Due to its remote location in the far west of Nepal, Bardia National Park has preserved the nature of the Terai lowlands almost untouched. Exploring Bardia remains to be an authentic wildlife experience completely undisturbed by the crowds. Bardia safaris are special in another respect. In contrast to most other national parks in South Asia, Bardia can be explored on day-long hikes. Highlights of Bardia safaris are not only the “big three”, tigers, rhinos, elephants, but also the Gangetic rivers dolphins in the Karnali. White-water rafting on this river and visits of villages of indigenous Tharu people are additional rewarding activities.
Location of ThakuRdwara - Gateway to Bardia
Bardia, declared national park in 1988 , is situated in the western part of Nepal’s Terai region. The park covers the northern half of the district of the same name. “Bardia”, by the way, is also transcribed “Bardiya”, the latter spelling is almost as common as the former one. Thakurdwara, the gateway to the national park, is located closer to Delhi (490 km by road) in the west than to Kathmandu (570 km to the east). The next big town, 85 km further east, is Nepalganj next to the Indian border station Rupaidiha. The entire western Terai in between the rivers of Kali and Gandaki, is also known as “Naya Muluk”, which translates “new country”. It had been admistered by British India from 1816 till 1860.
Covering an area of 969 km2, Bardia is actually the largest of Nepal’s lowland national parks, though the much more famous Chitwan is of almost the same size. Karnali, the longest river in Nepal, marks the western border of the park. The northern parts of the lowland park belong to the Sivalik hills, also known as Churia Hills, which are the southernmost chain of foothills of the Himalayas. Bardia is situated in elevations between 125 m in the floodplains and 1441 m in Sukarmala Peak. |
Actually, some of the lower parts of the national park are not prestine forests but renaturalized areas that had previously been used as farm land. Around 70 of the national park is covered with vast Sal tree forests now, which is the natural vegetation form of the Terai lowlands. Hardwood is prevalent in the deciduous forests of the hills, riverine forests occur in the floodplains and on the islands of Karnali river. In some of the grasslands the tall elephant grass can be seen growing. At least 839 species of flora are documented in the park area.
During January and February chances to observe wildlife are lower, because the animals are hiding in the cold winter and fog can reduce sight distances. The monsoon season from mid June to late September should is not recommendable for visits, either. Accordingly, the two best safari seasons are the months of both the northern hemisphere fall, which is of moderate temperatures in the Terai, and northern hemisphere spring, which can be extremely hot and dry as in the entire Gangetic Plains.
During January and February chances to observe wildlife are lower, because the animals are hiding in the cold winter and fog can reduce sight distances. The monsoon season from mid June to late September should is not recommendable for visits, either. Accordingly, the two best safari seasons are the months of both the northern hemisphere fall, which is of moderate temperatures in the Terai, and northern hemisphere spring, which can be extremely hot and dry as in the entire Gangetic Plains.
Wildlife of Bardia
Around 650 faunal species altogether occur in Bardia National Park, of which 59 mammal species have been recorded in Bardia National Park to date. The most common sights are monkeys and deer, mainly spotted dear and sambar and Indian hog deer. However, one deer species occuring in the park is extremely rare: Besides Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, Bardia is one of the last refuges of the very rary swamp dear also known as Barasingha. The largest antelope of Asia, the Nilgai or Blue Bull can be seen at the shores and on the islands of Karnali river.
Nepal’s last surviving population of blackbucks, also known as Indian antelopes, inhabits the Blackbuck Conservation Area to the south of the Bardia National Park. Wild elephants are a relatively rare sight in Bardia National Park and sloth bears stay mostly in the hills. Although there can be no guarantee to see one, tigers are the main reason to opt for Bardia National Park, despite the long tracel distances. It’s a rare event to spot one in Bardia. However, chances might be already above 50% on a two-days safari. Compared to Chitwan, Bardia is the better choice for sighting tigers. Two even rarer cat species were sighted in Bardia. A rusty-spotted cat was recorded for the time in summer 2012. A fishing cat was spotted in the valley of Babai river in winter 2017. In contrast, Chitwan National Park offers much better opportunities to observe one-horned rhinos. Occasionally, rhinos can be sighted in Bardia National Park, too, which still has the second largest Indian rhino population in Nepal. However, there are only around two or three dozens individuals left in Bardia National Park, after significant numbers fell victim to poaching. Prior to the year 2000, the numbers of the rhinoceros population had been much higher, around around five or six dozens, because several indivuals had been relocated from Chitwan to Bardia. Apart from poaching there is another problem, disturbing the wildlife in the park more indirectly, namely cattle from the surrounding villages. Another major attraction of Bardia National Park are Ganges river dolphins, they sometimes can be seen in the Karnali river coming close to the park. This dolphin species can only live in freshwater. As they are almost blind, they hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds. Two crocodile species, namely the Gangegtic gavial, also known as Gharials, and the mugger crocodile, occur in the Karnali river and the adjoining wetlands, too. The park is a rewarding destination for birdlovers, too, as 407 species of birds recorded in Bardia. Large numbers of Bar-headed gees are symbolic of the park. Kingfishers and great hornbills can be seen quite frequently. Silver-eared mesia are quite colourful. One of the critically endangered bird species inhabiting the park is the Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), also known as Bengal bustard. Other threatened species still extant in Bardia are Lesser florican and the Sarus crane. Furthermore, 25 species of reptiles/amphibians and around 125 species of fish have been recorded from Bardia National Park. |
Safari Types and Activities
The best season to visit the Bardia National Park ark is from March to June, the second best option is from October to December.
We highly recommend to spend three full days (four nights) in Bardia, to combine a jeep safari, a full-day jungle walk and further activities such as rafting and visiting a Tharu village. Jeep safaris are available for half-day and full-day safaris, both versions include a ride to the banks of Karnali river. The full-day jeep safaris include a picknick lunch and stop at various watchtowers and drinking spots of animals. Traditional jeep safaris, of course, are the best way to explore a larger area. The highlight of a Bardia wildlife adventure is a jungle walk. Again, half-day and full-day versions of the hikes are on offer. Extensive jungle walks are a unique experience you should not miss when traveling to Bardia, this kind of safari not permitted in most other wildlife parks. Be prepared that you have to wade through streams. Full-day hikes will lead you towards the banks of the Karnali river, too. Such nature walks, of course, have to be guided by experienced rangers, for your own safety and for nature conservation reasons. River rafting or canoeing is the perfect way to observe animals from coming to the river to drink or take a cool bath. This is the best chance to see dolphins or crocodiles. What is called rafting in Bardia, however, is not a white water adventure but actually more like a boat safari. Raftings too are available as both half-day and full-day excursions. Expeditions to some remote destinations in the park require special permissions. Apart from the wildlife experiences, Bardia offers various other kinds of attractions and activities. A small elephant breeding center can be visited in the early morning or in the late afternoon. A crocodile breeding centre is also on offer. The park provides opportunities for sport fishing at the Karnali and Babai rivers. Thakurdwara near the park entrance is surrounded by villages of the indegenous Tharu people. Their villages in Bardia District are less frequented and more authentic than near Chitwan National Park. A Tharu museum and, in the evenings, cultural shows are on offer, too. Tourism and Accommodation
The driving distance from Kathmandu to Bardiya is between 14 and 16 hours. The next airport in Nepalgunj is in about 3 hours driving distance.
Most hotels and guesthouses are based in and near Thakurdwara. Due to wildlife protection regulations, there is no lodge inside the park. But overnight stay is tree houses or at camp sides in the park are available. You will need need mosquito repellents, although malaria and dengue outbreaks do not occur often in this region. You are advised to wear long trousers and green or brown or dark clothes and to avoid white and red colours in particular. |
Bengal Tigers in Nepal’s Terai lowlands
Though reduced to only a few thousands in the wildernes, the Bengal tigers of South Asia form the largest extant population of tigers. Bengal tigers differ from Amur tigers (also known as Siberian tigers) in size and density and colour of coat and also in behaviour. However, on morphological grounds it is debated whether the two populations form separate subspecies. On the other hand, some biologists even consider the Indochinese and Malayan tigers to be distinct subspecies, whereas some count them as the nominate subspecies just as the Bengal tiger. There are taxonomies with only 2 (mainland and Indonesian islands) and others with 5 or 6 different subspecies of tigers.
Chances to spot a tiger on half- or full-day safaris in Bardia National Park are low. But for travelers intending to visit such a remote place, we recommend to spend a longer period anyway. Chances to observe tigers during a 3-days stay at Bardia National parks are as high as 70 to 80 %. Though the actual number of the tiger population is higher in Nepal’s other and more famous and more popular lowland national park, Chitwan, there are better opportunities to observe tigers in Bardia National Park.
The best time to see tigers is May and the first half of June, which marks the end of the dry season prior to the start of the monsoons in Mid June. Due to the heat and the lack of water deer and other prey of tigers are forced to come to the few remaining drinking spots. This is why tigers lying in wait are more frequently seen in the same areas in the hottest and driest period of the year, too.
Actually, the Terai districts of Nepal, where both large lowland national parks are situated, together with the neigbouring northern regions of India’s Uttar Pradesh state and the western parts of Uttarakhand State form one of the three hotspots of the Indian tiger population. Corbett National Park to the west of Nepal has the largest tiger population at all. The other two tiger hotspots of South Asia are the jungle areas of central India and the West Ghats along the Arabian Sea. Outside these three hotspots, Sundarban wetlands at the Indian-Bangladeshi Border and Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan have significant tiger populations, too.
Bardia National Park together with the neighboring Banke National Park to the east (newly established around Nepalgunj in 2010) forms a Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) covering more than 2.200 km2, of which two thirds are protected zone. Two the south of Banke National Park is another sanctuary, Suhelwa, which is on Indian territory.
The best time to see tigers is May and the first half of June, which marks the end of the dry season prior to the start of the monsoons in Mid June. Due to the heat and the lack of water deer and other prey of tigers are forced to come to the few remaining drinking spots. This is why tigers lying in wait are more frequently seen in the same areas in the hottest and driest period of the year, too.
Actually, the Terai districts of Nepal, where both large lowland national parks are situated, together with the neigbouring northern regions of India’s Uttar Pradesh state and the western parts of Uttarakhand State form one of the three hotspots of the Indian tiger population. Corbett National Park to the west of Nepal has the largest tiger population at all. The other two tiger hotspots of South Asia are the jungle areas of central India and the West Ghats along the Arabian Sea. Outside these three hotspots, Sundarban wetlands at the Indian-Bangladeshi Border and Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan have significant tiger populations, too.
Bardia National Park together with the neighboring Banke National Park to the east (newly established around Nepalgunj in 2010) forms a Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) covering more than 2.200 km2, of which two thirds are protected zone. Two the south of Banke National Park is another sanctuary, Suhelwa, which is on Indian territory.
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