Our guide to Bardia national park will help you plan your trip. I’m sure when you think about Nepal you will think of Mount Everest and the Himalayas but it has so much more to offer. 

You won’t find many places left in the world that offer the opportunity to see wild tigers, rhinos and elephants in the same place and walk among them but Nepal(Bardia) is one such place.

Nepal has many national parks with huge amounts of wildlife however Chitwan is probably the most well known but we choose Bardia for that reason.

Why Bardi?

Bardia Is much further and harder to get to than Chitwan however it is much less busy and for us that little bit more special.

We did not visit Chitwan but heard its pretty crowded however you have an excellent chance of seeing rhinos and lots of tourists.

Our own experience in Bardia was incredible. We saw very few tourists and managed to see a heard of elephants, two rhinos and a tiger amongst other smaller wildlife. Now, of course, this is down to luck but we found the guides in the park to be amazing.

All of the guides were very respectful and just as excited to see the animals as we were. The guides communicate with each other to help ensure their guests the best time by seeing as much wildlife as possible.

Bardia is also very rural and relaxing and is only just becoming more mainsteam, We highly recommend it for an amazing all-around adventure.

When is the best time to go?

Mid September – mid December and the start of February – End of May

Things to do inside the park.

Guided jungle walk

Entering the national park on foot was one of the best experiences we had in Nepal. Just knowing these wild animals are in the forests around you and seeing there tracks was incredible.

We recommend at least 1 or 2 days of jungle walking and if you are  lucky enough you might see wild elephants as well as crocodiles,deer,tigers and rhinos.

Be prepared to be patient and wait at several hiding spots to catch sight of the animals.

Full day 4000 – 3000 NPR depending on group size. Half day is also available.

Jeep Sarfai

Jeep tours are more expensive however it allows you to visit other areas of the park. We loved it. taking the jeep allows you to see a lot of animals whilst driving along before stopping and walking a short distance to sit and wait to see the animals.

We saw a tiger and two rhinos as well as the monkeys, birds, deer, otters and many birds.

Full day 14000 – 6250

Camping inside the park

We didn’t camp in the park because it was quite expensive but the people we met said it was a fantastic experience. There are several options to camp from 1 night to several nights and the chance to stay in a tree house. Prices start around 26500 per person based on 2 people.

Crocodile breeding centre

Head into the park to find the breeding centre for the endangered crocodiles. You can stop here and these crocodiles on your way into the jungle or on the way out. The entrance is included in the entrance fee to the park.

See the rhino

Inside the park, you have the change to see a captive one-horned rhino up close. The rhino is blind and therefore kept captive for its own safety.  It costs no extra to see the rhino and again it can be seen on your way into the jungle. 

Outside the park

Elephant Breeding Centre

Bardia has a small breeding centre for captive elephants. If you don’t agree with working animals then I would advise not going here although they are only used for patrolling the park and not for tourist rides.

The elephants are taken into the national park to graze during  10 – 4 so don’t go during the day. We sat outside the centre at the back next to the river around 3 pm and the elephants came walking back.

We didn’t want to go inside but could not resist catching a glimpse of the elephants on their way back. 

Sunrise cafe and bar

This little bar is located opposite the breeding centre and offers everything from good coffee to whisky but above all the owner is a really nice guy.

Countryside Walks

Starting at Bardia homestay, you have several options for local walks which take in some of the beautiful countryside while offering the chance to see how locals live. Details of the walks can be found at Bardia homestay by asking the owners or finding the maps in the visitor’s guides.

Where to stay?

You will find many good lodges in the area offering similar packages. We stayed at Bardia homestay which we highly recommend. The rooms as perfect because they are very comfortable with warm showers and wifi. Finally, the food is delicious at very good prices.

The owners Sonja and Budi are amazing people and the same can be said for the staff. Everyone made us feel so welcome while all the time making sure we are comfortable. Sonja and budi also helped us by booking our jungle trips and giving great advice for our onward journey to India. Dinner is served around a cosy campfire making you feel completely at home.

Room rates: 1200 NPR per night or 1000 NPR per night for 4 or more nights.

How to get here?

Bardia national park is located close to the Indian border in south-west Nepal. It’s around 80KM from the closest airport. The closest town where you will find the majority of guest houses is called thakurdwara which is 15KM from ambassa where buses will drop you.

You have several options:

Option 1: Domestic  Flight (Nepalgunj is the nearest airport)

• From Kathmandu – Nepalgunj
• From Pokhara – Nepalgunj

From the airport:

• Jeep transfer – 2 hours. Best to arrange with your hotel or lodge (appx 6500NPR)
• Bus – 4 -5 hours. But do not run very regular.

Option 2: Bus

Most buses will drop you at Ambassa which is around 15KM from thakurdwara. From Ambassa you can catch a local bus but they do not run all day.

A tuk-tuk (700NPR), motorbike and jeep are the other options available. The bus from Pokhara arrives in Ambassa around 4.30AM.

Our lodge arranged our pick up but you can find tuk-tuks waiting to take you to a lodge if you don’t have anything pre-arranged. If your bus takes you to Thakurdwara the lodges are around 2 – 3 KM away if you don’t mind the walk.

• Pokhara – Ambassa (14 – 16 hours) 1200NPR per person departs 1 pm and 1.30 pm

These buses are local buses and not tourist. It leaves from the old bus park which cost us 300NPR by taxi from the lakeside. We took this bus and it was comfortable and clean. It stopped for toilet breaks and food. It cost 1200NPR booked through our guest house in Pokhara.

• Kathmandu – Ambassa / Thakurdwara (14 – 18 Hours) 1500 NPR. 5 buses between 1 – 5 pm
• Narayangarh – Ambassa ( 9 hours) 750NPR. Depart midnight and 4 pm

Option 3: Private vehicle or jeep

Shop around and you may find a good deal if you want to take a jeep. Try to find others interested so you can share the cost.

• From Kathmandu (11 – 13 hours) Approximately 35000 NPR
• From Pokhara (10 – 12 hours) approximately 30000 NPR

What did we spend?

Bus to Bardia – 1200NPR Each

Tuk tuk from Ambassa – 700NPR Split

Room rate – 1000 NPR per night

5 nights – 5000NPR Split

Walking tour – 3250 NPR Each

Jeep tour – 7000 NPR Each

Breakfast – 200 NPR each per day

Dinner – 250 – 350 each per day

Bus to India – 200NPR

What to pack?

We had our usual travel backpacks and clothes so really just made do with what we had. You can wear anything you like as long as it is dark colours like greens, greys and blacks. DO NOT WEAR BRIGHT CLOTHING as the animals may spot you and lower your chances of seeing anything.

TAKE:

• Sun cream and bug spray
• A warm jumper for early morning safaris
• Hat and sunglasses
• Water and snacks

Can I go to India from Bardia?

Yes as long as you have a pre-arranged visa in your passport. You cannot get a visa at the border and you cannot cross this border using an electronic tourist visa.

We crossed the Nepalgunj border. To get here we took a bus from ambassa and then a tuk-tuk for the last part to reach the border crossing.

You must go to immigration before reaching the border. It is a white building on the right-hand side.

Once you cross the border you must go to the Indian immigration which again is on the right-hand side (this is not a popular tourist crossing so it is very relaxed and chaotic).

After getting across the border, we had to take a shared taxi to Lucknow because we couldn’t find a local bus. The cost was 500 Indian Rupees for 2 people.