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Chitwan Safari Tours & Jungle Experiences in Nepal

Rumble through the grasslands by jeep, glide down the Rapti River in a dugout canoe and walk the jungle with licensed nature guides in Chitwan National Park. Pick one of our set packages, or just send us your dates and we'll fit the safari neatly around your route through Nepal.

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Chitwan in October: good

Clear skies after the monsoon and days near 25–30 °C. Grass is still tall early in the month. Month by month

How to reach Chitwan

Chitwan safari packages and tours

Whether it's a single day in the park or five days in the jungle, plus private trips from Kathmandu and Pokhara, every tour here spells out exactly what's included.

All safari packages

Chitwan Safari 4 Nights 5 Days

Five days at a slower pace: two jeep safaris including a full day, walks with two guides, a tower-free dawn on the river and time to rest between outings.

$310 per personBook now

Special interest tours

Track tigers and rhinos on foot, spend a full day out by jeep, go birding with a specialist, sleep in a jungle tower, or simply slip away on a quiet trip for two.

All special interest tours

Chitwan Full-Day Jeep Safari

Eight hours deep inside the national park, well beyond the half-day loop, with the gharial breeding center at Kasara and a packed lunch on the way.

$95 per personBook now

Unique Chitwan experiences

Short outings you can add to any stay, from a morning with an elephant and its mahout to a peaceful canoe ride and jungle walk.

All Chitwan experiences

Chitwan Jeep Safari, Half Day

A 3–4 hour shared jeep drive into the national park grasslands with a licensed nature guide, leaving in the morning or the afternoon.

$40 per personBook now

A Day with an Elephant

Spend time with an elephant and its mahout: walk alongside on the forest path, help prepare its food and learn how the two work together. No riding.

$70 per personBook now

Six ways to explore Chitwan

Most stays mix two or three of these. A jeep covers the distance, a canoe keeps things quiet, and walking shows you what the others miss.

Jeep safari

The most ground in the least time: grassland, sal forest and waterholes. It's your best chance of finding rhinos and deer.

3–4 hours, or a full day

Canoe ride

Drift down the Rapti in a dugout canoe, past basking crocodiles, kingfishers and storks.

About 45–60 minutes

Jungle walk

Head out on foot with licensed nature guides, reading tracks, calls and all the small details a jeep drives straight past.

Half or full day

Bird watching

More than 540 species have been recorded here, from great hornbills to the rare Bengal florican.

Best November to April

Jungle tower night

A simple watchtower in a community forest: dusk, the sounds of the night, and a dawn walk out.

One night, basic

Tharu villages

Village walks, the Tharu Cultural Museum and the lively evening stick dance in Sauraha.

Afternoon or evening

Hoping for an elephant safari? Here's what's available now, and why things have changed. Or compare every safari type.

Chitwan National Park at a glance

A protected stretch of Nepal's Inner Terai, where sal forest, riverside woodland and tall elephant grass meet the Rapti and Narayani rivers. It's the reason most travelers come, and it really does reward slow, early mornings.

Established
1973, Nepal's first
UNESCO World Heritage
Since 1984
Core area
952.63 km²
Rhinos (2021 count)
694 in Chitwan
Tigers (2022 count)
128 in Chitwan
Birds recorded
More than 540 species

Read the full Chitwan National Park guide

Why plan your Chitwan safari with us

We only do one destination, and that's Chitwan. So here's what you can expect from us, whether you book a tour or ask us to put a plan together.

  • Prices you can check first

    Every tour page shows a starting price and lists what is and isn't included, so you can compare like with like.

    Browse tours and prices

  • A written price for custom plans

    Book a set tour online, or send us your dates and we'll send back a plan with the full price in writing first. Nothing is charged until you confirm.

    Ask for a plan

  • Licensed nature guides

    Park rules say activities inside Chitwan National Park must be led by licensed nature guides, and ours always are. Walks go out with two.

    About Chitwan National Park

  • Honest wildlife odds

    We'll tell you what you're likely to see and what's rare. Nobody can promise you a tiger, and we won't either.

    Wildlife and sighting odds

  • Routes that fit your Nepal trip

    We'll slot Chitwan in between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini, by private car or with clear tourist bus advice.

    How to get to Chitwan

  • Responsible wildlife viewing

    No baiting, no chasing, and permitted tracks only. Here's how we run our safaris, and what you can do too.

    Our responsible travel notes

What you're likely to see

Here's an honest look at your chances. Wildlife keeps its own schedule, so think of these as odds rather than promises.

  • One-horned rhinoSeen on most trips

    Grazing in the grassland or wallowing near water, and often seen right from the jeep.

  • Spotted and hog deerSeen on most trips

    Herds along the forest edges; their alarm calls often give a hidden predator away.

  • Mugger crocodileFairly common

    Basking on the sandbanks, and best seen from a canoe in the cooler months.

  • GharialOccasional

    Only occasionally seen in the wild, but you can see captive gharials up close at the Kasara breeding center.

  • Sloth bearOccasional

    Shy and mostly out early or late, so you're more likely to meet one on longer outings.

  • Bengal tigerRare

    128 live in the park, but sightings are uncommon. Tracks and alarm calls are the usual clues.

See the full Chitwan wildlife guide

How long to stay in Chitwan

Each length of stay has its own sample program, a list of what's included and the tours that fit it.

Help me choose
1day

Chitwan safari day tour

Perfect if you're already in Sauraha, or just passing through between cities.

1night

1 night, 2 days

A sunset, a village walk and one early-morning safari before you move on.

2nights

2 nights, 3 days

The stay most first-time visitors choose, with a whole safari day in the middle.

3nights

3 nights, 4 days

Room for a full-day jeep safari, bird walks and a second go at everything.

The best time to visit Chitwan

The park is open for most of the year, but every season changes what you'll see and how you'll feel out there.

Weather by month
  1. JanCool
  2. FebPrime
  3. MarPrime
  4. AprHot
  5. MayVery hot
  6. JunMonsoon
  7. JulMonsoon
  8. AugMonsoon
  9. SepClearing
  10. OctGood (this month)
  11. NovGood
  12. DecCool

Best wildlife monthsGood, cool morningsHot, good near waterMonsoon, limited routes

Chitwan as part of a bigger Nepal trip

Most people visit Chitwan somewhere between Kathmandu and Pokhara, or as a reward after a trek. These guides show how all the pieces fit together.

Plan your Chitwan trip

All the practical answers you need before you book: what it costs, where to sleep, what to pack and how to stay safe.

Chitwan safari questions

Where is Chitwan, and how do I get there?
Chitwan National Park is in Nepal's southern lowlands, roughly halfway between Kathmandu and the Indian border. Most visitors stay in Sauraha, on the park's northern edge. It's usually 5–7 hours by road from Kathmandu and 4.5–6 hours from Pokhara, or you can take a short flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur. Our guide to getting to Chitwan covers every option.
How many days do I need for a Chitwan safari?
Two nights suits most first visits: you arrive, enjoy a full day in the park, and leave the morning after. One night works if your schedule is tight, but you'll only get one main safari. Three nights or more makes sense for birders, photographers and anyone hoping for the shier animals. Our guide on how many days to spend compares them side by side.
Will I see a rhino or a tiger?
Most visitors see at least one one-horned rhino, especially on a jeep safari or canoe ride. Tigers are another story, though: around 128 live in the park, but they're shy and sightings are uncommon. Longer stays, full-day jeep drives and the hot months all improve your odds, but nobody can promise you one.
When is the best time for a Chitwan safari?
October to April is the main season, and February and March usually give the best visibility, because grass-cutting opens up the grasslands. April and May are hot but good near water. June to September is the monsoon, when some routes close. Our month-by-month guide has all the details.
What does a Chitwan safari cost?
It depends on how many nights you stay, your lodge, whether your activities are private or shared, and how you travel from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Every tour lists exactly what's included, so you can compare like with like. Our safari cost guide explains each part of the price.
Is a Chitwan safari suitable for children?
Absolutely. Jeep safaris, canoe rides, village walks and the elephant breeding center all work well for families. Walking safaris are better for older children and teenagers who can stay quiet and follow the guide. Do read our safety and family tips before you travel.

More questions and answers

Not sure which safari fits?

Just tell us your dates, where you're traveling from and who's coming along. We'll suggest a plan with the full price, and nothing is charged until you confirm.

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