Covering an area of 932 km, Chitwan National is located at subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South Central Nepal, some 200 km away from capital Kathmandu. Established in 1973 it was designated as Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. Of all the 18 National Parks in the country, this is the oldest park in Nepal, preserving some of the best wildlife habitat in the subcontinent. The park offers protection to 56 species of mammals including the one horned rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Genetic dolphin, Rhesus monkey, Jackals, Civets, Mongooses and wild bison. There are an estimated 450 species of birds, 126 species of fish, 590 species of butterflies, 45 species of amphibians and 47 species of reptiles in the park. The vegetation consists mainly of moist deciduous forest, with the Sal as dominating tree species. The park is now a popular destination for ecotourists and includes canoeing, elephant rides and guided jungle walks.
▬ Things to do & Places to Visit in Chitwan: ▬
The greatest thrill while at Chitwan is the traditional elephant ride. Taking an elephant ride to the jungle is an experience not to be missed. The lodges inside the park have their own elephants. Usually, three or sometimes four people can ride atop an elephant. Elephant safaris usually start in the early morning or late afternoon .There are also jeep tours available inside the park. The best months for this are from mid-February when the elephant grass has been cut, allowing unobstructed views. It is also possible to take a walk inside the park, provided you are accompanied by at least two guides. Canoeing along the Rapti or Narayani rivers is the most restful way of watching the wildlife especially the aquatic birds and crocodiles. Several lodges arrange visits to nearby Tharu villages. Tharus, the original inhabitants of Chitwan, have their own culture, language and customs which are quite different from that of the Nepalese hill people. A visit to the elephant breeding camp and the gharial breeding centre can also prove to be informative.