How to Plan a Jungle Safari in Chitwan, Nepal
Looking to spend time in Chitwan, Nepal, filled with safaris and animal sightings? This guide details how to spend 3 epic days in Chitwan, what to expect on safari, and how to pack so that you’re fully prepared for all the adventure.
Chitwan, Nepal, is famed for its wildlife. Rhinos, sloth bears, tigers, leopards, and more make Chitwan a mecca for conservationists and animal enthusiasts. It’s a popular destination for those seeking truly wild adventures in the jungle. Three days in Chitwan is an ideal length of time to safari, canoe, and enjoy a bit of culture in this town in southern Nepal.
During our time in the southern Nepalese town, we were lucky enough to see rhinos, deer, crocodiles, and even a tiger! The sunrises and sunsets every day were breathtaking, and the locals kept us laughing and smiling our entire visit.
As someone who likes to plan though, it was a bit tricky to find thorough logistical-type information about Chitwan and how to spend my allotted time there. I’ve answered all sorts of questions including where to stay, when to visit, and what to see and do in Chitwan to help you arrive feeling more prepared than I did.
when to visit chitwan ↴
Most tourists travel to Chitwan to see wildlife. If that’s you, you’ll want to plan a trip for April and May. This is the end of dry season when all the animals begin gathering at the water. Unfortunately, this is also when it’s melting hot outside. Temperatures are consistently in the mid 40°Cs.
September through March is also a good time to visit, as the heat is more bearable and the start of dry season. During this time of year, the grass begins to die off, making it easier to see the animals without vegetation obstructing views.
how long should you stay chitwan ↴
The duration of your visit will depend entirely on your hunger to see wildlife! We spent four days and three nights there. I feel like this was the right amount of time to squeeze in the activities we wanted to try, allowing for a little chill time during the heat of the day. Ultimately, it was a bit of a whirlwind for us slow travelers, but any longer and I’m not sure what we would have done with our time. Three days is the ideal length of time, in my opinion, and that’s why my suggested itinerary will outline how to do everything in that length of time.
how to get to chitwan ↴
The ‘tourist triangle’ in Nepal consists of Kathamandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. It doesn’t matter what order you visit them in, because there are regular tourist buses and flights between the three. They are all around a 6-hour drive from one another (depending on traffic), but if you can afford a flight I highly recommend booking one to maximize your time in each destination. Our flight from Pokhara to Chitwan took 20-minutes! We flew with Buddha Air for roughly USD $70, but Yeti Air also has internal domestic flights to Chitwan. During high season, you can expect to pay USD $100 per person for a flight, but there are often discounted deals if you book far enough in advance.
Most travel agencies sell bus tickets to Chitwan for between $8-$15 USD per person. Prices increase if you book with a company that includes your lunch. To avoid commission fees, you can go to the bus depot and pay on the bus, but you are not guaranteed a seat. I’d recommend booking ahead with Blue Sky Travels or Greenline.
where to stay in chitwan ↴
Accommodation in Nepal across the board is relatively basic. There are absolutely luxury stays for you to book, but a lot of the midrange and budget hotel options are very comparable. Most accommodation will include airport transfers and breakfasts. Typically, your hotel will also help you book activities and excursions.
Luke and I ultimately ended up staying at Hotel Rhino Land, and we are so happy we did! We booked a package deal that included our accommodation with air-conditioning, as well as all of our meals and activities. We looked at reviews of luxury accommodation, but ultimately it seemed like they offered the exact same thing for 3x the price. Hotel Rhino Land is locally owned and employs local guides that have years of experience. It also no longer offers elephant rides or safaris to its guests, which felt like the right fit for us. Note: as of the publishing date, Hotel Rhino Land does still offer elephant bathing and a trip to the elephant breeding center. Please decline! Simply saying “no” helps these activities get eliminated from hotel offerings in the future.
luxury hotels | $$$
Barahi Jungle Lodge
Jungle Villa Resort
midrange stays | $$
Green Park Chitwan
budget bunks | $
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
what to do in chitwan ↴
All of the activities listed can be booked at travel agencies throughout Chitwan town, or directly through your hotel. As previously mentioned, most hotels and guesthouses will include activities in package deals that work out cheaper!
walking safari
I feel conflicted writing about the walking safaris that are so popular in Chitwan because, in my opinion, they weren’t an enjoyable activity. It felt dangerous and borderline reckless. The more our guides told us about their encounters with the likes of tigers, bears, rhinos, and elephants, the most anxious I got about walking through the thick jungle terrain with nothing but a bamboo stick as protection from potentially lethal, wild animals. At one point we walked up upon a rhino in deep brush and it was making warning grunts. Terrified, the guide told us to run in a zigzag pattern if it charged, as there were no trees nearby. This kind of adrenaline rush is something I’m too old for 😂
jeep safari
A traditional jeep safari was both more comfortable and felt safer than a walking safari. There are half-day and full-day excursions available to book throughout the town. Prices depend on whether you opt for a private safari or book to join a group. Full-day safaris are more expensive.
canoeing
Canoeing offers relaxation and respite in an otherwise adrenaline-packed destination. Sure, there are crocodiles and rhinos bathing themselves along the banks of the water, but the canoes float safely onward. This activity is particularly popular with bird watchers, as a guide accompanies every canoe, sharing information and pointing out various animals and birds.
rent a bike + cycle to 20,000 lake
Renting bicycles is a great budget activity in Chitwan. You can cycle around town, check out a few temples, or pack a picnic and head to 20,000 Lake. The name might seem confusing because there are actually only 56 lakes in Chitwan National Park. Regardless of the misnomer, 20,000 Lake is a great picnic spot that’s just 30-ish minutes from Chitwan town. It makes for a romantic day out. The heat can get intense, so perhaps an early morning or evening trip is best.
watch dancing at the Tharu cultural center
The Tharu cultural house is a can’t miss! This is a great opportunity to watch traditional Tharu dancing by the Tharu people who are an officially recognized ethnic group who are indigenous to Nepal. The cultural center performance fee directly benefits Tharu villages and you’ll get to experience all sorts of music and dancing! Tickets are 200 rupees per foreigner, though this was included in our hotel package.
3-day itinerary for chitwan ↴
This suggested itinerary is based on our own itinerary. I changed bits and pieces to reflect what I recommend to future visitors!
day 1
Arrive at Chitwan airport
Lunch
Walk around Chitwan town
Dinner
Go to Tharu cultural performance
day 2
Breakfast
Morning canoe activity
Lunch
Half-day walking safari - our own walking safari was a full day, and we both felt that it was far too hot to spend an entire day in the sun looking for animals, especially without any cloud coverage or shade. This activity is also quite dangerous, so a full day of being hyper-aware of your surroundings only adds to the exhaustion. Should you choose to embark on a walking safari, I recommend a half-day.
day 3
Early breakfast
Full-day jeep safari
Dinner
Pack to leave in the morning
other tips for chitwan ↴
There are only a few ATMs in Chitwan and all of them charge a withdrawal fee.
The heat is severe in Chitwan, so sun protection is an absolute must.
Mosquitos are vicious! Pack good bug spray to avoid uncomfortable bites.
If you’re going on a walking safari, wear long sleeves and long pants (yes, even in the heat) to avoid scratches from the brush (Luke’s arms got absolutely wrecked).
