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Chitwan, Terai

Chitwan National Park

Nepal's first national park, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, home to one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tigers in the lowland Terai.

Category: Nature & Wildlife Best season: Winter (Dec-Feb) Budget: Park entry plus a guided jeep safari typically runs USD 40-60 per person.

Established in 1973 as Nepal's first national park and inscribed by UNESCO in 1984, Chitwan covers roughly 953 square kilometers of the Terai lowlands. Its rhinoceros population has recovered significantly since the park's early years, and it remains one of the best places in Asia for a real chance at seeing a wild Bengal tiger, alongside gharial crocodiles and over 500 bird species.

Things to do in the park

Thing to do

Jeep safari for rhino and tiger

Guided jeep safaris run early morning and late afternoon, when wildlife is most active.

Thing to do

Canoe ride on the Rapti River

A quiet dugout-canoe float past gharial crocodiles and riverbank birdlife.

Getting around

Getting to Chitwan

Around 5-6 hours by road from Kathmandu, or a short domestic flight to Bharatpur.

Last verified Sept. 6, 2026 · Wikipedia