How to See Tigers in Nepal: A Guide to Finding the Bengal Tiger

In Search of Tigers in Nepal

Seeing tigers in Nepal would be sure to be a highlight in the life of any wildlife enthusiast.

Nepal is renowned for its stunning landscapes, from the towering Himalayas to lush jungles. However, one of the country’s lesser-known treasures lies deep within its forests: the majestic Bengal tiger. 

Nepal is home to a significant population of these iconic big cats, and many enthusiastic wildlife watchers set out each year, hoping to catch a glimpse of this elusive animal. 

This guide will provide insights on where and how to see tigers in Nepal, as well as some tips to make the most of your experience.

A Little Disclaimer…

It’s worth noting from the outset that I apply the word “elusive” deliberately. 

These animals are difficult to track and fantastically camouflaged. Sightings are relatively rare and far from guaranteed. 

Managing your own expectations from the outset is the best way to enjoy this trip. Go with the hope of spotting a tiger, but the intention of enjoying all the wildlife that this area has to offer.

Why See Tigers in Nepal?

Nepal’s conservation efforts have made it a leading nation in preserving tiger populations.

Nepal has managed to TRIPLE its tiger population within a period of 12 years. It’s now focussing efforts on ensuring that the tigers are able to coexist peacefully and safely with human populations.

Seeing tigers in Nepal is about more than just spotting an endangered species. It’s about appreciating the efforts of conservationists, park rangers, and local communities who work to ensure that these creatures can thrive in their natural environment.

All The Practical Things

Where To Go

There are a few different places you can go to see tigers in Nepal. Here, we are going to focus on just one: Chitwan National Park.

Chitwan is home to over 100 tigers- the most of any of the reserves.

It’s by far the most population destination and therefore the most accessible for most tourists.

How to Get There

From Kathmandu, you have three options to get to Chitwan National Park.

1. Fly- the fastest option. Regular flights take on on a 20-25 minute trip from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Bharatpur Airport. From there you have either get a taxi or arrange a transfer with your hotel.

2. Get a bus- the cheapest option. Expect the journey to take 5-7 hours. Tourist buses cost a bit more than local buses but are far more comfortable. These mostly depart in the mornings so check the times before you travel. Local buses leave throughout the day.

3. Drive- the most convenient option. Depart whenever you like and make stops whenever you like, then arrive directly at your final destination. I’d recommend hiring a car rather than driving yourself as road conditions are tricky.

I booked the Chitwan National Park Extension tour through Intrepid, which included private car hire directly from your accommodation. 

Some Words of Warning…

Be aware that timings should be treated as somewhat…elastic.

The road is poorly maintained and congested, and regular crashes can cause traffic jams that last for hours. We heard horror stories of the journey taking nearly 24 hours in one instance (although I think this would be rare).

Likewise, flights can be easily affected by weather in Nepal and conditions can change rapidly. Even if conditions are good at the time of your flight, cancelled flights earlier in the day can result in considerable delays.

Leave loads of extra time for travel in both directions, and leave an extra day’s buffer if you are flying home out of Kathmandu right after your trip.

Hotels

The town outside Chitwan is called Sauraha. Here, you’ll find loads of hotels all offering different packages.

On our tour, we stayed at Green Mansions Jungle Resort, which I would highly recommend. Even if you book independently you can get packages with all your activities and food included.

The rooms were lovely, the food was great and the staff were excellent. They offered a mixture of wildlife watching and cultural experiences.

When To Go

To maximise your chances of seeing tigers in Nepal, plan your visit between February and May, which is the dry season. 

During this time, vegetation is lower, water sources are limited, and tigers are more likely to emerge from dense cover to hunt or drink at water holes. 

Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) as heavy rains make travel challenging, and the dense foliage makes wildlife sightings more difficult.

Ways to Spot Tigers in Nepal

There are a variety of different ways that you can move around the national park, in search of tigers. 

Jeep Safari

One of the best ways to see the park is on a jeep safari. Over the course of a few hours, you’ll see a large area of the park, following pre marked trails.

The drivers communicate with one another to try to maximise sightings. 

In order to ensure that the animals aren’t constantly interrupted by a trail of cars, there is only one opportunity per day for the jeeps to enter the park. Make sure you’re ready to go on time to secure your spot.

Walking Tour

Walking tours take you into the jungle on foot.

Whilst this has the benefit of being much quieter than the jeep, it should be acknowledged that this does come with risks. People can, and do, get hurt, as there is no protection from wild animals. 

As a result, some hotels do not offer this option, so if it’s something you’re specifically interested in doing, be sure to check before you go.

River Tour

This is another great way to see the jungle- on a dugout canoe on the Rapti river.

Jump on one of these in the early morning for a fantastic look at wildlife, especially birds and crocodiles.

You are less likely to see the tigers on this tour as they usually come down to the river right at dawn, but there’s always a chance and you never know what you might see.

Elephant Tours

Many operators offer the opportunity to see the park from the back of an elephant. This does come with a few benefits for tourists, but at the cost of the welfare of these animals.

Elephants are often loaded up with far too many people in one go, and you have no way of knowing how that elephants is treated behind the scenes, or how many tours it has been forced to do in a day.

Please don’t be tempted by this kind of tour when there are so many better options available. 

Enjoy the Other Wildlife

Seeing tigers in Nepal is an undoubted bucket list experience. But sightings are rare and far from guaranteed. 

Remember to take in where you are and enjoy the opportunity to witness Nepal’s other incredible wildlife whilst you are there.

Nepal has so much to offer aside from tigers, so go free of expectations and take any sightings as a huge bonus.