Kaptai National Park National Park

Kaptai National Park is a protected area in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Division that conserves forested land around a large reservoir and lake-dominated landscape. It is associated with the waterbody commonly known as Kaptai Lake.

The park’s main attractions are forested hills and shoreline scenery along the reservoir, with opportunities for boat-based sightseeing and viewing riparian habitats. The area attracts visitors for landscape photography, simple nature walks near the lake, and local wildlife observation rather than large-scale infrastructure or developed tourism.

The landscape and park boundaries developed after the creation of the reservoir that submerged low-lying valleys; the reservoir was created as part of a hydroelectric project. The area was later designated for protection under Bangladesh’s system of reserved forests and parkland to conserve remaining forest patches and lakeside habitat.

Geographically the park sits in southeastern Bangladesh within Chittagong Division, surrounding the reservoir known as Kaptai Lake on the Karnaphuli River. The park area is accessed from local towns in the Rangamati and Kaptai area and is part of the hill-forest region of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

• Reservoir: The adjacent reservoir was formed by the Karnaphuli Dam and is the main water feature around which the protected forested areas sit.

What to See#

• Kaptai Lake (reservoir): The large freshwater body created by the Karnaphuli Dam is the dominant water feature adjacent to the park and is used for boating and lake-edge scenery.

Kaptai National Park is accessible from Rangamati town and Cox’s Bazar via road; the nearest major city is Chittagong (about 2-3 hours by road). Local transport and private hires are the usual means to reach the park and Kaptai Lake.

• Coordinate any visit with local conservation authorities; park access and permits may be required for certain activities.
• Bring insect protection and rain gear in the wet season-trails can be slippery and leeches may be present.
• Combine a park visit with a boat trip on Kaptai Lake to appreciate different habitats and viewpoints.