Nepal is one place that is on the list of every traveller. Even though Nepal is famous for trekking and mountaineering, I had a different story. From the Himalayan views, mesmerising villages, and the golden domes temples, what attracted best national parks in USA me the most was the jungle wildlife. Hence, I decided to head to the Chitwan National Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal. It is famous for sightings of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the One-Horned Rhinoceros. Here is my story of the close encounter with nature in the Chitwan National Park.
Royal Chitwan National Park
The Chitwan National Park is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. It covers an area of 577 sq km. It is located at 150 km from Kathmandu. Reaching the national park was not a task as many tourist buses ply here regularly. The best time to visit Chitwan National Park is from October until March. During this period, many animals venture out to visit the waterholes. Hence, there is a higher chance of spotting them. In the north and west of the protected area lie the Narayani and Rapti rivers.
Once I reached the park, I had pre-booked all my activities. Following are the things you can do in the Chitwan National Park
Jungle walks
You usually need to wake up early to start the walk, as there are higher chances of spotting the animals in the morning. You can also spot many birds and other fauna while on the walk.
A Jeep Drive Safari
This is also one of the best ways to meander around the park. The drives take you through grasslands, rivers, and the Sal forests until Kasara. Kasara is the headquarters of the Chitwan National Park.
Go Canoeing
A Canoe Safari is one of the most exciting ways to spot the Crocodiles resting on the banks of the river. This is an ideal activity for those who love to experience an adrenaline rush.
Visit the Tharu Village
The Chitwan Tharu Village is where the local tribes live. A visit to the village can give you a glimpse of their lives.
Visiting the Elephant Breeding Centre
This Elephant breeding centre is located in Sauraha village. It was set up to protect the endangered Elephants in Nepal. The sight of baby Elephants can warm the heart of any traveller, and it sure did mine.
Where to Stay & Eat in the Chitwan National Park
In my due course of the stay in Chitwan National Park, my accommodation woes were all taken care of by the humble staff at the Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari. I decided to stay at Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari, because jungle safaris can sometimes become tiring. Staying in the outdoors the whole day makes you want to come back to creature comforts in a lodge. My search for resorts in Chitwan National Park landed me at Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari.
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari, the jungle safari resort, is located on the banks of the river Rapti. The lodge has 30 rooms and many guest areas that offer uninterrupted views of the forests. The ambience of the lodge is mostly authentic and local but with a tinge of luxury.
In addition, my dining experiences in Chitwan National Park were like no other. The culinary expertise at Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari, does not disappoint you at all. They give you a local dining experience with the Bada Ghar Dinner and Tharu Village Dinner. A recreation of a small village within the lodge where locals entertain you with their traditional dances while you gorge on dishes like sticky rice, spicy duck, and mustard greens gives a festive vibe to dinner.
Overall, choosing to visit the Chitwan National Park and staying at Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari, were some of the best decisions I could make. If you ever wish to visit the national park, make sure you make yourself busy with the list of things to do as mentioned above and book your stay at Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari.
