Chitwan National Park Safari (2 Nights, 3 Days)
Rhinos at the river’s edge, canoes at dawn and Tharu culture — the perfect break after a trek.
Trip at a glance
- Duration
- 3 Days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Start / End
- Kathmandu or Pokhara / Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Best season
- Oct–Apr (Feb–Apr for wildlife)
- Accommodation
- Jungle lodge in Sauraha
- Meals
- All meals at the lodge
- Transport
- Private car or tourist bus (flight on request)
Overview
Highlights
- One-horned rhinoceros grazing along the Rapti river
- Canoe trip past mugger and gharial crocodiles
- Jeep safari deep into the park’s grassland and sal forest
- Bird watching — Chitwan has more than 500 species
- Tharu village walk and cultural evening
- Sunset over the Rapti from Sauraha
The Chitwan National Park safari is a 3-day trip from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Nepal’s first national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the one-horned rhinoceros. You stay in a jungle lodge in Sauraha on the edge of the park and explore it by jeep, by dugout canoe on the Rapti river and on foot with a licensed naturalist.
It is the easiest wildlife trip in Nepal and the perfect way to relax after a trek in the mountains. The itinerary focuses on jeep, canoe and walking safaris, which get you close to wildlife quietly.
Want somewhere wilder? Try our Bardia National Park Safari in the far west.
Itinerary
Walking times are for an average pace with breaks. Your guide adjusts the day to the group and the weather.
Day-by-day at a glance
| Day 1 | Travel to Chitwan, Tharu village and sunset | |
|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Canoe trip, jungle walk and jeep safari | |
| Day 3 | Bird watching and departure |
-
Day 1: Travel to Chitwan, Tharu village and sunset 5–6 hrs drive Jungle lodge
- Overnight at
- Sauraha
- Walking / travel
- 5–6 hrs drive
- Accommodation
- Jungle lodge
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Drive from Kathmandu (or Pokhara) to Sauraha. After lunch, walk through a Tharu village and watch the sunset over the Rapti river. Tharu cultural dance in the evening.
-
Day 2: Canoe trip, jungle walk and jeep safari Full day Jungle lodge
- Overnight at
- Sauraha
- Walking / travel
- Full day
- Accommodation
- Jungle lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Paddle down the Rapti in a dugout canoe watching for crocodiles and kingfishers, then a guided jungle walk. In the afternoon, a jeep safari into the park for rhinos, deer, wild boar and — if you are very lucky — a tiger or sloth bear.
-
Day 3: Bird watching and departure Morning activity, 5–6 hrs drive
- Walking / travel
- Morning activity, 5–6 hrs drive
- Meals
- Breakfast
An early bird-watching walk along the river, then breakfast and the drive back to Kathmandu or on to Pokhara.
What’s included
One clear price for the trek itself. Anything that varies from person to person is listed as not included, so there are no surprises.
Included in the price
Transport
- Private car or tourist bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara and back
Accommodation
- Two nights in a jungle lodge in Sauraha
Meals
- All meals during the safari
Activities
- Jeep safari
- Canoe trip on the Rapti river
- Guided jungle walk
- Bird watching
- Tharu village walk and cultural show
Permits & fees
- National park entry fees
- Licensed naturalist guide
Not included
Travel
- Travel insurance
- Flights to Bharatpur (available on request)
Personal
- Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
- Tips for your guides and lodge staff
Dates & price
Group size discounts
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $330 |
| 2–3 people | $290 |
| 4–7 people | $280 |
| 8–12 people | $270 |
| 13+ people | $260 |
Dates don’t line up? Send a request for any date — we’ll make it work. Sending a request is free and doesn’t commit you to pay.
Packing list
39 items, grouped the way you dress on the trail. Your porter carries the main bag; you carry a 25–35 L daypack with water, layers, snacks and documents.
Head & face 4 items
- Sun hat or cap
- Buff or bandana for dust
- Category 3–4 sunglasses with UV protection
- Headlamp or small torch
Upper body 3 items
- 2–3 quick-dry trekking shirts (no cotton)
- Fleece or light insulated jacket
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket
Hands 1 item
- Light gloves for cool mornings (Dec–Feb)
Lower body 4 items
- 2 pairs of trekking trousers
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Comfortable trousers or shorts for the evenings
- Underwear (quick-dry)
Feet 2 items
- Closed walking shoes in muted colours
- 3–4 pairs of trekking socks (wool or synthetic)
Bags & sleeping 3 items
- Day bag for the jeep and walks
- Reusable water bottles or bladder (2 L total)
- Dry bags or zip bags for electronics and documents
Electronics & documents 6 items
- Passport with 6 months’ validity and spare passport photos
- Copy of your travel insurance policy
- Phone and charging cable
- Power bank (charging costs extra higher up)
- Universal adaptor (Nepal uses type C, D and M sockets)
- Some cash in Nepali rupees for snacks, showers and tips
Toiletries 5 items
- Biodegradable soap and travel towel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- SPF 50 sunscreen and SPF lip balm
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Toilet paper (not supplied in most lodges)
Medicines & first aid 6 items
- Your personal prescription medicines
- Rehydration salts
- Blister plasters and tape
- Painkillers and anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Water purification tablets or a filter bottle
- Insect repellent with DEET and antihistamine
Optional extras 5 items
- Snacks from home (energy bars, nuts)
- Camera and spare memory cards
- Book, cards or e-reader for evenings
- Binoculars for birding and wildlife
- Earplugs for thin teahouse walls
Rent instead of buying. Down jackets, sleeping bags and trekking poles are easy to hire in Kathmandu and Pokhara for a few dollars a day. Ask us at the trip briefing and we’ll point you to shops we trust.
Before you go
Permits
National park entry fees, activity permits and the services of a licensed naturalist guide are included. Fees are paid per day at the park office, so your guide handles this on arrival.
Difficulty and preparation
Easy and suitable for all ages. The jungle walk is on flat ground but can be hot. Wear muted colours, closed shoes and a hat, and bring insect repellent.
Best time to go
October–March is comfortable and good for birds; February–April is best for wildlife, when the tall grass is cut and animals come to the rivers. From June to September the parks are hot, wet and partly closed to jeep safaris.
Accommodation and food
You stay in a family-run jungle lodge close to the park, in rooms with attached bathrooms. Meals are served buffet-style or from a set menu, with Nepali, Indian and continental dishes. Vegetarian and other diets are easy to arrange — tell us when you book.
How to book
Send a free booking request with your preferred dates and group size — there is no payment online. A trip expert replies within 24 hours to confirm availability, finalise your itinerary and send a written quote. Once everything is agreed we explain how to pay the deposit. Questions first? Message us on WhatsApp or read how we run our treks.
Questions trekkers ask
How do I get to Chitwan?
Sauraha is about 5–6 hours by road from Kathmandu or Pokhara. We use a private car or the tourist bus; a 25-minute flight to Bharatpur can be arranged on request.
Will I see a rhino?
Very likely — Chitwan has a healthy population of one-horned rhinos and most visitors see at least one, often from the canoe or the riverbank. Tigers are much harder to spot.
When is the best time to visit?
October to April is comfortable. February to April is best for wildlife, when the tall grass is cut. From June to September it is hot, wet and some jeep routes close.
Are elephant rides included?
Elephant rides are not part of this itinerary. It is built around jeep, canoe and walking safaris, which many travellers now prefer. A visit to the government Elephant Breeding Centre can be added — just ask.
Is Chitwan suitable for families and solo travellers?
Yes to both. A licensed naturalist guide is required inside the park and is included in the price.
Can I add Chitwan after a trek?
Yes — it is the most popular add-on. Tell us your trek dates and we’ll schedule Chitwan straight after, ending in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Do I pay anything when I send a booking request?
No. The request is free and doesn’t commit you; we reply within 24 hours with confirmed dates and a quote.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask the guide who leads this trek.
Plan your trek
Guides for the Chitwan National Park Safari (2 Nights, 3 Days)
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Free trip planning
Questions about the Chitwan National Park Safari (2 Nights, 3 Days)?
Ask about dates, fitness, permits or a custom itinerary. The guide who leads this trek will answer — free and without obligation.
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