Lobuche Peak Climbing
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Bardia National Park Safari
The best place in Nepal to spot a wild Bengal tiger
Overview
Bardia National Park, in the remote far-western Terai of Nepal, is the country's largest and most pristine wildlife reserve and offers the best chance of spotting a wild Bengal tiger in Nepal. The park covers 968 sq km of sal forest, riverine forest and grassland along the Karnali river, and is home to around 53 tigers, 125 one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, gangetic dolphins, gharial crocodiles and more than 400 species of birds.
Unlike the more popular Chitwan National Park, Bardia sees only a fraction of the visitors, making for a much more wild and uncrowded safari experience. The park's flagship experience is the tiger-tracking jungle walk, where you follow pugmarks and alarm calls through the grassland with an expert naturalist - Bardia has one of the highest tiger sighting rates in Asia.
Our 4-day package includes a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, jeep transfers to the lodge, full-board accommodation at a comfortable jungle lodge, jeep safaris, jungle walks, a canoe ride on the Karnali river and a visit to a local Tharu village. Rated Easy and suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Duration
4 Days / 3 Nights
Max Altitude
1,000 m (Churia hills)
Difficulty
Easy
Group Size
2 - 10 travellers
Best Season
October to March
Accommodation
Jungle lodge
Wildlife
53 tigers, 125 rhinos, elephants, 400+ birds
Start/End
Nepalgunj / Nepalgunj
Trip highlights
Best tiger-sighting opportunity in Nepal - around 53 Bengal tigers in the park
Jungle walk tracking tigers on foot with expert naturalist
Jeep safari deep into the pristine sal forest and grassland
Canoe ride on the Karnali river to spot gangetic dolphins and gharial crocodiles
Largest population of wild elephants in Nepal
Visit a traditional Tharu village and cultural program
Far fewer tourists than Chitwan - true wilderness experience
Comfortable jungle lodge with full board meals
Itinerary
4 days1
Day 1: Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and drive to Bardia 152m
Take a 1-hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in the western Terai. On arrival, take a 2-hour jeep drive north to the edge of Bardia National Park and check in to your jungle lodge. Afternoon orientation and short village walk.
Highlights
Nepalgunj flight, jungle lodge
Bring light cotton clothes for the warm Terai.
2
Day 2: Full-day jeep safari and tiger tracking 152m
Take a full-day 4WD jeep safari into the core of Bardia National Park, with a packed lunch. Your naturalist guide will look for fresh tiger tracks and alarm calls, then position the vehicle for the best chance of a sighting. Other wildlife includes rhinoceros, wild elephants, swamp deer, sambar, hog deer and sloth bear.
Highlights
Jeep safari, tiger tracking, 53 tigers in park
Be patient - tigers are often seen in the late afternoon.
3
Day 3: Jungle walk on foot and Karnali river canoe 152m
The flagship Bardia experience: a guided jungle walk tracking tigers on foot. Follow pugmarks and alarm calls through the grassland with an armed naturalist - the thrill of encountering wildlife on foot is unmatched. In the afternoon, take a canoe ride on the Karnali river to spot gangetic dolphins and gharial crocodiles.
Highlights
Jungle walk, tiger on foot, Karnali canoe, dolphins
Follow your guide instructions strictly on the jungle walk.
4
Day 4: Bird watching and return to Kathmandu 1,400m
Early morning bird-watching walk in the lodge grounds and along the park boundary - Bardia has over 400 species of birds including the rare Bengal florican. After breakfast, drive back to Nepalgunj and fly to Kathmandu.
Highlights
Bird watching, return flight to Kathmandu
Bring binoculars - Bardia is a paradise for birders.
Elevation profile
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in a private vehicle
- All ground transportation in a private vehicle
- 2 or 3 nights jungle resort accommodation
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the tour
- Licensed naturalist guide for all activities
- All jungle safari activities as per itinerary
- Chitwan National Park entry fees
- Government taxes and service charges
- All domestic flights Kathmandu-Nepalgunj return
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Beverages and bottled drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Trip options
Choose the option that suits you best.
Extra services
Add extras to your trip. Select quantities in the booking form.
Airport Pickup
Private vehicle airport transfer each way
$35
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive trekking insurance covering helicopter rescue up to 6,000 m
$145
Kathmandu Sightseeing Day
Full-day guided tour of Kathmandu Valley UNESCO sites
$75
Extra Night in Kathmandu
Additional night at 4-star hotel with breakfast
$75
Meet your guides
👤
Bikash Magar
Safari Guide
<p>Bikash grew up on the edge of Bardia National Park and has guided safaris for over a decade. He is one of the few guides who has consistently tracked the Bengal tiger on foot in Bardia.</p>
Departure dates
Nov 20, 2026 Nov 23
Seats: 8/10
Guaranteed
$420
Dec 18, 2026 Dec 21
Seats: 6/10
Guaranteed
$420
Jan 15, 2027 Jan 18
Seats: 3/10
Guaranteed
$420
Feb 12, 2027 Feb 15
Seats: 2/10
Guaranteed
$420
Pricing
Per person
$420
Based on 1 adult
Children (under 12)$294
InfantsFree
Group discounts
Automatically applied at checkout:
5+ travelers
-5%
8+ travelers
-8%
10+ travelers
-10%
12+ travelers
-12%
Early bird: book 60+ days ahead for extra 10% off, 90+ days for 15% off.
Route map
🗺
Map coordinates not set for this trip.
🟢 Start point: Nepalgunj
🔴 End point: Nepalgunj
🟠 Trek route
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Frequently asked questions
What are the chances of seeing a tiger in Bardia?
Bardia has one of the highest tiger-sighting rates in Asia, with around 53 Bengal tigers in the park. On a typical 3-night stay with full-day jeep safaris and jungle walks, the chance of a tiger sighting is around 60-70% in the dry season (February to March). This compares very favourably to Chitwan, where the sighting rate is much lower due to denser vegetation and higher visitor numbers.
Is Bardia better than Chitwan?
For serious wildlife enthusiasts, yes. Bardia is larger, wilder, sees far fewer tourists, and has a higher tiger sighting rate. The jungle walks in Bardia are particularly renowned - you have a real chance of encountering a tiger on foot. Chitwan, on the other hand, is easier to reach, has more comfortable accommodation options, and is better for first-time safari-goers and families with young children.
When is the best time to visit Bardia?
The optimal time is February to April, when the grass has been cut (improving visibility) and water sources are limited (concentrating wildlife around the rivers). October to January is also excellent. The park is best avoided during the monsoon (June to September) when grass is tall and roads are impassable. Note that Bardia can be very hot (40 C+) in April and May.
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Bardia National Park Safari
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