Tiger Encounter in Bardia National Park is best possibly during the warm months of March, April, and May. However, there is a huge probability of seeing them during the early winter months of September to November. The number of tigers in Nepal increased from around 121 in 2009 to 235 in 2018.
Nepal is currently the first nation to double its Tiger population. Since 2010, Bardia National Park of Nepal has doubled its tiger population, earning the TX2 Award 2022. Which is going from 121 to 355 adult tigers in 2022. The increasing number is positive news for all wildlife enthusiasts. This increment also gives us a lifetime opportunity to visit these majestic creatures in their natural state and innate habitat.
Together with the adjacent 550 sq km Banke National Park, Bardia National Park’s 968 sq km now forms one of the most significant protected tiger habitats in the world, with 125 plus adult tigers in Bardia alone. While this is less than Chitwan, you probably stand a much better chance of seeing one here if you put in the hours at one of the ‘hotspots’ for tiger sightings. These hotspots are all explored and discovered by our team. All the Tiger Encounter’s guides know these places well and you will certainly be taken to them on a safari. When you arrive, be ready to surprise to find a large troop of tiger spotters already in position.
Tiger Encounter in Bardia National Park is the tiger tracking tour in Nepal’s largest national park and most undisturbed wilderness-protected area in Terai. The best time of the year to see the tiger is February to May and the best tactic is to sit and wait at one of the hotspots. Don’t forget to bring binoculars (Tiger Encounter has enough binoculars), a telephoto lens for your camera, and maybe a book to while away the hours. Raft trips may also stop at one or more hotspots en route, although this limits your time at them.
Tiger Encounter in Bardia National Park trip itineraries are customizable; according to your choice & the number of days you want to stay. Simply, Contact Us
Encounter everything that you've read and watched on the internet about the tranquil beauty of Nepal and the warm hospitality of the Nepalese. Flying through the beautiful mountain view and thickly wooded hills and plains, you will land in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Ensuring your landing at the airport, our office representative with your nameplate or office name signboard will welcome you with the Nepalese greeting word "Namaste" and escort you to the hotel in Thamel.
Once checked in, get refreshed and relax with a welcome drink followed by a briefing for the preparation of the tour in the following days, and to answer your questions and queries if any. In the evening, you can stroll around the narrow lively streets of Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist hub. Enjoy your first meal in a variety of restaurants offering different cuisines with live music playing along.
Early morning fly to Nepalgunj, This one-hour flight will take you to the city in the Terai Region. After landing at Nepalgunj, drive to Bardia National Park (2 / 3 hours) by private transport. Upon arrival, a welcome drink will be served and a short briefing on the program and our facilities, and rooms will be assigned.
In the evening take a village tour to learn more about the indigenous community's fascinating culture and lifestyles. Rejuvenate yourselves by viewing the sunset over the Karnali River and sipping a beverage of your choice.
Bardia is a National park with a large territory of Royal Bengal Tigers. Tigers move around all over the park and lots of tiger evidence can be tracked. However, staking out some of the locations where tigers are often spotted increases the possibilities.
This day of the journey will be a thrilling experience since you will be walking to three different tiger territories. These places explored by our team can be covered on foot and are famous tiger tracking spots of Bardia National Park.
We will dedicate one more day to tiger tracking. On this day you will be driving on an open-top jeep to another famous tiger tracking site inside the park. You will drive towards a watchtower at the Balcony you will be able to see out over the grasslands. There are huge possibilities that you might spot a distant herd or a single tiger leaving the long grass for a drink at the river.
We also explore some other available excellent habitats for tigers and other wild animals.
If you become unable to spot tigers on day 3 or day 4, you will repeat the activity on this day. However, if you have successful tracking on previous days, then you can be involved in other activities.
Or, Rafting inside the National Park
A downstream drift in an inflatable raft is a relaxing way to experience the park, as well as giving you a chance at spotting wildlife. A typical drift starts on the Karnali River, just above the Chisapani Bridge, and turns to lift into one of its branches, the Geruwa River, which marks the park’s westernmost boundary. Stopping for lunch, you get to walk around the sandy riverbank where you can observe the heavy traffic of animal footprints, or make deeper forays into the jungle, including tiger hotspots. Crater marks of elephants and rhinos are crisscrossed with perfectly imprinted tiger pugmarks and delicate monkey and deer prints. Even if you don’t spot anything, the journey is so peaceful and picturesque that it is its own reward. This is not white-water rafting, although there are some gentle dips. Given the crocodiles in the river, swimming is not advised, as several locals have unfortunately discovered.
On your last day at Bardia National Park, you will be entertained by the local Tharu Community with Tharu cultural dance at the hotel premises.
Note: If we don’t see any tigers these days then we will move to another tiger territory. Similarly, our days can be increased this way until we finally see a tiger.
After this wonderful trip, you will drive back to Nepalgunj and fly to Kathmandu.
Once you reach Kathmandu we will check you in at a nice and cozy hotel around the Thamel area. Self-exploring the narrow streets of this tourist hub for souvenir shopping and drinks is a good way to spend the rest of your day. Later in the evening, we will take you out for a farewell dinner and listen to your wildlife tour experiences.
Today, you will depart Nepal with everlasting beautiful memories and experiences. Our representative will meet you at your hotel and will drop you at the airport according to your flight schedule to bid farewell. It is good to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your departure to complete the airport check-in on time.
Tiger Encounter hopes to take you to another exciting wildlife safari in Nepal soon. If you want to return to Nepal for yet another tour, contact us to schedule the greatest adventures in a prompt and easiest way.
Note: During monsoons (End of June / July to August) Jeep safaris are not conducted by park authorities. Alternate activities are provided during this period.
Bardia National park lies in the southwest part of Nepal. Its 968 sq km of the area makes it the largest national park in the Terai region of Nepal. With the crest of the Siwalik range on the north, Karnali River and its tributaries on the south, forest, cultivated land, less populated villages, and Mahendra highway on its south and east the park provides a large undisturbed area of surroundings for a large number of rare species.
What to Bring:
We will meet pickup you from Internatinal Airport:
We organized Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) airport pick-up and drop service. Upon your arrival, you are welcomed and greeted at your arrival gate (Holding your name on the company pamphlet- Tiger Encounter) by our representative member from a company, then transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. For departure transfer, we will come to pick you up at your hotel in Kathmandu and take you to the airport for your international flight.
As per our plan, we’ll provide you with domestic departure and arrival as per the flight schedule.
Passport & Visa:
All foreigners except Indian nationals must have a valid visa to enter Nepal. Visa is available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport upon entry in Kathmandu, Nepal, and at Nepal borders of India and Tibet. Visa can be easily extended to the central immigration office. www.immigration.gov.np Visa application requires a passport with at least 6 months until expiration and one passport-size photo.
The current cost of a visa for 15 Days – 30 USD, 30 Days – 50 USD, and 90 Days – 125 (to be paid in cash) Other currencies are also accepted although rates may differ. Other nationalities should check entry requirements. Visitors are requested to specify return flight tickets, and the time intended to stay in Nepal.
Visa Extension Fee: Tourist visa extension is done for a minimum of 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days. In the case of a delay of less than 150 days additional USD 5 per day as of late fine.
Safety precautions for Bardia National Park Safari:
Aside from geographical protection, Tiger Encounter has taken safety in following things to make travel as safe as possible making the most out of it without any worry!
Tipping:
Tipping is not included in the salaries of your guides, driver, or crew, but it is greatly appreciated. In Nepalese culture, tips are accepted and a lovely way of saying thank you (“Dhanyabada”) for good service. Normally the tips are offered at the end of the tour and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the trips on the last day of the tour.
Safety Precautions:
Stop Population:
Facts About Bardia National Park:
Declare Year: 1976 AD as a Royal Karnali WildlifeReserve (348 km²) and 1988 AD as a Bardia National Park (968 km²
National park area: 968 km²
Location: The south-western part of Nepal (Province 5 & 6)
Bioclimatic zone: Tropical to sub-tropical
Elevation: 152m (Manaughat) to 1564m (Banspani Peak)
Major Rivers: Karnali, Geruwa, Babai, Orahi
Main mammals: Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Wild Elephant, Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Gangetic Dolphin, Swamp Deer, For-Horned Antelope
Main birds: Bengal Florican, Lesser Florican, White-rumped Vulture
Major tree species: Shorea robusta, Adina cardifolia, Terminalia tomentosa, Lagestroemia parviflora, Pinus roxburghii
Buffer zone declared: 1996 AD and extended in 2010 AD
Buffer zone area: 507km²
Municipalities: 5 (Thakurbaba, Madhuban, Barbardia, Bansgadhi, and Bheriganga)
Rural Municipalities: 3 (Geruwa, Barahatal and Baijanath)
Population: 1,14,201
Major caste: Tharu, Brahmin, Chhetri
Economy: Agriculture, Animal husbandry, Tourism, Trade, and Labors
This is a pre-booking form for the lead traveler. We would send you the actual booking form after the confirmation
I really wanted to find a local company who could make a personalised itinerary for my husband and I to do red panda trekking and a safari in Bardia National Park to see tigers (among other things). I would highly recommend Tiger Encounter for any trip to Nepal, but especially if you’re looking to encounter wildlife.
We recently returned from a 2 week private wildlife trekking and safari tour with Tiger Encounter, and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. We found them through a Google search and we are so glad that we did – we were so impressed! Tiger Encounter really offer such a personalised service and clearly care about their travellers.
Excellent safari in Chitwan and Bardia. Very professional company and we were looked after really well. Communication was easy and fast response. The guides on the safaris were brilliant and the accommodation was excellent. Can’t rate them highly enough.
I’ve been to 28 different countries and countless safaris over the world- let me tell you that this is the standard for every other safari I’ve been on since! The attention to detail, the absolute love and care of the guides, and the tour operator’s genuine wish for you to have the best experience possible made this one of the most amazing tours/safaris I’ve been on. It was just as amazing to meet the locals and meet the Tharu people as it was to see the rhino and to be close up with an elephant!! (And That tiger that kept in front of our raft to cross the river!!) As an experienced traveler, take my word that you will have a genuinely wild and carefree adventure!!!🤩🥳🥳
Had the most wonderful and life changing experience with Tiger Encounter. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Sharma (owner) who had accompanied me as my guide throughout my adventure. They had planned everything so well and truly make you feel like family. Be it every step of the way from jeep safari, jungle walk, canoe ride, trek through the jungle, mountain trek Mr. Sharma is truly amazing guide, photographer and wonderful motivator. It goes without saying that your guide is your doorway to experiencing everything about the beautiful country you visit. Be it food, shopping, adventure or pleasure. I truly loved every moment of my time…and hope to return to this beautiful country with Tiger Encounter to many more adventures and celebrating a wonderful friendship. Hop you all have as amazing adventures and journeys with them. 🌟
Thank you Tiger Encounter team for another great experience in beautiful Nepal. We had amazing memories in Mt. Everest & Chitwan! We did wildlife safari, jeep safari, bird watching, village tour & cultural program. You are super professional, knowledgeable. Strongly recommend.
Tiger Encounter made our tiger encounter possible. On tiger tracking day two we saw the beautiful beast come out to drink it has an incredible experience. Waiting for almost two days on the blazing heat of May was really worth it!!
We went on a wildlife safari tour operated by Tiger Encounter last May 2019. It was a great experience for the whole family our kids were very excited to see animals out in the wild.
Embark on an exciting and extraordinary Masai Mara and Serengeti wildlife safari adventure in Kenya and Tanzania.
Witness the beauty of Africa’s Big Five in the wilderness of Kenya and Tanzania, the world-renowned wildlife destinations.
“This iconic savannah offers unmatched sightings of lions, leopards, and cheetahs, making it the quintessential safari experience”