Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Chitwan National Park

Nestled in the subtropical lowlands of Nepal, Chitwan National Park is a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Established in 1973, this UNESCO World Heritage site covers an expansive area of 932 square kilometers, offering a diverse range of flora and fauna. From dense forests and grasslands to rivers and marshes, 

Chitwan’s varied landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re keen on spotting the elusive Bengal tiger, observing one-horned rhinoceroses up close, or simply soaking in the tranquil beauty of the natural surroundings, 

Chitwan National Park promises an experience like no other. Here is everything you need to know before visiting Chitwan National Park to make the most of your visit.

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Chitwan National Park is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, which spans from October to March. During these months, the weather is cooler, and wildlife sightings are more frequent.

The peak season from October to March offers moderate temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C during the day and cooler nights. The dry season results in less dense foliage, making it easier to spot wildlife such as one-horned rhinoceroses, elephants, and various bird species. If you are very lucky you might even see a tiger, but sightings are rare. This period is ideal for jungle safaris, bird watching, canoeing, and guided nature walks. However, as it is the peak season, expect an increase in costs and the number of tourists visiting the area.

The monsoon season, from June to September, brings heavy rainfall and lush, green landscapes with temperatures around 30°C. While spotting wildlife can be more challenging due to dense vegetation. Some activities like jungle safaris might be limited due to muddy and flooded trails. Fewer tourists visit during the monsoon, so you can enjoy a more tranquil experience and often find better deals on accommodation. It is also important to note that roads to Chitwan National Park from Kathmandu might be washed out or flooded if there is a large rainstorm.

The shoulder season from April to June sees rising temperatures, often exceeding 35°C with high humidity. The increasing heat drives animals to water sources, making early mornings and late afternoons the best times for sightings. I decided to visit in the shoulder season, and while it was very hot, it was worth it. The crowds were less than that of the busy season, accommodations were easy to book, and wildlife was plentiful.

Chitwan National Park is most commonly visited from either Kathmandu or Pokhara. There are multiple ways to get from Chitwan National Park that include flying, driving, and if you are adventurous rafting. 

If you plan on flying Bharatpur Airport is the closest airport to Chitwan National Park. However, it is still about an hour drive from the airport to Chitwan National Park. Flights to Bharatpur occur multiple times a day, every day. From both Kathmandu and Pokhara it is about a 20-minute flight.

A second option is to either drive or take a tourist bus to Chitwan National Park. There are both morning and evening buses that depart daily from Kathmandu and Pokhara. From Kathmandu it is about a 5-hour drive or bus ride. While from Pokhara it is about a 6-hour drive or bus ride to the entrance.

If you are adventurous you can take a rafting tour from Pokhara down towards Chitwan National Park and catch a bus ride for the final portion, which takes about an hour. 

If you want a full in-depth guide on how to get to Chitwan National Park, click here.

Of course, the question always is how many days to stay in Chitwan National Park. As for my recommendation to get the full experience it is best to stay 4 days within Chitwan National Park. If you are tight on time a 3-day trip to Chitwan National Park is possible. However, anything less than this would be tough due to how remote the park is.

If you are on a tight budget there are plenty of hostels right outside the entrance of Chitwan National Park. One of the most popular is Hotel National Park Sauraha, located just 10 minutes from the entrance. 

Rooms at Hotel National Park Sauraha start at $9.00 USD and go up to $25.00 USD. All rooms are private rooms that also have private bathrooms. Some of the cheaper rooms do not include A/C, which can make for quite a hot room in the summer months. They do offer larger rooms that can be great for families as well. 

All of the accommodations below do not assist with booking or allow elephant riding of their resident elephants.

If you are looking for a mid-range hotel to stay at within Chitwan National Park look no further than Sapana Village Lodge. Sapana Village Lodge features a variety of rooms and suites, each designed with traditional Tharu architecture accompanied by modern day necessities. 

The lodge falls is a charming and eco-friendly accommodation option to your visit of Chitwan National Park.  Surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil landscapes, the lodge offers a perfect blend of comfort, culture, and nature. It is also the only elephant sanctuary you will find in Chitwan National Park.

Sapana Village Lodge offers both room accommodations, and tour packages. During my stay I did a 3-night, 4-day package that I thought was well worth it. It included all of my food (drinks were not included) and numerous activities such as game drives, canoeing, and jungle walks. Hotel rooms start at around $85.00 USD, while packages cost around $300.00 per person.

For a luxurious stay while visiting Chitwan National Park, consider indulging in the exquisite accommodations at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge. This rustic retreat caters to the adventurous, offering few modern conveniences but making up for it with its resident elephants. The mahouts will introduce you to these magnificent creatures, helping you learn their names and personalities as they roam freely in their 18-acre enclosures. 

Your days will be filled with exciting jeep drives through the jungle, searching for Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, and sloth bears. In the evenings, enjoy social sundowners around the fire with fellow adventurers before sharing communal meals in the main hall.

Although it has limited modern conveniences the price starts at a hefty $500/night. On the bright side this hotel is part of Mr. and Mrs. Smith Hotels. With recent changes this hotel is now bookable through points through the Hyatt loyalty program. While Chitwan National Park is open year-round, Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge is closed during the monsoon season.

Chitwan National Park, with its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, offers a multitude of activities and sights to explore. Chitwan National Park is famous for its wide diversity of wildlife. Here’s a guide to some of the must-see attractions and experiences in this UNESCO World Heritage site:

Wildlife Safaris

Embark on thrilling jeep safaris through dense forests and grasslands, guided by local experts. These are usually offered on a half-day (morning and evening) or a full day tour. With the full day tours, you are more likely to see a Bengal tiger as you go deeper into the national park.

The half-day tours are still a great option, and you will see a bunch of wildlife. During my stay I did mostly the half-day tours as that is what worked best with my schedule. I saw multiple rhinos, different species of birds and smaller mammals. On my last game drive, I was even able to see an elephant, but just his back end as he ran into the bushes. 

Nature Walks and Hiking

Take a break from the jeep safari and walk through nature. While the chances of seeing larger animals are less (not zero), this is a great way to experience the park. I did a morning walk with a tour guide that included breakfast in the park. About halfway through the walk we stopped at a large clearing where we could have breakfast and even saw some monkeys jumping around.

Canoe Rides

A great way to see birds and crocodiles in Chitwan National Park is to take a canoe ride. I joined a tour to take a two-hour canoe ride. While I had a good time, it was quite cramped, and you sit on the bottom of the canoe as a seat. If you have back problems, I suggest probably avoiding this activity. 

Cultural Encounters

I had no idea what I had signed up for when I arrived at my lodge, and they asked if I wanted to visit some of the Tharu villages. The first part of the tour we took a short drive about 15 minutes away where I met up with a local Tharu guide. She explained the village she lived in and how important the park was to her culture. I also learned that you could do a homestay, which sounded pretty neat.

Later that evening I went to a Tharu cultural program that showcased traditional dances. You were able to order food and drinks for the show. At the end they even invited everyone to join the last performance. It was an amazing experience and I am glad that I signed up for it. 

There are numerous ways to book tours when visiting Chitwan National Park. I am a planner, so I always recommend booking early. This is especially true during the busy tourist season as tours fill up fast. 

If you want to book tours in advance, one place to check out is booking through Viator. There are a large number of tour operators that listings. Everything from single day tours to multi-day tours, and even custom tours. This is also the best spot to book if you are looking for private tours

A second option is to book tours in Chitwan National Park through your accommodation. Even if you have not purchased a tour package, almost all accommodations will help you book a tour. It is better to reach out in advance, but even after arriving it is easy to reach out and ask. Just specify what type of tour you are looking for and they will most likely be able to coordinate something.

Lastly, there are a lot of tour stands around the entrance of Chitwan National Park where you can book tours. These aren’t always the most reputable and sometimes can be a bit of a haggling game to try to get a good price. These stands are not always manned, especially in the shoulder season or monsoon season they might not have anyone.

While Chitwan National Park is one of my favorite national parks that I have visited, it does not come without its ethical issues. One of the main ethical issues is the welfare of elephants. In Chitwan National Park it is easy to take an elephant riding safari. The saddles and baskets used for riding can cause physical discomfort and even injury to the elephants’ backs. After the safaris are over, they are chained up and not allowed to interact with other elephants. 

A portion of the money goes back to Chitwan National Park to its quite successful conservation program of Bengal tigers. While the conservation program is so successful it relies on the money from the safaris to fund it, which is why it is still common to see. Before my visit I spent hours researching places to stay that did not allow elephant riding. That is how I landed on staying at Sapana Village Lodge.

Planning your trip to Chitwan National Park, but not sure what to pack? Here is a list of everything I brought for my trip to Chitwan National Park.

Visiting Chitwan National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in Nepal’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring lush jungles on safari, observing rare wildlife in their natural habitat, or engaging with local communities like the Tharu people, Chitwan promises a journey filled with unforgettable experiences.

Prepare well, pack wisely, and embrace the adventure awaiting you in Chitwan National Park. I hope this guide helped you prepare and let me know in the comments below if you were able to see a Bengal tiger.