Many people are surprised to learn that Nepal has vast lowland areas where Bengal tigers, rhinoceroses, crocodiles, and elephants can be found. Bardiya National Park is one of the best places to see these animals in their natural habitat (also Bardia National Park). Aside from the large animals, the park is a bird-watching hotspot, with over 400 species living in or passing through the area.
This area, located in northwest Nepal near the Indian border, is known for its river valleys, extensive grasslands, and tropical forest dominated by the Sal tree. Some areas of the national park were once the sole hunting grounds of Nepali royalty. It has grown over the years, and it now covers 968 square kilometres.
From adrenaline-pumping activities like mountaineering, kayaking, and paragliding to peaceful strolls among mediaeval temples and hidden palaces, this country offers more memorable travel experiences than a single visit can accommodate.
Bardiya National park is the largest national park in the lowland Terai covering an area of 968 sq.km. The park situated in Nepal’s Western Terai was established for protecting the representative ecosystems and conserving the habitat of tiger and its prey species. Initially, a small area was gazetted as the Karnali Wildlife Reserve in 1976. At that time, 1500 households of the Babai valley were relocated outside the park allowing the vegetation and wildlife to flourish. In 1982, it was renamed as Bardiya Wildlife Reserve, and in 1984 it was extended to its current size.