Chitwan National Park National Park

Address: Chitwan National Park (Sauraha area), Chitwan, Nepal

Hours: Park open year‑round (visitor centres / offices vary)

Chitwan National Park is a protected lowland reserve in south-central Nepal that preserves subtropical riverine forests, grasslands and floodplain ecosystems. It is a primary destination in Nepal for observing resident populations of one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant and Bengal tiger in accessible lowland habitat.

Visitors typically take guided jeep safaris, canoe or boat trips on park rivers, and guided walks into buffer forests to see wildlife and birdlife; accommodation clusters and tour operators are based in nearby Sauraha and other entry points. Interpretive facilities and conservation programs, including an elephant breeding facility, support visitor activities and species management.

The park was established to protect the lowland Terai ecosystems and has been the focus of anti-poaching, habitat management and community-based conservation efforts over several decades. Management now combines core protected areas with buffer zones where regulated tourism and community uses occur.

Chitwan National Park lies in the southern Terai plains of Nepal in Bagmati Province and nearby provinces, extending along the Narayani-Rapti river system. The park is several hours by road southwest of Kathmandu, with Sauraha serving as the main gateway town.

• Key wildlife: The park is notable for populations of greater one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger; guided jeep safaris and boat trips are common methods to view wildlife.
• Best time for wildlife viewing: The dry months from October to April are generally best for wildlife sightings when animals concentrate near water sources.

What to See#

• Sauraha (tourist hub): Sauraha and nearby settlements act as the main visitor hubs, with riverside lodges and access points for wildlife tours into the park.
• Grasslands and river corridors: Floodplain grasslands, sal forest and riverine corridors along the Rapti and Narayani rivers that form the park’s principal wildlife habitat.
• Elephant Breeding Center: A government elephant breeding and conservation facility located near the park that supports research and visitor interpretation.

Chitwan National Park’s most common gateway is the riverside town of Sauraha. From Kathmandu it’s approximately a 5-6 hour road journey (about 150-170 km) along the Prithvi Highway; alternatively there are frequent domestic flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur (Bharatpur Airport), followed by a 20-30 minute taxi or bus drive to Sauraha and park entrances. Once in Sauraha, trails and boat access points are within easy walking distance of town.

• The wildlife-viewing season runs mainly from October through March (dry season); book early-morning jeep safaris or guided walks at dawn when animal activity is highest.
• Base yourself in Sauraha for the widest choice of registered lodge-based safari operators; reputable operators will include park permits and guided activities (jeep, canoe and walking safaris) in their packages.
• Don't miss the nearby Tharu villages and cultural programs - short village visits or evening performances provide cultural context that many wildlife-only visitors skip.