A Guide to Chitwan National Park’s wildlife

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chitwan National Park is home to endangered creatures such as Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros and sloth bears, among other fascinating Chitwan wildlife. With the chance to head out on jeep safaris, along with walking safaris to get you closer to the animals, it’s an unforgettable experience. Heaven for bird-watchers too, we’ve got all the information you need about when to visit Chitwan National Park, as well as how to get the most out of your time there.

• Chitwan National Park is Nepal’s top wildlife destination, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to rare species like Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, and Asian elephants.

• Visitors can experience diverse ecosystems and over 500 bird species, alongside mammals such as sloth bears, monkeys, and deer, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

• Plan your visit wisely with tips on timing, safaris, and safety, ensuring an ethical and unforgettable adventure in Nepal’s lush Terai jungles.

Chitwan National Park lies near the border with India, in the central part of southern of Nepal. Set at the base of the Himalayas, in the river valley of the Inner Terai lowlands, the national park sprawls across around 368 square miles (952 square km) and is one of the few remaining pockets of the lush subtropical Terai region which once covered this corner of Asia.

The easiest way to get to Chitwan National Park is from Kathmandu, which takes around five hours by road or 20-30 minutes by plane, with regular flights between Kathmandu and Bharatpur Airport, around six miles from Chitwan. You can also travel from Pokhara, which is also around six hours by road from Chitwan. Most flights travel via Kathmandu, but there is also one direct daily flight from Pokhara which takes around 20 minutes.

The best time to visit Chitwan National Park is during the dry season, which runs from October to March. The monsoon rains fall between mid-June and mid-September; Nepal sees around 80% of its rainfall during these three months, often flooding roads, so avoid this period. You can expect low temperatures from November to January, when it often drops below freezing, but great weather for walking and clear skies. By February, taller grass has been cut, so it’s a fantastic month to spot the wildlife. In April and May, temperatures soar into the mid-40Cs but if you can cope with the punishing heat, wildlife gathers around waterholes during these months, making the animals easier to see. If you’re hoping to see some of Chitwan’s impressive bird-life, migratory species pass through between September and November, and February to April.

Rhinos Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Chitwan National Park is home to one of the last populations of Indian one-horned rhinos, as well as Bengal tigers, sloth bears, Asian elephants, plus a string of other mammals and birds galore. Head out on the park’s rivers and you could even spot rare Gangetic river dolphins, along with animals drinking on the banks.

Between around 100 and 150 Bengal tigers live in Chitwan National Park and neighbouring Parsa National Park, and Nepal is one of the few areas where their numbers are on the rise. Conservation practices, including anti-poaching patrols, community engagement and habitat management has led to Nepal’s tiger population tripling in around a decade. You can even take walking safaris with expert guides as a chance to get close to these magnificent but endangered big cats.

Bengal tiger

Despite the numbers, the chances of seeing a tiger in Chitwan National Park are still low; not only will they avoid humans, but the dense vegetation can make it tricky to spot one camouflaged in the undergrowth. Early morning jeep safaris tend to give you the best chance, while the driest months of March and April mean there’s less undergrowth to hide in, while the heat tempts them out to drink at water holes.

One of the world’s smallest bears, around 250 sloth bears live in Chitwan National Park, moving between the hills and the river floodplains throughout the year. These elusive bears are tricky to spot, although they’re often picked up by tiger camera traps, and it’s thought their numbers are also increasing.

Sloth bear

Primarily nocturnal, they do come out during the daytime to forage for insects and fruit when there are few people around, but otherwise tend to prefer the darkness. This makes it particularly tricky to spot any of the park’s bears, although the best time to see them is from March to May when they can be found around water holes, or by taking longer jeep safaris into the more remote interior, including around the park’s rivers.

On-horned rhinoceros

One of the highlights of a visit to Chitwan National Park is a chance to see some of the last populations of Indian one-horned rhinos. There are currently around 600 in the park, so with an expert guide, there’s a good chance of seeing one. They often head to water sources in the early morning or late afternoon, so this can be the best time to spot a rhino, whether you choose a jeep safari, guided jungle walk, or canoe trip on the river. Numbers have risen from under 100 in the 1970s, thanks to conservation projects, including anti-poaching patrols, community engagement, habitat management and regular monitoring.

There are only around 250 wild elephants in Nepal as a whole, with around 50 living in Chitwan National Park – the majority of elephants live in breeding centres rather than in the wild. Numbers are rising thanks to anti-poaching measures, while unethical practices such as riding elephants are being phased out. While it’s tricky to spot one of the wild elephants, many of whom live at higher altitude, most visitors will be able to see them at the centres within the park and you could be lucky enough to spot one bathing in the rivers.

Some of the most entertaining inhabitants of Chitwan National Park, you won’t struggle to spot the two species of monkey living here. The Hanuman langurs tend to prefer the higher branches, although you’ll often spot Rhesus Macaques closer to the ground. It’s usually easier to see the macaques, who seem as curious about humans as we are of them, but you have a good chance of spying both during your time in the park.

The most common animals in the park, herds of spotted deer (or chital) and the larger sambar deer roam the open grasslands of the park, so there’s an excellent chance of seeing these graceful creatures, especially during the early morning when they graze in the meadows. A vital part of the park’s ecosystem, including as prey for leopards and tigers.

There are well over 500 species of birds in Chitwan National Park, with some counts putting it closer to 550 species, including resident and migratory birds travelling south from Siberia and north from India. Some of the most eye-catching include peacocks and kingfishers, but you’ll also see countless bulbuls, sand martins and barn swallows, storks by the water, plus bee-eaters and warblers, fish eagles, buzzards and vultures. You’ll even spot birds riding on the back of rhinos. All in all, this is the perfect holiday for bird-watchers, who’ll be in heaven at the number of species to spot.

If you love wildlife and the chance to see a different side to Nepal, Chitwan National Park is unmissable. Here’s what else to know before you visit, with our top tips for visiting Chitwan National Park.

• Choose your time wisely: October to March is the dry season, when the weather is best. The later months are slightly better for seeing wildlife, when overnight temperatures aren’t so cold, becoming even better during the pre-monsoon months of April and May if you can tolerate the soaring heat.

• What to wear: Lightweight, breathable layers are best, to help protect you against the sun during the hotter periods and to keep you warm on chilly mornings during the dry season. Neutral colours such as khaki, green, beige or brown work better than bright colours, and sturdy closed-toe shoes are ideal to protect against uneven ground, insects and thorns. Rainwear is useful even outside the monsoon season, as well as insect repellent and SPF. Check out our essential packing list for more tips.

• Respect local culture: Nepalese culture tends to be very conservative, particularly outside the cities; dress modestly, avoid public displays of affection, and respect religious sensitivities during your stay.

• Protect the wildlife: Never feed any of the animals in the park, and ensure you take all rubbish away to be disposed of. Always follow the advice of your guide – these are wild animals, after all, so while most will tend to avoid humans, it’s important to avoid disturbing or alarming them.

• Be an ethical tourist: Protection for elephants is constantly improving in Nepal. Our tours don’t support elephant riding but we do work with local organisations who support local communities who depend on these magnificent animals and who help preserve the elephant population.

With its wonderful wildlife and unspoiled scenery, no holiday in Nepal is complete without a few days at Chitwan National Park – from sloth bears to one-horned rhinos, even if you’re not lucky enough to spot a tiger. For your chance to experience it first-hand, check out our tours of Nepal which include time at Chitwan National Park.