Bardia Tiger Trails

General Information

Nepal Visa

All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold passport and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. It can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fee. People willing to get entry Visa at the airport or any of the land entry points are required to fill a visa form with passport photograph.
* Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).

Pre-Trip Meeting

On arrival in Kathmandu, our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our pre-booked hotel. There won’t be any activity on this day. We will host a pre-trip meeting at the hotel lobby on the 2nd day of your itinerary in the evening. It will be an opportunity for you to meet your tour guide and introduce each other. The guide will brief you about the Safari activities and check your gear to ensure the smooth running of your wild adventure trip.

Climate

The climate in the Bardia areas remain high humidity all through the year. The difference in the climatic conditions in this region is responsible for its varied flora and fauna.

Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to December
This time of the year in Nepal Tarai region you will find average temperature these months. Tempreture are lowest to 9⁰C to highest 22⁰C.

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May
Both day and night temperatures will be warmer when skies are relatively  clear and the average daily temperature is roughly minimum 15⁰C to maximum 35⁰C

Species Diversity

A total of 68 species of mammals, 56 species of herpeto fauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile. The park harbors not only the world’s largest terrestrial mammal (wild elephant) but also the world’s smallest terrestrial mammal (pygmy shrew). A total of 544 species of birds has been recorded so far including 22 globally threatened species including critically endangered Bengal Florican, Slender-billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture and Red-headed Vulture.

Habitat Types

The Bardia  is characterized by tropical and subtropical forests. Roughly 70 percent of park vegetative cover is Sal (Shorea robusta) forest, a moist deciduous vegetation type of the terai region. The remaining vegetation types include grassland, riverine forest and Sal with Chir pine Pinus roxburghii. The later occurs at the top of the Churia range. The riverine forests consist of Khair (Acacia catechu), Sissoo (Dalbergia sisoo) and Simal (Bombax ceiba). The grasslands are mainly located in the floodplains of the rivers and form a diverse and complex community with over 50 different types of grasses including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), renowned for its immense height. It can grow up to 8 meter in height.

Jungle Activities

The Elephant Safari
This is an excellent way to see the jungle and the animals. You ride on top of the elephant on a square wooden box built to  t   people, one in each corner. During the safari you will approach closer to view some of the world’s rarest animals such the Great one-horned rhinos, sloth bears, deer, etc. If you are lucky, you will and an elusive tiger in the bushes. You will hear the sounds of insects and birds piercing the air as you ride through open Savanahs and grass lands. The trip will last for about one and a half hours.

Elephant Breeding Centre 
This is the first elephant breeding center in Asia and is situated only one and half km from the hotel. Our nature guide will take you there to show how the baby elephants socialize with their parents, how the elephant meals are prepared and how they eat. He will explain the nature and habits of the elephant. The center is government owned and its purpose is to raise the young elephant to secure a viable population.

Nature Walk 
With our experienced naturalists you will walk through more specialized habitats. You will become more aware of your surroundings .You will observe a bird nest on the high branch where a mother bird is feeding her young; or a song-bird hopping from limb to limb, pausing to the air with his clear, melodious calls; or a woodpecker busily searching for insects in the bark crevices.
A small tree lizard so similar the color of the wood seems to disappear. This protective camouflage helps conceal the lizard from both its prey and the hungry predators that seek it for food. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a squirrel scampering through the branches.

While making your nature walk, your observations will not be limited to trees and insects. The passage of wildlife through an area leaves signs for all to see. Each species of animal has its own distinct footprint, and by learning to identify them, you will be able to tell which animals have walked where you are walking. When the deer, wild boar, leopard and other animals come to drink, their tracks are recorded in the moist soil around the water’s edge. Spending some time in the outdoors on a nature walk you may be surprised at the variety of living things you will encounter.

Canoe Trip 
Canoeing at River Rapti is truly a wonderful experience. While floating down the tranquil river your rafting guide will show you some crocodiles basking at the riverbank, various birds along the shore and wildlife species that frequently come to drink into the river. Canoeing trip lasts around 45 minutes and you will be dropped at put off point to continue other jungle activities.

Bird Watching 
The park is a habitat for over  ¬  residential and migratory birds. Our bird specialist guide will help you to view and identify them. Most of them are rare species such as the great pied Hornbill, Bengal Floricon, Peregrine Falcon, lesser adjutant and others like storks. Cormorants, egrets, storks, cranes, jacanas, minivets, ibis, woodpeckers, hawks, osprey, falcons, kestrel, hornbills, floricans, kites, cuckoos, kingfishers, swallows, orioles, babblers are common in sight. A bird watching trip with our the nature guide will be a memorable experience

Culture Dance (Stick Dance) 
Bardia is the lowland region of Nepal where many ethnic groups live in harmony. Here, we can encounter their unique culture and traditional customs. Folk dances and musical traditions vary among Nepal’s many ethnic groups. During Safari trip to Bardia different types of local cultural dances are performed by men and women accompanied with drums and guitars in the late evening in the courtyard of the hotel. It would be a fun-filled evening and the Tharu cultural dance program lasts for around 45 minutes.

Warnings and Dangers

Malaria, dengue and kalaazaar:
Mosquito and sand-fly borne diseases that are really unpleasant. Take care to be dressed properly and oiled for the occasion.

Bears:
There are two bear types in Bardia, of which the sloth bear is by far the most bad-tempered and dangerous animal in Bardia. The sloth bear might be encountered while hiking in the jungle, and orderly retreat is the only way out – the bear will not give way and if attacking will seek to claw its perceived opponent.

Tiger:
As compared to the tiger, the other cats are nothing in terms of danger potential. A tiger, if surprisingly encountered or in a tight corner would be very deadly. Another aspect with tigers is that they may be man-eaters, actually stalking people as potential prey. Guides will know. Don’t go at the jungle’s edge in tiger land during Dusk/Dawn/Darkness.

Crocodiles:
The gharial will seek to escape after a mock attack, the mugger crocodile may chance to take a bite out of you if threatened. The bigger ones may be stalkers as well, but the muggers are now few and far between.

Snakes:
There are a number of venomous snakes in Bardia, some of them actually thrive nearby humans where there are rats. The main dangerous species are cobras and kraits, but also certain vipers are found. The reticulated python may bite in self-defense if surprised or threatened, but not really feast upon you directly. The good news is that snakes are largely hiding during the tourist season due to the cold but in monsoon time they come out from the hides.

Bright Clothing:
You should always avoid wearing bright clothing while visiting Bardia National Parks. Some animals like rhinos are agitated by the bright colours. So, for personal safety, it is best to avoid bright clothing.

INSURANCE

Before joining a tour, we recommend you to take out a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. Please send us the following details such as your full name, policy number and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number prior to departure. We also strongly recommend that your policy must cover personal liability, flight/trip cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

Rescue/ Evacuations

Though we hope for the best trip, you sometimes might be in need of rescue or evacuation in case of a serious sickness or a personal prolonged health issue. During such emergency you will be rescued by a helicopter. You are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation services. We request you to make sure when you purchase insurance from your country that your policy must cover these expenses or you should remain prepared to pay or sign on Helicopter Evacuation Form before you get on the Helicopter.

Overland Transportation Delay or Halt

If the main highway between Kathmandu, Pokhara or Beshisahar is blocked by a landslide or any natural calamity during the transfer, in such a situation the extra cost for food and accommodation has to be borne by the clients.

Equipment List:

Here are some recommended Equipment’s List for Jungle Safari in Bardia.

General

• Light cotton trousers
• Cotton shorts
• Light cotton shirts
• Cotton socks
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals
• Shower-proof rain jacket
• windbreaker
• Sunhat
• Fleece
• Suntan lotion
• Sunglasses
• Camera (telephoto lens recommended)
• Binoculars
• Extra Battery
• Torch

For winter

• Heavy woollen clothing
• Woollen hat
• Scarf and gloves
• Jackets
• Warm Socks
• High Ankled Boots

Tipping

(Resort Staff) Tipping is a tradition in tourism in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. We highly suggest you to allow some tips at your own discretion.