Discover Nepal guide
Chitwan National Park: Travel & Wildlife Guide
Explore Chitwan National Park: wildlife, ecosystems, access, activities, conservation and best-season guidance.
Nepal's first national park — the Terai's rhino and tiger flagship on the Rapti–Narayani floodplain.
Ecosystems
Sal forest, riverine grassland (phanta), oxbow lakes and floodplain forest.
What to do
Jeep and elephant-free walking safaris with naturalists, canoe trips for gharials, Tharu village visits, birding.
Conservation
A global zero-poaching leader — multiple years since 2011 with no rhino lost to poaching, and tiger numbers rising in the 2022 national survey.
Best time to visit
Oct–Jun; birding peaks Dec–Feb; rhino sightings best in the dry months.
Key wildlife
- Greater one-horned rhino (752 counted, 2021)
- Bengal tiger
- Gharial & mugger crocodile
- Sloth bear
- 400+ bird species