Chitwan’s two crocodiles: the gharial and the mugger
The gharial in Chitwan is one of the world’s most threatened reptiles, while the mugger crocodile is a familiar sight on the Rapti’s sandbanks. Here’s how to tell them apart, where to see each one and what’s being done to protect them.
- Species
- Gharial and mugger crocodile
- Gharial status
- Critically endangered
- Gharial breeding center
- Kasara, started in 1978
- Easiest sighting
- Muggers on a canoe ride on the Rapti
Meet the gharial and the mugger
Chitwan is one of the few places where you can see two very different crocodilians in a single day. Both are reptiles of the rivers and wetlands, but they eat differently, live in different kinds of water and face different levels of threat.
The gharial is a specialist. Its long, very narrow snout is lined with small, sharp teeth built for catching fish with a sideways snap. Adult males grow a rounded knob at the tip of the snout, called a ghara after the Nepali and Hindi word for a clay pot, and that’s where the species gets its name. Gharials rarely leave the water, except to bask and nest on sandbanks.
The mugger, or marsh crocodile, is a generalist. It has a broad, heavy snout and eats fish, birds and mammals that come down to drink. Muggers are happy in slow rivers, oxbow lakes and ponds, and they often bask on the banks with their mouths open to cool down.
How to tell a gharial from a mugger
| Feature | Gharial | Mugger |
|---|---|---|
| Snout | Very long and thin, like a pair of tongs | Broad and heavy, the shape most people think of |
| Diet | Almost entirely fish | Fish, birds, mammals and carrion |
| Preferred water | Deep, flowing rivers with sandbanks | Slow rivers, oxbow lakes, ponds and marshes |
| Time out of water | Mostly basking and nesting on sandbanks | Basks often and moves overland between pools |
| Status | Critically endangered | Vulnerable, but more widespread |
| Risk to people | Not considered a threat | Can be dangerous; keep away from the water’s edge |
| Where visitors see it | Narayani and Rapti sandbanks; Kasara breeding center | Rapti and Budhi Rapti banks on a canoe ride; oxbow lakes |
Where you see crocodiles in Chitwan
You have three realistic chances to see crocodiles on a typical stay, and each one suits a different kind of trip.
On a canoe ride on the Rapti
Crocodiles in the Rapti River are easiest to see from a dugout canoe. The 45–60 minute ride drifts past sandbanks and muddy banks where muggers bask, often only a few meters away. Gharials turn up here occasionally too. You’ll find details of put-in points and timing on our canoe ride page.
Along riverbanks and oxbow lakes
Jeep drives and walks often pass oxbow lakes and river channels where muggers lie on the banks. Only approach the edges when your guide says so, and never walk along the water line. Muggers sit still for long periods and are easy to miss until they move.
At the gharial breeding center in Kasara
The breeding center next to the park headquarters at Kasara is the surest place to see gharials, from hatchlings to adults. It’s a common stop on a full-day jeep safari, which travels deep into the park. You can also reach Kasara by road from the western side of the park.
What else you see on the river
Crocodile viewing comes with plenty of other wildlife thrown in. A canoe ride on the Rapti often passes kingfishers, herons, storks and cormorants, and in winter migrant ducks gather on the quieter stretches. Smooth-coated otters are seen now and then, and rhinos and deer sometimes come down to drink.
Early mornings in winter can be misty, which is lovely for atmospheric photos but means the crocodiles may wait for the sun before hauling out to bask. Sensible creatures. Late morning on a sunny day is often a good time to find them on the sandbanks.
Why the gharial needs help, and what Chitwan is doing
Gharials need clean, deep rivers with undisturbed sandbanks for nesting. Dams, sand mining, fishing nets, pollution and changes in river flow have made that habitat scarce across South Asia, and the species is listed as critically endangered.
The gharial breeding center at Kasara started in 1978. Staff collect eggs from wild nests, where survival rates are low, hatch them safely and raise the young until they’re big enough to have a better chance in the river. The young gharials are then released into the Narayani, Rapti and other rivers in Nepal.
Muggers are more adaptable and more widespread, but they also depend on healthy wetlands. Both species benefit from the wider protection of Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone.
Staying safe near crocodiles
- Don’t swim in the Rapti or Narayani, and keep children away from the water’s edge.
- Stay seated in canoes and keep your hands out of the water.
- Keep a few meters back from the banks, especially near reeds and muddy slopes.
- Don’t throw food or stones to provoke a reaction.
For more on keeping your group safe during activities, see our Chitwan safety guide.
Fitting crocodiles into your trip
A canoe ride is part of almost every Chitwan stay, so you’re likely to see muggers even on a short visit. To add the gharial breeding center, plan for a full-day jeep drive, which is possible on a two-night stay if you give it the whole middle day, and fits comfortably with three nights. Our 2 nights 3 days package combines a canoe ride, jeep safari and walk. And for other species to look out for on the same outings, see the Chitwan wildlife guide.
Information reviewed 1 October 2026. Park rules, fees and road conditions change; we confirm current details when you book.
Safaris for wildlife watching
Live prices and dates from our booking system.
Chitwan Safari Package 2 Nights 3 Days
The stay most first-timers pick: two nights, a jeep safari, a canoe ride, a jungle walk and a slow evening by the river.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a gharial and a crocodile?
Can you visit the gharial breeding centre in Kasara?
Will I see crocodiles in the Rapti River?
Are the crocodiles in Chitwan dangerous?
Keep planning
Canoe ride
Drift down the Rapti in a dugout canoe for river birds, crocodiles and a lovely, quiet start.Wildlife
The animals of Chitwan, where you’ll usually find each one and your realistic chances of a sighting.Jeep safari
Half-day and full-day jeep drives explained, with timelines, seat tips and advice on booking.Chitwan National Park
Where the park is, what lives there, how you can explore it and the rules every visitor follows.2 nights, 3 days
Our most popular Chitwan stay: one full park day with jeep, canoe, walk and Tharu culture.
Tell us your dates and we'll plan the rest
Send your travel dates, where you're coming from and what you'd like to see. You'll get a clear plan and a full price before you pay anything.