Chitwan National Park

Wild Rhinos and Jungle Adventures

Chitwan National Park in Nepal covers lush lowland forests and wide grasslands along the southern Terai region. The park protects one of the last homes to the Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros and many bird species. Visitors can explore by foot or on a guided boat ride through rivers that cut across the landscape. Local villages provide insight into traditional Nepali culture while offering simple lodging options for travelers seeking an authentic experience in nature. The area supports conservation projects focused on wildlife protection and community development.

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National Park in Nepal

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	3
Accessibility:	2
Tap water:	2

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, by guides, and in tourist services around Chitwan. Most signage and information are available in English, making it easy for international visitors to get around and book activities.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 26 Oct 2026

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Chitwan National Park Summary

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Excellent for jungle wildlife safaris. Ride jeep safaris through forests, spot rhinos and crocodiles, watch tropical birds and explore rivers by canoe.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Wildlife

Birdwatching

Forests

Guided tours

Rivers

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

🥗 9

Vegetarian

👩 6

Solo

Nepal – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Nepalese Rupee (NPR) £1 ≈ NPR 202.52
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Credit cards are accepted in many larger establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Nepal, with 10% being the usual amount in restaurants. Taxis and hotel staff appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not generally allowed in Nepal, and alcohol should be consumed in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, though many places have non-smoking zones.

Dashain (September-October)	The biggest Hindu festival in Nepal
Tihar (October-November)	A celebration of lights, similar to Diwali

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 100 (Police), 102 (Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Pathao
Other:	Nepal is famous for its cultural heritage and natural beauty, including the Himalayas and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Chitwan National Park, Nepal

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

🔥

Mar

🔥

Apr

🔥

May

🌦️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

🔥

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Tall elephant grass is cut in January and February, making rhinos and tigers much easier to spot

Monsoon June to September: many lodges close, jungle activities are limited and roads can flood

Don't miss

🦏 Take a jungle safari to spot rare one-horned rhinos
🚣‍♂️ Ride a canoe along the Rapti River at dawn
🐘 Watch elephants bathe and play in the river
🌾 Explore the park’s grasslands with an expert naturalist guide
🏡 Visit local Tharu villages and learn their traditions

You've been here?

Why travel to Chitwan National Park?

Chitwan is the ultimate escape for anyone who dreams of seeing wild animals up close. Jeep safaris and guided jungle walks bring you face-to-face with rhinos, deer, wild boar and (if you’re lucky) elusive tigers and sloth bears. Canoe rides on the Rapti or Narayani Rivers are a peaceful way to spot crocodiles and kingfishers. Birdwatchers will be in heaven with over 600 species recorded. The chance to visit Tharu villages adds a cultural twist, giving you a glimpse into the local way of life. But there are things to consider: It gets hot and humid, especially from April to September and the monsoon (June–September) can close roads and trails. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and some activities – like elephant rides – raise ethical concerns due to animal welfare issues. Tsetse flies and mosquitoes can be a nuisance, so bring repellent. Still, Chitwan’s blend of adventure, nature and culture makes it one of Nepal’s most memorable destinations.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Meghauli
2 Gharial Conservation Breeding Center, Kasara
3 Tharu Village

🎡Places for activities

1 Amaltari Madhyabarti Homestay
2 Kings Jungle Safari & Culture Home Stay
3 Elephant Safari Resort
4 Lamo jharna, Jalbire

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Narayani
2 Thangkhola Community Forest
3 East Rapti River

🎈Events

Chitwan Elephant Festival (December)
Tharu Cultural Festival
Birdwatching Week (winter)
Nepali New Year celebrations
Wildlife Conservation Awareness Days

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Knowledge before you go

Mandatory guide required. No solo entry into park permitted.
October-November best for rhinos; dry season concentrates wildlife near rivers.
Entry 2000 NPR/person daily; book jeep/canoe safaris through licensed operators.
Tharu villages offer cultural dinners; try local rice beer and stick dances after safari.

How to travel to Chitwan National Park

Chitwan is about 5–7 hours by tourist bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara, with daily departures. Private cars are faster and more comfortable (about 5 hours from Kathmandu). The nearest airport is Bharatpur, 10 km from Sauraha, with daily flights from Kathmandu (30 minutes). From Bharatpur, take a taxi or arrange a hotel pickup.

Access summary

From Bharatpur Airport (BHR): Taxi or hotel transfer about 30–45 minutes.
From Kathmandu: Tourist bus or private car roughly 5–7 hours.
From Pokhara: Tourist bus or private car usually about 4–6 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Chitwan National Park

Accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels and luxury jungle lodges, mostly clustered around Sauraha and Meghauli. Many offer package deals with meals and activities. Book ahead in high season (October–March). For a more immersive experience, consider a Tharu village homestay.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Green Park Resort Chitwan

Hotel Sapana Village Lodge Chitwan

Chitwan Village Resort

8.9

Banbas Resort, Chitwan

9.1

Vivanta Chitwan, Bharatpur

9.1

Chautari Garden Resort

8.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Chitwan National Park

Most visitors stay in or near Sauraha, the main tourist hub. Hotels and lodges arrange all safaris and tours, including transfers. Walking and cycling are pleasant in the dry season, but distances can be long and it’s hot midday. Jeep safaris and guided walks are the best way to explore the park itself. Canoe rides are a must for a different view of the jungle. Taxis and rickshaws are available for short trips.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-73 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 73% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NPR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Hetauda, Nepal - 70 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£17	£43	£139
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£6	£23	£75
🍝 Food per day	£10	£17	£56
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£8

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£5
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£2.80
☕ Cappuccino	£0.95
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.31
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£5
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£1.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£16
🤧 Cold medication	£1.50
💇 Basic haircut	£1.80

Safety information overview

General safety

Chitwan is generally safe, but always follow your guide’s instructions — wildlife encounters can be dangerous. Petty theft is rare but possible, especially in crowded markets. Avoid walking alone in the park or at night.

Health & Medical

Basic medical care is available in Sauraha and Bharatpur, but serious issues require travel to Kathmandu. Mosquitoes and tsetse flies can carry disease — use repellent and consider malaria prophylaxis. Drink only bottled or filtered water.

Accessibility

Most lodges and main areas are accessible, but jungle walks and safaris require moderate fitness and may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Jeeps can be bumpy and trails may be muddy in the wet season.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink — always use bottled or filtered water, even for brushing teeth. Bring a reusable bottle to refill at your lodge or hotel.