Banke National Park

Banke National Park is a protected area in western Nepal’s Terai lowlands, designated to conserve forest, grassland and river habitats and the wildlife that depends on them. The park was established by the Government of Nepal to protect species native to the Terai and to expand the network of protected areas in the region.

The park supports a variety of large mammals and bird species typical of the Terai conservation landscape including tiger and Asian elephant, and it forms part of the broader transboundary and inter-park network of protected areas in western Nepal. It is managed for both biodiversity conservation and regulated public access.

Banke National Park was officially created in 2010 to increase protected habitat in the Terai and to strengthen connectivity between existing parks and wildlife corridors. Management includes anti-poaching measures, community involvement and regulated tourism.

The park occupies lowland terrain in Lumbini Province (western Nepal) and is accessed from regional transport hubs such as Nepalgunj, which serves as the principal gateway for visitors and logistics.

• Access and ecosystem: The park is a Terai lowland protected area created to conserve large mammals and migratory wildlife in western Nepal; the nearest major gateway city is Nepalgunj, which serves as the usual access point for visitors and researchers.
• Best season: Dry months (roughly October to April) are generally the best time for wildlife viewing when animals concentrate near water sources.

• Use Nepalgunj as your gateway-most visitors fly into Nepalgunj and take a road transfer to Banke National Park, where permits and local guides are arranged at or through the park office.
• Plan wildlife outings for early morning or late afternoon drives and walks, when animals are most active; book authorized guides and jeeps through the park or a reputable operator in Nepalgunj.
• Visit in the drier months (roughly October-May) for clearer trails and better wildlife-viewing conditions; the monsoon season makes many dirt tracks harder to use and reduces visibility.
• Banke receives fewer tourists than some western parks-book permits and accommodation in advance through local operators if you want specific guides or private safaris, as options are more limited on arrival.