Bardia National Park Tour

Difficulty

The Bardia National Park Tour is an effortless adventure with no forced marches and no elevated height hiking. They involve tours in vehicles, jeep safaris, and guided walks of short distances, mostly on flat land. Wildlife observation occurs at jungle walks at a slow pace.

The tour is of interest to people of all ages and is suitable for families and elderly individuals, requiring no specific training. The maximum height is at Kathmandu (~1,350m), and there are no acclimatization matters. The weather may be hot and humid; therefore, it is necessary to be hydrated and wear sun protection.

For some rough jungle roads, we would recommend that you have good footwear. It includes activities that do not involve physical activity, but it needs patience and silence when spotting the wildlife. Route guides are provided, adding safety and comfort to the trip and thus making the trip a simple and satisfying one for anyone with basic fitness status.

Best Season

The most favorable time to visit Bardia National Park is during the dry season, from October to April. The weather during this period is pleasant, and visibility of wildlife is high since the animals congregate around a few water bodies, and vegetation is less dense following the monsoon season.

In October and November, it is lush green with moderate temperatures (~25 °C). The jungle is still green, which provides amazing scenes, but there is the presence of tall grass where some animals can be concealed. It is best when it comes to general comfort and wildlife observation.

There is winter (December to February), which is cool but has cold mornings and nights (8-10 °C) and warm days (20-25 °C). Thinning grasslands and harvesting elephant grass increases the opportunity to encounter tigers, rhinos, and migratory birds; thus, it forms a perfect place to conduct safaris and bird watching.

Spring (March-April) is hot, and wildlife activity is high on drying waterholes. This is the best time to spot tigers, but the visitors also have to be ready to bear the warm weather. The humid weather comes best in early summer (May-June), making it unbearable to some travelers.

Monsoon season (July to early September) is not exactly recommended because it is extremely rainy, with rivers and trails flooded. The park can be open to safaris. There are more insects, animals are more difficult to see, and traffic is disrupted. During this period, visits were made, but they were not as rewarding.

Food and Accommodation

You will have the opportunity to stay in good 3-star hotels in Kathmandu with modern facilities such as hot showers, Wi-Fi, and breakfast. Have lunch and dinner in local restaurants to enjoy different cuisines, including Nepali dal bhat and momos, to have the city food experience.

In the area around Bardia National Park, there are jungle lodges that have clean rooms with mosquito nets and simple facilities, frequently solar powered. Full-board Nepali, Western meals, and local Tharu specialties are available in the Lodges. Evenings can be spent doing outdoor dining, bonfires, and cultural shows to make the stay simple yet rustic.

Transportation and Facilities

The tour employs the one-hour local flight between Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, sparing a few days of a 12-15-hour drive. In Nepalgunj and Bardia, the transport between those two cities is by air-conditioned private cars, and in Kathmandu, you go on a sightseeing tour in the city by a collective of cars.

Bardia offers varied wildlife viewing on safari through 4×4 open-top jeeps, walking tours, elephant rides, and river boats. Knowledgeable guides and drivers are used in order to facilitate smooth and immersive experiences. Your transportation is organised and all part of the experience around the parks.

The city of Kathmandu has all the facilities, such as ATMs and medical stores. Lodgings in Bardia have solar electricity, charging facilities, filtered water, and small Wi-Fi. The medical aid is rudimentary in the immediate vicinity; serious illnesses require the facilities in Nepalgunj. Safety: carry cash, power banks, travel insurance, and a first aid kit.

What to Expect

Kathmandu is a colorful beginning with its crowded bazaar, temple treasures, and local culture. The history of Nepal is introduced to you by friendly guides as you walk through UNESCO World Heritage sites and experience life in the city at a moderate pace, with shopping and trying the local cuisine.

Never stay up late in Bardia, as it is so worth waking up early to go on wildlife-active dawn and dusk safaris. You can see tigers or rhinos while being on safaris, but you need some quiet time, patience, and it is a moment flooded with the songs of birds and jungle scenery. Your safari leader will present animal and adventurous tales.

Slow and quiet walking safaris are just to keep safe. Alternatively, hot afternoons encourage many to relax at the lodge or pay a visit to some friendly Tharu villages with cultural games and dances. Evenings are peaceful, where cultural performances, campfire, and jungle night pieces produce an enchanted mood.

Guide and Staff

Be prepared to be greeted with great energy in Kathmandu, a place of crowded bazaars, gaudy temples, and traditional local culture. Amicable guides will provide you with the history of Nepal as you visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites and experience life in the city at a moderate pace, with shopping and trying the local food.

Get up early in Bardia to do wildlife active dawn and dusk safaris. Jeep journeys are a rough and exciting experience that has the possibility of encountering tigers or rhinos. One should be patient at such quiet times, filled with the sounds of birds and jungle landscape. There are animal facts and tales told by guides.

Slow movement done in a low tone is used in walking safaris. Hot afternoons are the time to relax at the lodge or to tour friendly Tharu villages where there are cultural games and dances. Nights are peaceful, and the cultural events, the fire at night, and the sounds of the jungle make it mesmerizing.

You will have low internet access to immerse in nature. Communication is great and friendly, and accommodating despite special needs. You will get to appreciate more the wildlife conservation and local culture, leaving Nepal with pleasant photographs and other valuable experiences of its natural and cultural heritage.

Visa and Permit

A majority of the travelers receive their Nepal Tourist Visa on Arrival through the airport, Kathmandu, or the land borders. Prices are differentiated according to time period, 30-day and 15-day periods being: 50/150. To get a Nepali visa, you need a passport, photographs, and money (USD or Nepalese rupees). There are also e-visa alternatives online.

Bardia National Park also needs an entry pass on a foreigner basis for NPR 1,500 (~$1215) daily. Tours normally have this fee. Other work may require additional permits, such as special forms of work like professional photography. Have your copy of the permit and passport ready when you are visiting.

Have a valid passport 6+ months in duration, and travel insurance is recommended to make it safe. Extensions of visas can be done locally whenever necessary. Permits and domestic flight arrangements will be done by our teams, so that you can relax and enjoy your Bardia safari without hassle.

Your Extra Expenses

Fee for Nepal Visa:

The tourist visa on arrival is charged an average of $30-50 USD, depending on the duration of your visit. The fee is required unless you already have a visa or you reside in a visa-exempt country.

Kathmandu food:

Breakfast is also part of your hotel, but lunches and dinners in Kathmandu are at your own expense. Restaurant food is roughly NPR 500-NPR 1500 ($4-12), so make sure you budget to eat in the city and buy snacks.

Drinks and Alcohol:

Anything other than tea and coffee is an addition, in Kathmandu as well as in the lodge. Most bottled waters, soft drinks, beer, and alcohol should be between NPR 100-500, so have cash to buy beverages.

Personal Expenses:

Cost of souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, and internet costs beyond free services is your responsibility. Handicrafts such as the Tharu baskets and tiger-related products are sold locally, and are generally priced at NPR 100-200 per item or kilogram of laundry.

Tips (Gratuities):

Tips are not mandatory. Budget around 5-10 dollars per day on guides, 3-5 dollars on drivers, plus a small tip to hotel staff, which is often combined in group tours.

Travel Insurance:

The use of travel insurance is highly encouraged, and it is seen as an additional cost. It is expected to include medical emergencies and evacuation, and it should be bought ahead of your trip to have peace of mind.

Additional Activities:

Any additional excursion out of the schedule, such as mountain tours, massages, or an extra safari, will incur an extra fee. These are not compulsory, and are made on appointment with providers during your leisure time.

Originating Flight Excess Baggage:

Domestic flights to Nepalgunj usually carry 15 kg checked baggage and 5 kg hand carry; excess baggage costs are enforced should one surpass the limits. These costs are usually minimal, but they can be avoided by just bringing your bags lightly.

Emergency Funds:

Put in some excess cash just in case of emergency, such as unexpected overnights and changes in flight. Preparedness helps in the effective management of unexpected events without strain.

Trip Extension

Safari in Chitwan National Park:

In case you adore wildlife, why not spend 2-3 nights in the Chitwan National Park to see rhinos, ride elephants, and sightsee crocodiles. Chitwan is easier to visit by either daily flights or overland (via Kathmandu), and the jungle experience is different from Bardia.

Pokhara and Mountains:

Pokhara is surrounded by the beautiful Himalayan Mountains, which provide leisure and adventure activities such as paragliding. It can be reached either by a short flight or by a scenic drive and is also a gateway to short treks, such as to Ghorepani Poon Hill.

Lumbini- Birthplace of Buddha:

Umbhini is a serene pilgrimage site located near Bardia and houses monasteries, the Bodhi tree, and the temple of Buddha, where he was born, the Maya Devi Temple. There is a rich cultural and spiritual experience within a 1-2 day visit.

Navigations of Kathmandu Valley:

You can visit old cities such as Bhaktapur and Patan with their temples, workshops of craftsmen, and Durbar Squares. There are nearby hill stations such as Nagarkot or Dhulikhel, where you could enjoy a mountain view and a village walk, and some optional activities such as cooking lessons or even paragliding flights to Everest.

White Water Rafting:

Rafting trip on the rivers of Nepal, such as the Trishuli, is a popular adventure in Nepal. This can be accommodated in the travel between Bardia, Chitwan, and Kathmandu to add adrenaline.

Trekking Adventures:

Shorter ones, such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit, require 1-3 weeks and provide the best of Himalayan experiences. Some tourists resort to safari as a recovery trek, but the two can also be mixed in case one has time and energy.

India or Bhutan tour:

In the case of international extensions, tourists tend to visit the cultural sites in India or the heritage sites. These would need a different visa and organization, but contain much more access to exploration besides a practical Nepal visit.

Private Trip vs Group Join Trip

A Private Bardia tour is flexible, has a tailor-made program, and guides who are available exclusively to your group, enabling privacy and comfort. It is suited to families or people who would like an intimate experience, but the custom nature tends to make it expensive in comparison to large group tours.

Group tours are economic and social, scheduling is fixed, and common activities are included. They are suitable for individuals traveling alone or people who like to meet new people, but not with a more flexible itinerary. Both of them offer professional guides and wild animal experiences to make Bardia a fruitful experience.