Main image

Ganesh Paudel CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Bardiya National Park

National Park

Bardiya National Park in western Nepal protects lowland jungle and riverine habitat home to tiger, rhinoceros and diverse birdlife. Visitors arrange jeep or boat safaris and guided walks from community lodges to encounter wildlife away from busier parks.

Bardiya National Park NepalgunjBirendranagarDhangadhiBardiya DistrictBhimdattaRara LakeBanke National ParkRara National ParkBardiya National Park

Bardiya National Park essentials

Address: Bardiya National Park, Bardiya / Kailali area, Karnali Province, Nepal
Hours: Park open year‑round (visitor centres / offices vary)

Bardiya National Park is a lowland protected area in western Nepal that preserves large tracts of floodplain forest, grassland and river corridor habitats. The park provides important habitat for large mammals including Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros and Asian elephant and is used for guided wildlife safaris.

Visitor activity focuses on guided jeep safaris, boat trips and walking expeditions into quieter core areas, often combined with stays in community-run lodges and guided conservation programs. The park is known for extensive riverine habitat and relatively low visitor numbers compared with more frequented Terai parks.

Bardiya was established to protect western Terai ecosystems and has been managed with a mix of anti-poaching, habitat restoration and community engagement initiatives. Ongoing conservation efforts prioritize range-wide species protection and the integration of local communities into park management.

Bardiya National Park lies in the far-western Terai of Nepal in Karnali Pradesh, west of the inner Himalayan foothills and north of the floodplain. The park is accessed by road from regional centres and by smaller local hubs near the park boundary.

  • Low visitor density: Bardiya offers comparatively low visitor numbers and extensive wild riverine and forest habitats, making it a strong option for wildlife-focused visits in the Terai.

What to See#

  • Core wildlife habitats: Core forested habitats and river corridors that provide habitat for Bengal tiger, greater one-horned rhinoceros and other large mammals.
  • Community settlements: Scattered Tharu and riverbank settlements that form low-density visitor and community access points to the park’s interior.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Bardiya National Park#

Bardiya National Park is best visited in the dry months (Oct-May) when wildlife is easier to spot and access is more reliable.

Dry season (Best for wildlife)
Oct-May · Warm to hot in the Terai; daytime often ~20-35°C
Lower water levels concentrate wildlife around water sources and mosquitoes are fewer, improving game-spotting on safaris.
Monsoon
Jun-Sep · Hot and humid, often above 25-30°C
Heavy rains, higher water and dense vegetation can reduce visibility for wildlife viewing and increase insects; travel may be restricted in places.

Weather & Climate near Bardiya National Park#

Climate

Bardiya National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in May) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1809 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 124 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
NovemberAprilMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
46°
Warmest Month
4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 8° - 20° 14° 30 mm some cloud 46% 1.0 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.4h
February Excellent 10° - 23° 17° 29 mm mostly sunny 43% 1.3 m/s 1.0 high 11.1h
March Ideal 14° - 29° 22° 20 mm mostly sunny 35% 1.6 m/s 1.5 very high 11.9h
April Ideal 20° - 34° 27° 23 mm mostly sunny 27% 1.6 m/s 1.9 very high 12.7h
May Excellent 23° - 36° 30° 77 mm some cloud 31% 1.9 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.4h
June Good 25° - 35° 30° 267 mm partly cloudy 47% 2.0 m/s 1.8 very high 13.8h
July Acceptable 24° - 32° 31° 566 mm overcast 75% 1.4 m/s 1.6 very high 13.6h
August Acceptable 24° - 31° 32° 446 mm overcast 81% 1.2 m/s 1.7 very high 13.0h
September Good 23° - 31° 27° 277 mm partly cloudy 79% 1.0 m/s 1.5 very high 12.2h
October Ideal 19° - 29° 24° 54 mm mostly sunny 64% 1.0 m/s 1.2 high 11.4h
November Ideal 13° - 25° 19° 5 mm clear 53% 0.9 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.6h
December Excellent 9° - 21° 15° 15 mm mostly sunny 47% 0.9 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Bardiya National Park#

The usual way to reach Bardiya National Park is to fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (domestic flights, roughly 40-50 minutes) and then continue by road into the park area by jeep or tourist bus. Road transfer times vary by entry point but typically take several hours from Nepalgunj to park lodges and gates; local operators run scheduled transfers from Nepalgunj to the main park access points.

Tips for Visiting Bardiya National Park#

  • Visit between October and March for the best chance of spotting wildlife on early-morning safaris when animals are most active, and book safaris through park-authorized operators or your lodge to ensure guides and permits are arranged.
  • Stay at a riverside lodge or book a boat trip on the Karnali to see crocodiles, birds and riverbank activity-many visitors focus only on jeep safaris and miss rich wildlife along the river.
  • Consider a Tharu homestay or community-based lodge to experience local culture and smaller guided walks; these quieter options often provide better, less crowded wildlife viewing than the busiest park circuits.