
Discover the Best Places and Times to Spot Tigers in Nepal
Of course, it is possible to meet the Royal Bengal Tiger among the vast list of Nepali animals despite the fact that the country is quite small in size. The country currently has 12 national parks, 4 wildlife reserves, and 6 conservation zones to provide suitable habitat for tigers.
The major two breeding grounds for Bengal Tigers are Chitwan and Bardia National Parks. It is also essential to the tropical biome as these Nepal national parks host the tigers being at the apex predators and contribute to maintaining the balance within the plant before herbivore population.
Despite an approximate population of 355 tigers, Nepal is among the top five nations in the world you can go to see tigers. Tigress population in Bardia National Park is 125 and Chitwan National Park is 128. Particularly, Bardia has drawn notice for its outstanding conservation initiatives.
It was successful in garnering accolades for its performance in the TX2 Awards after it had increased its tiger count from less than twenty in 2009 to one hundred and twenty-five in 2022.
Situated to the west of the Terai region, Bardia is a smaller park and a little bit more exceptional compared with Chitwan since it is less touristic and provides a more intimate wildlife experience. The park offers a true feeling of being in the wild due to the area’s lack of dense tourist traffic as opposed to the areas that are teeming with the hustle and bustle of human traffic.
In contrast, Chitwan is famous among tourists because of the reasonable tourism development and easy accessibility. Tiger sightings could be slightly challenging in the Chitwan area because of a higher concentration of tourists.
In Nepal, the dry spring months of March through May are the best times to see tigers. The weather is good, with cooler morning and evening temperatures, and animals are more active during this time.
The absence of water supplies forces animals to gather around waterholes, increasing the chance of tiger sightings, and the diminished foliage makes it easier to detect wildlife. As an alternative, the fall months of September through October present excellent chances as well, since animals frequently seek cover in the water to stay cool on hot days.
In Bardia, the period from February to July is particularly ideal for tiger watching. The warmer temperatures drive tigers to water sources, providing great opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts.
However, tourists should make appropriate plans because the strong summer sun can be difficult. If one avoids the extremely hot months and opts for the dry season, which is from September to December, the climate will be quite comfortable.
Therefore, it can be noted that Chitwan and Bardia National Parks in Nepal are the ideal locations to view Bengal tigers. Bardia is comparatively less touristy and less bustling than Chitwan National Park but offers a calmer and more satisfying wildlife safari experience compared to Chitwan.
The best seasons to go for the highest chances of seeing tigers are the dry spring and fall. Nepal offers a tiger trip that will never be forgotten, whether you decide to visit the serene Bardia or the busy Chitwan.