another chance to go out on a safari activity. Then, start drive or flight to Kathmandu.
These are the popular tours, but if you want to stay longer then that can easily be arranged. Ask us about custom tours!
Mailing Address:
First Environmental Trekking (P.) Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O.Box : 8056
Tel : + 977-1-4417343
+ 977-1- 4424346
Mobile: +977-9851038817
+977-9851022303
Fax : + 977-1-4423855
E-mail : firstentrek@wlink.com.np
http://www.go2trek.com
http://www.firstetrek.com
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