Loading search...
Regarding our extension to Suklaphanta National Park - we had a great time and thank you so much for recommending it... it really made our holiday. The lodge is lovely and there is now electricity in the tents (so you can charge phones etc there as well as see at night!) and constant hot water in the showers etc. The food was great, tents comfortable and the staff were lovely. The local guide, Dipendra prasad Bhatt, was a star and really knew his way round the park and the best places to go. We were the only people in the park so had the whole place to ourselves. We were very lucky to have two Tiger sightings - one from a viewing tower in the long grass, and the other from the bank of the river. We were able to spend a long time just watching the Tigers with no one else impeding our view etc. We would thoroughly recommend this extension. It really made the trip to have two further tiger sightings. We felt very lucky to stay somewhere so unspoilt and with such lovely staff and surroundings. The park is teeming with wildlife and really worth a visit. L.D. London
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Nepal - Tigers of Chitwan & Bardia National Parks
Tour Code: NPL21A 12-day, two-centre holiday that goes in search of Tigers and other spectacular wildlife in two of Nepal's finest national parks.
£5,495 (Inc flights)
£4,895
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
India may be the destination best known for the reliability of its Tiger sightings, yet, in the lowland parks of neighbouring Nepal, Tiger densities are often higher and tourist numbers are considerably lower. Here, one is able to explore the domain of the Tiger and its prey on foot, immersing oneself in the sights and sounds of the jungle, which is forbidden in most Indian reserves. The scenery is second to none, the snowbound summits of the high Himalaya dominating the northern horizon. Nepal's Tigers are not as habituated as they are in the parks of central India, and they can be vanishingly elusive amongst their dense habitat of tall elephant grass and tangled riverine jungles, but this just serves to make a Tiger sighting in the country’s wildlife-rich lowlands (known as the 'terai') all the more thrilling and rewarding.
- Search for Tigers in Nepal, where their population is growing rapidly
- Explore two stunning national parks – Bardia and Chitwan – by jeep, boat and on foot!
- See some of Asia’s most spectacular wildlife, including Asian Elephant and Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
- Gharial, Ganges River Dolphin, Sloth Bear & Gaur all possible
- Stay in stylish and luxurious accommodation throughout
- The reserves are home to over 300 species of bird
- Optional 3-night extension to the breathtaking Himalayan foothills, where mountain birds abound
- Add a 2-night extension to Suklaphanta National Park for further Tiger opportunities
India may be the destination best known for the reliability of its Tiger sightings, yet, in the lowland parks of neighbouring Nepal, the densities of this majestic big cat are generally healthier and the pressure from tourism less intense. In this beautiful Himalayan kingdom, one is able to explore the domain of the Tiger and its prey on foot, immersing oneself amongst the sights and sounds of the jungle, which in India is forbidden. Here, too, the scenery is second to none, the snowbound summits of the high Himalaya dominating the northern horizon. Nepal's Tigers may not be habituated, as they are in the reserves of central India, and they may be elusive (as they should be!) amongst the tall elephant grass and dense riverine jungles of the country's national parks, but a Tiger sighting in Nepal's wildlife-rich lowlands (known as the terai) is worth, to the naturalist, a hundred sightings in India to the south.
On this exciting tour we will focus on two of Nepal's very best national parks — Bardia and Chitwan — and stay in two of the country's finest wildlife lodges, Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge in Bardia and Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge in Chitwan. We will search for Tigers and the wealth of other wildlife in these parks on jeep safaris, and in Bardia we will spend time watching from 'blinds', patiently scanning the banks of the broad Karnali River for our quarry at dawn and dusk. We will also enjoy boat trips along slow-flowing rivers and, best of all, we will explore the realm of the Tiger on foot, experiencing the raw essence of the heart of the jungle.
We begin, however, by flying from London to Kathmandu, via Doha, before transferring to the country's finest heritage hotel, Dwarika’s, a fascinating cultural experience in itself and an opulent 5-star oasis in the heart of the bustling city. Expert guides will be on hand for anyone wishing to experience the enthralling sights of the capital — a sensory feast of colours, sounds and people, including some spectacular temples. Other group members may prefer simply to relax by Dwarika’s pool, or treat themselves to a massage in the spa.
The next morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, we will take a short morning flight to Nepalgunj, in western Nepal, from where the dramatic peaks of the Langtang Range are often visible. Refreshments will be provided on arrival, before we begin the 2-hour drive to the exquisite Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge, situated on the very edge of Bardia National Park. Here a 4-night stay will give us ample time to explore the park's Sal forests, grasslands and riverine habitats in which Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Blackbuck, Gangetic River Dolphin and Tiger, not to mention a rich birdlife, may be amongst the highlights.
Our exploration of this wilderness will focus on traditional game drives in 4x4 vehicles, but we will also have the opportunity to cruise the Karnali River on boat safaris, and venture into the forest on foot. This will provide us with a more intimate experience of this wild landscape, and will likely produce some excellent sightings, especially of the more secretive birds that are hard to view from a vehicle. We will enjoy delicious cooked lunches deep within the jungle, while evenings can be spent chatting around an outdoor fire, before moving into the splendid Ghol Gar (Nepalese dining room) for a traditional Nepali dinner.
Leaving Bardia, we will drive eastwards through Nepal's lowland 'terai' to the luxurious Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, our base for a further four nights as we explore Chitwan National Park, one of the Indian subcontinent's finest wildlife havens and backed by the distant snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya. Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant and some of the park's 500 or more Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses are just a few of the mammalian highlights we hope to find here, along with such birds as Great Hornbill, White-rumped Shama and Himalayan Rubythroat.
After a final early morning bird walk we will head to the small airport at Bharatpur for our flight back to Kathmandu, where a single night at Dwarika’s Hotel will precede our departure back home. Nepal is fast becoming a global stronghold for Tigers, and we will hopefully leave with some wonderful memories of the world’s most majestic cat.
For those wishing to stay a little longer in Nepal, we offer a 3-night extension to Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. Perched over 300 metres above the Pokhara Valley, and framed by Himalayan peaks, the lodge nestles in a spectacular setting, and offers some exciting mountain birds including Great Barbet, White-vented Laughing-thrush and Green Magpie.
Outline Itinerary
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
Array
(
[170] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 170
[parent_id] => 165
[level] => 2
[path] => tour-focus/tigers
[title] => Tiger
[alias] => tigers
[description] => Tiger Safaris – Unparalleled 100% Record of Success
Naturetrek has nearly 30 years of experience leading Tiger watching holidays to the Indian subcontinent. With a 100% record of success on our top tours, we’ve shown Tigers to more people than any other wildlife specialists.
Arguably the most iconic and charismatic species on the planet, this enigmatic big cat is a vision of natural perfection. The opportunity to observe the animal in its natural habitat on a dedicated Tiger watching tour is at the top of many people's wildlife wish lists. With almost three decades of expertise leading in India, and the widest range of itineraries available, we have a Tiger tour to suit all interests.
We visit some of the most wildlife-rich reserves in this astonishingly diverse country. Accompanied by the best local naturalist guides and enjoying the security and intimate experiences that come with small group travel, participants enjoy the ultimate thrill of encountering these magnificent wild animals in their own environment.
Superb Tiger Watching with Naturetrek
As the leading operator of natural history tours in India, Naturetrek has a long and proud tradition of enabling clients to experience the very best wildlife viewing opportunities in the subcontinent. Over the past three decades, many hundreds of nature lovers have enjoyed the benefits of our renowned small group itineraries to gain multiple sightings of this beautiful animal in the wild.
Our professionally organised tours take in some of the most famous and wildlife-rich reserves in India, including Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Panna National Parks. Our expert naturalist guides provide the best opportunities for sightings of a wide range of species in these spectacular natural environments.
Two other fantastic national parks – Tadoba and Satpura – can be visited on optional extensions to several of our top Tiger tours. Tadoba is an excellent Tiger watching destination, while Satpura is renowned for intimate encounters with Sloth Bear, Leopard and Dhole (Indian Wild Dog); the park also offers walking safaris and night game drives.
Some of the reasons our tours are so successful:
- 100% sightings on our four top safaris in the last five years
- Small groups escorted by India’s best naturalist guides
- Up-to-date information from wildlife reserves
- Scrupulous attention to detail in choosing a high standard of accommodation
- Excellent local guides monitor the animals’ movement daily to ensure the best sightings
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Tiger holiday?
- A comfortable lodge within a convenient distance from the reserve
- Twice-daily excursions by vehicle (or by foot in Satpura) into the reserves
- A focus on sightings of this wonderful big cat, while also enjoying culture and other wildlife
- The enjoyment of like-minded travelling companions in a small group
Further information on when, where, and how to see Tigers can be found here.
Our specialist recommends...
"I’d recommend our Tiger Marathon tour, which takes you straight into the heart of the jungle on a 13-day safari that combines Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna National Parks, four of India's finest reserves. Since we began the tour we've had 100% sightings! Alternatively, our Tiger Direct itinerary encompasses less travel and also has 100% success rate.”
Rajan Jolly - Operations Manager
New Wildlife Holidays
Our Operations Team are expert naturalists, and are always researching, developing and releasing new tours for our discerning wildlife travellers.
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/6wx9O1cRFQUm/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => New tour [note] => 20 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) [180] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 180 [parent_id] => 165 [level] => 2 [path] => tour-focus/birds [title] => Birdwatching [alias] => birds [description] =>
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/6wx9O1cRFQUm/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => Birds [note] => 02 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) [186] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 186 [parent_id] => 165 [level] => 2 [path] => tour-focus/mammals [title] => Mammal Watching [alias] => mammals [description] =>
Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/6wx9O1cRFQUm/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => Mammals [note] => 08 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) )
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
Related articles
Our dedicated British wildlife photography workshops are aimed at wildlife photographers of varying levels of experience and ability, including beginners with ambitions to learn and improve, keen amateurs looking to hone their skills, and accomplished photographers seeking exceptional photographic opportunities.
Chitwan National Park is one of the world’s most extraordinary nature destinations. Nestled beneath the Himalayas, in an area of remarkable fertility and dense human settlement, this reserve provides a haven for a spectacular abundance of wildlife, including some of Asia’s greatest concentrations of large mammals.
While India’s Tiger population may be unmatched, and the habituation of the Tigers of its most popular Tiger Reserves has made these sanctuaries the most reliable places in which to see this once-elusive cat, it is neighbouring Nepal that now leads the way in the conservation of the species.
Video
