Royal Chitwan
National Park is Nepal's first and most famous national park is
situated in the Chitwan Doon or the lowlands of the inner Terai. Covering an
area of 932-sq-kms the park includes hilly areas of the Shiwalik range
covered by deciduous Sal forest.
Flora In Chitwan National Park
A fifth of the park is made up of the
floodplains of the Narayani, Rapti and the Reu Rivers and is covered by
dense tall Elephant grass interspersed with revenine forests of silk cotton
(Kapok), Acacia and Sisam trees.
Fauna In Chitwan National Park
This ecologically diverse area is the
last remaining home in Nepal for more than 300 of the endangered Asian
one-horned inoceros and harbours one of the largest populations of the
elusive and rare Royal Bengal Tiger. Besides Rhino and Tiger, Chitwan also
support a great variety of flora and fauna. There are four species of Deer,
including the Spotted Chittal, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Small Wild
Cats, the white stockinged Gaur (world's largest wild cattle) and many
other smaller animals.
The swampy areas and numerous Ox-bow lakes of Chitwan provide a home for
Marsh Crocodiles. In a stretch of the Narayani River is found one of the few
remaining of the populations of the rare and endangered fish-only eating
Gharial. In the summers the park is alive with migrants such as the fabulous
paradise flycatcher, the Indian Pitta ans Parakeets.
Vititors can
actively participate in exciting stalks thgrough the forest looking for
animal signs. One unique Chitwan experience in Elephant back safaris in
search of the one-horned Rhinocerous, Leopard, Deer, Bear, Monkey and
Crocodile. Few visitors can ever forget the excitement of crashing through
20 feet high elephant grass and sighting wildlife.
Apart from Elephant safaris, the traveller will be happplt occupied for
several days with natural walks, canoe rides down the park rivers and
landrover drives through the forest. Another exciting alternative to reach
the park is a two to three days raft trip down the Trishuli River to
Narayanghat or directly into the western edge of the park.
Air:
There are daily flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur.
Road:
Chitwan is easily accessible from Kathmandu being well connected by
national highway to Bharatpur and Saurana
