Chitwan National Park Safari

duration 2 nights / 3 days
from usd 360 All inclusive
difficulty Easy

Activities are optional. None require prior experience or fitness level
activity Private jeep safari, Walking safari, Wildlife watching, Canoeing, Cultural experiences

trip overview

Chitwan National Park is spread over 360 square miles in subtropical lowlands and consists of forests, river valleys and hills. With more than 700 species of wildlife including the endangered Bengal tiger and the one-horned rhino, the park offers plenty of excitement for wildlife enthusiasts or adventure-seekers.

Transportation: Private vehicle from/to Kathmandu (7-hour drive each way)

Detailed itinerary

day 01
Drive to Chitwan National Park and Cultural Immersion

Travel Day with Village Experience

Depart Kathmandu early morning for the 7-hour drive to Chitwan in a private vehicle. The scenic route passes through Nepal’s countryside with views of hills and forests.

Arrive in Sauraha around midday and check into your jungle resort. After lunch and a briefing on park activities and safety, spend the afternoon exploring local culture.

Tharu Village Tour (2 hours): Experience authentic village life with a traditional ox cart ride through Tharu settlements. Visit traditional mud houses and learn about indigenous customs.

Tharu Cultural Show (1 hour): Watch traditional stick dances, folk songs, and cultural performances by local community members.

Evening dinner at resort followed by briefing about safari activities.
- Accommodation: Jungle Resort
- Meal: Lunch, Dinner
day 02
Full Day Wildlife Safari Experience

Intensive Park Exploration

Early Morning Canoe Safari (1.5 hours): Silent river journey along Rapti River to spot mugger crocodiles, kingfishers, egrets, and possibly Gangetic dolphins.

Walking Safari (3 hours): Guided trek through dense sal forests and grasslands with two licensed nature guides. Track animal footprints and search for wildlife including one-horned rhinos, spotted deer, and wild boar.

Return to resort for brunch and rest period.

Elephant Breeding Center Visit (1 hour): Educational tour about conservation efforts (no riding activities).

Private Jeep Safari (3 hours): Deep jungle exploration in 4WD vehicle with experienced guide. Search for Bengal tigers, sloth bears, leopards, and rhinos. Tiger sightings occur approximately 2-3 times per year.

Evening sunset viewing from Rapti River bank, followed by dinner.
- Accommodation: Resort
- Meal: Light breakfast, Brunch, Dinner
day 03
Bird Watching and Departure

Final Safari and Return

Bird Watching Tour (2 hours): Early morning expedition to spot some of Chitwan’s 500+ bird species including hornbills, peacocks, and woodpeckers.

After breakfast, enjoy final jungle walk or leisure time at resort.

Departure: Travel back to Kathmandu via private vehicle (7-hour journey), arriving early evening.
- Meal: Breakfast

What's Included

Private vehicle transportation Kathmandu-Chitwan-Kathmandu
2 nights accommodation in jungle resort (twin-sharing basis)
All meals during Chitwan stay (1 lunch, 2 dinners, 1 brunch, 1 breakfast)
Licensed nature guides for all park activities
Chitwan National Park entry permits.
All safari activities: canoe safari, walking safari, jeep safari, bird watching
Tharu village tour and cultural show
Elephant breeding center visit
Sun hat and t-shirt souvenirs
All government taxes and official expenses

What's Not Included

Meals in Kathmandu
Additional accommodation before or after the trip
Alcohol, bottled water, and personal snacks
Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry)
Travel insurance (compulsory for park activities)

Accommodation during the Trip

Chitwan Jungle Resort

You will stay at a jungle resort in Sauraha with twin-sharing rooms (two beds per room).

Single Supplement : If you prefer to have a private room to yourself instead of sharing with another traveler, you can pay an additional cost.

Optional Add-On Services

Kathmandu Hotel: We can book hotel accommodation in Kathmandu for you on request. This is available as an add-on service for extra cost.

Airport Pickup/Dropoff: Airport transfer service between Tribhuvan International Airport and your hotel in Kathmandu is available for extra cost on request.

All rooms include private bathrooms, hot showers, and basic amenities. The resort has a restaurant, WiFi, and other standard facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm already doing a trek in Nepal - why should I add Chitwan to my trip?

After weeks in the mountains, Chitwan offers a completely different side of Nepal! It's the perfect way to unwind with wildlife instead of altitude, and you'll experience the lowland Terai culture that's totally different from mountain communities.
I'm pretty exhausted after trekking - is this going to be physically demanding?

Not at all! Chitwan is the perfect recovery experience. The walking safari is just 3 hours on flat terrain - a gentle stroll compared to mountain trails. Most activities are actually quite relaxing.
Do I need any special vaccinations for the jungle that I wouldn't need for trekking?

Check with your doctor about malaria prophylaxis since you'll be in lowland areas. The vaccination requirements are generally the same, but the mosquito risk is higher in the jungle.
Will I be able to stay in touch with family during the safari?

WiFi is available at the resort, but don't expect mountain-quality internet. Mobile coverage can be spotty during jungle activities, so let people know you might be offline for a few hours.
What if the weather's bad - will activities still happen?

Light rain actually makes for great wildlife viewing! Activities only get canceled in severe weather, and if that happens, you'll get rescheduling options.
I only have a few extra days - is 3 days enough to make it worthwhile?

Absolutely! Three days gives you time to see rhinos, experience Tharu culture, and enjoy multiple safari activities. It's the perfect length to add wildlife to your Nepal adventure without feeling rushed.
Can I extend my stay if I fall in love with the jungle?

Yes! Additional nights can be arranged on request. Many people end up wanting to stay longer once they experience the peaceful jungle vibe after intense mountain adventures.

Essential Trip Information

Park entry permits required and checked at multiple checkpoints
Comfortable closed shoes essential for walking safaris due to terrain and insects
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed as animals roam freely
Best season: October to April for optimal weather and wildlife viewing
All activities conducted with licensed nature guides for safety and conservation
Camera equipment recommended (limited charging facilities in jungle)
Insect repellent strongly recommended for all outdoor activities

Packing Checklist

Essential Clothing:

Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with good grip (mandatory for walking safaris)
Lightweight, breathable long-sleeved shirts and pants in neutral colors (khaki, olive, brown)
Wide-brimmed hat or cap for sun protection
Light rain jacket or poncho (weather dependent)
Warm layer for early morning activities (October-March)
Quick-dry clothing for humid conditions

Personal Items:

High SPF sunscreen (30+ recommended)
Strong insect repellent with DEET
Personal first aid kit with basic medications
Flashlight/headlamp with extra batteries
Binoculars for wildlife and bird watching
Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
Power bank for device charging
Personal water bottle

private dates
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We give you the power to choose the departure date that suits your group best. A private trip is a perfect solution if you can’t find a published departure date that you and your companions agree on. You can set up a private departure for most of the trips we offer.

Travellers	PRICING FROM (USD)
1	480
2-3	350
4-9	310

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As one of the core guiding principles for Mountain Kick, we always give back to the mountain community in any way we can as a means of gratitude. The people who live in the Himalayas and share their homes with us deserve to have all their little problems fixed which seem very basic for outsiders but are commonplace in rural Nepal. The people lack proper access to healthcare, sanitation and education but a little effort from travellers goes on a long way to solve these issues. Mountain Kick has made it its corporate social responsibility to help improve the living standards of the local community. We make donations to their cause, organize social campaigns and programs and also have a few trips designed to mix a little volunteer work in your holiday.