Lest you think Nepal’s scenic offerings begin and end with its Himalayan peaks, we’re shining a spotlight on another of the country’s natural treasures: its glorious nature parks. Comprising lush wetlands, thick jungles, and thriving grasslands, the country’s protected areas offer the promise of adventurous treks-as well as the chance to get up and close and personal with the wildlife in Nepal. Whether that means tigers or elephants, rhinos or sloth bears, leopards or rare tropical birds, with a bit of luck you’ll be in for some truly wild encounters.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Koshi Tappu is a wetland haven for hundreds of bird species © Utopia_88/iStock
Located in the lush Terai region of southern Nepal, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve comprises a beautiful stretch of wetland habitats. The smallest national park in the region, Koshi Tappu is nevertheless rich in flora and fauna, and is a particular draw for birdwatchers looking to spot some of the 500-odd species that flock to the Koshi River. Though feathered creatures are the park’s highlight, visitors can also observe other animals, from jackals and deer to civets and river dolphins.
Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve
Spot majestic elephants at Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve © Natalia Moroz/iStock
Though it once served as hunting grounds for Nepal’s royal family, Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve – also located in the Terai – has been protected territory since 1973. Covering lake, river, and grassland habitats, the park is home to a diverse array of wildlife; explorers are as likely to encounter monitor lizards and crocodiles as they are elephants, leopards, and swamp deer. Beyond the animals, the jungles in Shuklaphanta hide one more treasure to discover: the ruins of an ancient Nepalese kingdom.
Chitwan National Park
The one-horned rhinoceros is one of Nepal’s most treasured species © Carsten Brandt/iStock
In the shadow of the Himalayas lies the oldest – and one of the largest – of Nepal’s national parks: the storied Chitwan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a nature lover’s paradise. One of the best places to discover exotic wildlife in Nepal, the park is especially famous for its population of Bengal tigers and rare, one-horned rhinos, though it’s also home to leopards, sloth bears, hundreds of bird species, and plenty of monkeys. It’s no wonder that this park’s name translates to “Heart of the Jungle.”
Royal Bardia National Park
Royal Bardia National Park is a wild and untamed paradise © Utopia_88/iStock
While beautiful, accessible Chitwan is a magnet for visitors, those after a taste of Nepal’s wilder side would do well to visit Royal Bardia National Park, a vast and untamed stretch of wilderness within the Terai. The largest park in the region, its thick foliage is the ideal habitat for Bengal tigers; make sure you keep a camera on hand should the rare sighting occur. If the tigers prove elusive, there are many more creatures to get acquainted with, from dolphins and gharial crocodiles in the water to chital, swamp deer, and striped hyenas in the grasslands. Leopards, elephants, and rhinos also call Bardia home.
Parsa Wildlife Reserve
Parsa is the biggest wildlife reserve in the country © DavorLovincic/iStock
The biggest wildlife reserve in the country, Parsa stretches from the Terai lowlands up to the Siwalik foothills. It’s a strikingly beautiful part of the country, and, unsurprisingly, an excellent destination for those hoping to encounter exotic wildlife in Nepal. Rhesus macaques, jungle cats, kingfishers and langurs can be seen in Parsa’s thick forests, in addition to the country’s ‘highlight’ animals: the sharp-eyed may be rewarded with elephant, tiger, and leopard sightings.
