Planning a trip to Chitwan, step by step

How to use this guide

Planning a Chitwan safari comes down to a handful of decisions, and each one shapes the next. The month you travel affects what you’ll see and what you’ll wear. The number of nights affects which activities fit in. Where you’re coming from decides how you get there. The sections below follow that order and link to a detailed guide for each step.

Chitwan National Park was Nepal’s first national park, established in 1973, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Since lodges inside the park closed in 2012, all visitors stay in villages around its edge, most of them in Sauraha. Everything else follows from that.

1. Decide when to go

Season matters more in Chitwan than in most of Nepal. October and November bring clear skies after the monsoon, though the grass is still tall early on. February and March are often the best months for visibility, as local grass-cutting opens up the grasslands. April and May are very hot but animals gather near water. The June–September monsoon brings heavy rain, leeches and limited park access.

Our guide to the best time to visit Chitwan has a month-by-month table and the best months for rhinos, tigers, birds and photography.

2. Work out how many days you need

Getting to Chitwan takes most of a day from Kathmandu or Pokhara, so the length of your stay makes a big difference. One night gives you an afternoon activity and one morning safari. Two nights adds a full day in the park, which you can give to a full-day jeep drive or to several shorter outings. Three nights or more fits a full-day jeep safari comfortably, plus a jungle walk, birding or a watchtower night.

See how many days to spend in Chitwan for sample plans by trip length.

3. Plan how to get there

Most travelers come by road from Kathmandu (usually 5–7 hours) or Pokhara (usually 4.5–6 hours), by tourist bus or private car. Flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur take 20–25 minutes, then about 30 minutes by road. Coming from India or Lumbini, the drive is around 4–5 hours.

Start with the overview of how to get to Chitwan, then see the detailed route pages: Kathmandu to Chitwan, Pokhara to Chitwan and Lumbini to Chitwan.

4. Choose where to stay

Sauraha has the widest choice, from simple guesthouses to resorts, with restaurants and the riverbank on your doorstep. Quieter villages such as Meghauli, Amaltari and Barauli suit travelers who want a more remote feel. The where to stay in Chitwan guide compares the areas and lodge styles.

5. Set your budget

The main costs are transport, accommodation, park entry (approx. NPR 2,000 per person per day plus VAT for foreign visitors; check current rates), guides and activities. Shared jeeps and the tourist bus keep costs down; private safaris and resorts push them up. Our Chitwan safari cost guide breaks down what to expect.

6. Pack for heat, dust and early starts

Chitwan is low, warm and dusty for much of the year, with cold dawns in winter. Neutral-colored clothes, a warm layer for early jeeps, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and binoculars cover most needs. The Chitwan packing list has a full checklist by season.

7. Know how to stay safe

Chitwan is a relaxed place to visit, but it is a wild area. Rhinos can wander into Sauraha at night, walking safaris need careful guiding, and heat and insects need some thought. Read is Chitwan safe for practical advice, including tips for families with children.

Before you go: read up on the wildlife

Knowing what lives in the park makes every outing more rewarding. Chitwan is home to most of Nepal’s greater one-horned rhinos, a population of Bengal tigers, two kinds of crocodile, sloth bears, leopards, several species of deer and more than 540 recorded bird species. Our Chitwan wildlife guide explains what you’re likely to see and where.

Quick planning checklist

• Pick your month and check what conditions to expect.
• Choose 2–3 nights if you can.
• Decide on bus, car or flight, and book tourist bus seats a day ahead in busy months.
• Book your lodge and activities early for October–November and February–April.
• Bring enough Nepali rupees; ATMs in Sauraha can be unreliable.
• Pack a warm layer for winter mornings and insect repellent year round.
• Arrange a licensed nature guide for any activity inside the park.