It is unbelievable that west Nepal is still virtually unexplored, and thus remains surprisingly untapped for tourism to this day. Among its sparkling gems is the Royal Bardiya National Park - a quiet sanctuary, beautifully situated amidst its own 968 sq km of area in mid-far western Nepal. Considered as one of the most picturesque and varied national parks in Asia, it teems with rich and varied fauna and flora. The park area is home to the unique and indigenous Tharu people of west Nepal. The park, a sub-tropical jungle, is largely dominated by sal forests. The rest consists of riverine forests, grasslands, water holes, sandy banks and valley terrains. The north is bordered by the Churia hill range, the west by the snow-fed Karnali river while the Babai river cuts the park almost in the middle. The traditional Tharu villages lie to the southern border of the park.
FAUNA AND FLORA
Diverse animals such as monkeys, leopards and other cats, civets, hyenas, wild dogs, sloth bears, otters, bandicoots, blue bulls (nilgai in Nepali), deer and wild boars roam in the park besides the exotic Royal Bengal tiger, elephant and rhino. Crocodiles, the great game fish - mahseer - and Gangetic dolphin cavort in the river waters. The unique birds include cormorants, egrets, storks, geese, jungle fowls, and kingfishers.
CLIMATE
The park’s climate is affected by the Asian summer monsoon. It is warm and dry between October and early April - the best time to visit the park. Temperatures begin rising from April, peaking in May and June. It is also a period of pre-monsoon thunderstorms. The monsoon rains usually begin in June and continue until late September.
CLOTHING
Clothing, therefore, should be according to the season of your visit. However, layered clothing is advised. Full-sleeved shirts are effective in keeping insects away. Cotton fabrics are comfortable. Woollen sweaters and warm jackets are necessary in winter. specially in the mornings and evenings. Garish and loud prints are discouraged. Clothes with light and neutral colors, which blend well with the landscape are ideal, and therefore recommended. Besides clothes, you should bring your personal medicines, insect repellent and sun cream. Well broken-in walking shoes, bandannas, hats and dark glasses are additional useful items for your jungle and safari enjoyment. In addition to your cameras, a pair of binoculars will also greatly enhance your observation of wildlife.
Because of its still being far from the madding crowds, Royal Bardiya National
Park is yet to be densely dotted with safari resorts and jungle lodges as, say,
in Royal Chitwan National Park. Yet your safari and jungle activities can definitely
be made possible by those few pioneering resorts and lodges operating there
now.