Bardiya National Park Tour – 4 Days

Best Season and Weather

The Bardiya National Park Tour is available all year round, but the most popular times are the autumn (September – November) and spring (March – May). The weather is nice, the skies are mostly clear and wildlife is easier to see around grasslands and rivers during these months.

The nights are cold in winter and the early morning and evening hours are cool with pleasant conditions to enjoy jungle walks and safaris. The summer season is hot and the monsoon season is rainy, affecting some forest trails. Despite this, however, the park turns green and verdant following the rains and thus offers stunning scenery for nature lovers and photographers.

Difficulty

Bardiya wildlife tour is rated as an easy tour for just about all ages. It’s not a challenging trek for climbers and its absence of steep mountain trails or difficult climbs makes it an easy option for families, couples, solo travelers and seniors alike.

The majority of activities feature guided jungle walks, jeep safaris, village visits and short nature walks. The level of fitness required is basic. It is important to listen carefully to your guide and adhere to park rules, particularly during wildlife tracking, for the safety of both yourself and the animals and to maximize the opportunity for viewing wildlife in their natural environment.

Altitude Sickness

The Bardiya National Park Tour is a tour in the lowland Terai, so there is no risk of altitude sickness. The maximum altitude attained is approximately 150 m (492 ft), well below the altitude where altitude-related problems usually occur.

People should pay more attention to staying hydrated and protecting themselves from the sun, rather than the altitude, particularly in warmer months. To stay comfortable during the walk to explore the forests and grasslands, wear light clothing, apply sunscreen and pack adequate drinking water.

Preparation and Fitness

The Bardiya jungle safari is a relatively light preparation safari; activities are easy and suitable for the majority of the visitors. Useful items to bring for the trip include comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle.

Some walking will be involved in the jungle explorations and regular daily activity will normally be sufficient preparation. For those who love wildlife photography, binoculars and a camera are recommended for Morning Star Treks. During jungle activities, it is best to follow your guide’s advice so that you may enjoy it safely and comfortably.

Food and Accommodation

For the Bardiya National Park Tour, you will be staying in a comfortable Hotel or Lodge with clean rooms and modern facilities. Most properties provide a peaceful atmosphere for you to come back to after a day of wildlife pursuits.

Typically, some Nepali food, some Indian food, some oriental food and some continental food are offered together. Seasonal vegetables, rice, bread, noodles, meat and fruit are usually available. Vegetarian meals are available, typically with advance notice. Bottled or filtered water is advised for the entire tour to keep healthy and hydrated.

Transportation

The Bardiya wildlife tour includes domestic flights, private road transfers and transportation within the national park. People travelling to Bardiya usually fly from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Nepalgunj and then drive to Bardiya, which is easier and more comfortable.

In the park, transport will depend on planned activities within the park. In addition to guided jeep safaris, jungle walks enable visitors to observe wildlife and nature up close and personal. Morning Star Treks will arrange transportation as per the trip plan and you will be able to travel without worrying about local travel arrangements.

Communication

Good communication is available in the Bardiya National Park Tour, but may be weaker in the more remote forest areas. The major Nepali mobile networks typically operate in and around the hotels and the villages nearby.

Internet connection is often available but may be less robust than in big cities. Before getting into the deeper parts of the park, you may want to let your family know you will be going out of cell phone range when you are in the jungle. In general, there is no difficulty in staying connected during the tour.

Permit

To enter Bardiya National Park, one has to possess a national park entry permit for a Bardiya jungle safari. The permit fee assists in the conservation of wildlife, protection of habitat and park management.

Your tour operator will often have all of the necessary permits in place before your activities and will not require you to acquire these permits. It is recommended to have a passport or a copy of your identification, as park officials may request it as they inspect permits at the entrance gate.

Visa

If you are coming from outside of Nepal, you need to obtain a Nepal visa before going on the country tour in Bardiya National Park. A tourist visa is available on arrival at Kathmandu International Airport or at some of the land border crossings for most travelers.

Your passport ought to be valid up to the duration in which you intend to remain. Also, one should monitor the latest immigration policies prior to the departure as there might be a chance that the visa policies and fee may be updated with time.

Travel Insurance

As the Bardiya wildlife tour is not physically demanding, it is highly recommended to take travel insurance. A decent insurance policy will give you monetary protection when unforeseen events interfere with your travel.

Select a coverage that includes medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, flight delays, baggage loss and personal accidents. It is helpful to read the policy before going on a trip and to be aware of what is covered. If you have appropriate insurance, you can have a more relaxed and assured vacation.

Extra Expenses

In the Bardiya National Park tour, most of the major services are covered, but you should have some money set aside for your personal spending. Drinks, snacks, souvenirs, laundry, tips and personal shopping are typically paid separately.

Some optional tours or extras may be added to the regular program. A few small notes of Nepali currency can be handy, as the card payment services may not be available in smaller villages and local stores around the national park.

Private vs Group Trek

The Bardiya jungle safari can be booked as a private tour or a group tour. Private tours offer more flexibility and will let you travel at your own speed and adapt activities to your interests.

A group tour is generally less expensive and you can enjoy it with others who are traveling and get to know them along the way. Both are run by professional guides and organized services. There are options for the style you want that will fit your budget, schedule and preferred means of travel.