National Parks of Nepal: Witness the Wilderness

The varied biodiversity of Nepal has bestowed with many rare and unique floral and faunal species residing in different altitude elevation. National Parks of Nepal constitutes on conservation and promotion of wildlife, while the lush green tropical and subtropical forests that lead you to the remote region under artic condition in the lap of the Himalayas is another striking part of National Parks of Nepal.

To witness the incredibly diverse landscape, visit the National Parks of Nepal, where within a distance of hundred kilometers you can travel from the sweltering jungles of plain Terai of the south to the freezing temperature in the Himalayan region in the north.

So, to mark your vacation with the filling of exotic experience, let us unravel the specialties of all the 12 National Parks of Nepal.

Chitwan National Park

Established in 1973, Chitwan National Park is the first National Park of Nepal, and for the magnitude of a varied array of biodiversity it harbors, it has also been granted the status of World Heritage Site.

The park is known for the spectacular landscape covered with lush vegetation and the splendid backdrop of Himalayas. The forested hills and changing river landscapes serves Chitwan National Park as one of the most stunning and attractive parts of Nepal’s lowlands.

To reach Chitwan National Park from Kathmandu, you will find several daily buses from various stations in Kathmandu, which takes around 5 hours to reach. Also, for a quick step, you can take a flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur Airport.

Flora: Chitwan National Park is dominated by sal trees, followed by savanna and grasslands. You will also fin smaller flowering tree and shrub species including rosewood, axlewood, beleric, and elephant apple.

Fauna: To make a count of wildlife in Chitwan National Park, there are more than 700 species of wildlife including some endangered ones like one-horned rhino and Bengal Tiger. With 17 species of snakes, tortoise, and lizards, 113 species of fish and mugger crocodile, 68 mammal species, exploring never ends in this National Park of Nepal. Not to mention, around 600 birds found in here, making it a perfect place for avid bird-watchers.

Bardia National Park

Bardia National Park is the largest and most undisturbed national park of Nepal located in the Terai region. The vast and serene area of this park is perfect for nature walks while witnessing the unique vegetation and looking out for wildlife. 

Rafting, jungle walk, bird-watching, and observing the quaint culture of Rana, Tharu and Dangora are some of the best things to do in Bardia National Park. If you want to have the best experience, the pay a visit in autumn, winter or early summer when the weather is warm and dry, but not too hot. Take either bus or flight to Bardia as per your convenience from Kathmandu.

Flora: Bardia National Park is 70% forest with main grassland, savannah, and riverine forest. There are 839 species of flora, including 173 vascular plant species.

Fauna: With the wide range of vegetations, the park provides excellent habitat for 642 faunal species. There are 23 species of reptile and amphibian, not including mugger crocodile. Likewise, 53 species of mammals include Gangetic dolphin, Bengal tiger, wild elephant, rhinoceros, and swamp deer.

Sagarmatha National Park

Mount Everest all the glory of Sagarmatha National Park; yes, the tallest mountain in the world lies in this very park, making it a prominent National Park of Nepal. Also, inscribed as a World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National park mainly consists of rugged terrain and gorges of high Himalayas, ranging from 2,485 meters to Everest at 8,848 meters. Other prominent peaks are Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Thamserku, Cho Oyu, and Pumori.

The park is mostly walked by the trekkers of Everest region, as it forms a route for Everest Base Camp. There are over 20 villages with over 6000 Sherpas inhabiting in this region for the last four centuries continuing traditional practice of culture and religion like the restriction of animal hunting, slaughtering, and reverence of all living beings.

Flora: Of the total area of the park, 69% is the barren land above 5,000 meters, 28% grazing land, and only the remaining 3% is forested. Rhododendron, birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo, pines, and hemlock, are the different types of vegetation found in different elevation of the park.

Fauna: Wildlife like musk deer, martens, Himalayans thars, langur monkey, Himalayan black bear, red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan wolves amongst others are found in Sagarmatha National Park. Also, 118 species of birds include red-billed chough, yellow-billed chough, blood pheasant, and Himalayan monal. In the high altitude, species adapt themselves living on less oxygen and cold temperature. Himalayan black bear even goes under hibernation during winter where no food is available.

Langtang National Park

Established in 1976 it is the first Himalayan National Park of Nepal and is only 32 km north of Kathmandu Valley. The sacred lake of Gosaikinda and Langtang Valley plays the main attraction of Langtang National Park.

Journeying towards Langtang, the serene and pristine Himalayan landscape will certainly captivate you, while at the same time, you will gain some insight into the lifestyle a culture of Tamangs who predominates this region. As it lies in the proximity of Kathmandu, embarking to Langtang National Park is even easier.

Flora:  There are more than 1,000 plant species in Langtang National Park which includes sal, chir pine, rhododendron, Nepalese Alder, silver fir, hemlock, larch and oak trees.

Fauna: The park is equally diverse in wildlife with 46 mammals species and 250 bird species. Clouded leopard, leopard cat, musk deer, Tibetan sheep, grey wolf, red panda, wild dogs, yaks, wolf are some of the inhabitants of the park. 

Rara National Park

Although Rara National Park is the smallest national park of Nepal, the diverse flora and fauna it homes are really impressive. Rara Lake at an altitude of 2,990 meters is the epitome of attraction for the park.

To venture towards Rara National Park, the popular way is Rara Lake Trek. However, depending on the time you have, you can do jeep tours as well.

Flora: There are 1,070 floral species Rara National Park, which is really astounding for its limited location.  Rhododendron, blue pine, black juniper, and Himalayan cypress are some of the vegetation below 3,200 meters and above it is a mixture of pine, spruce, and fir.

Fauna: 51 species of mammals including musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, Indian leopard, red panda, jackel, yellow-throated marten, Himalayan tahr are found in the park. Also the 241 species of bird, two species of reptiles and amphibians and three species of fish inhabitants the park.

Khaptad National Park

Located in the Far-western region, Khaptad National Park of Nepal allows you to experience the distinctive culture of western Nepal, with of course rich biodiversity. Badimalika Trek in Khaptad National Park has been getting a lot of attention in the current trekking scenario of Nepal.

Flora: Khaptad National Park is also referred to as the living garden of herbs as it homes 224 species of medicinal herbs. With reported 567 species of flora plants, the park represents 11 perfect of flowering plants.

Fauna: As per the record of the park, there are 23 mammals, 287 birds, and 23 amphibians and reptile species. Leopard, Himalayan Black bear, wild dog, and musk deer are some of the wildlife of the park.

Shey Phuksundo National Park

The park is rather known for the mesmerizing beauty of turquoise blue lake of Phuksundo at 3,612 meters. Shey Phuksundo National Park of Nepal is the largest park with spectacular landscapes and scenic view of mountain peaks. 

As the park homes, many Tibetan-influenced settlements, gompas and religious sites keep on appearing. Shey Phuksudno Lake trek is one of the popular treks in Nepal.

Flora: From the extremely diverse vegetational species of Shey Phuksundo National Park, 286 are of ethnobotanical importance. Salix, white Himalayan birch, silver fir, poplar, pine, cedar, and rhododendron are common plants in the park.

Fauna: Endangered animals like snow leopard, musk deer, blue sheep, and grey wolf are the inhabitants of Shey Phuskundo National Park. Six reptiles, 29 species of buttering including the highest flying one and over 200 species of bird including Tibetan partridge, wood snipe, wood accentor are found in the park.

Makalu Barun National Park

Makalu Barun National Park was established as an eastern extension of Sagarmatha National Park, and it is the only protected area in the world with an elevation gain of over 8,000 meters enclosing tropical forest as well as snow-capped peaks. 

Flora and Fauna: The park is recognized for the tremendous diversity of plants and animals. Fifty-six species of rare and endangered flora, 25 species of rhododendron and 47 types of orchids are found in Makalu Barun National Park of Nepal, with wildlife like musk deer, wild boar, snow leopard, and red panda.

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Established in 2002, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is located in the mid-hills on the northern fringe of Kathmandu. The park is a popular one-day hiking route for local people and tourists. 

Flora and Fauna

There are 2,122 floral species including a variety of medicinal herbs, vascular plants, and mushroom. Himalayan goral, rhesus monkey, black-naped hare, masked palm civet, barking deer, wild boar are some of the wildlife in the park. While 318 species of birds include golden-throated barbet, white-gorgeted flycatcher, Eurasian eagle-owl and barred cuckoo-dove.

Banke National Park 

Banke National Park of Nepal is located in the mid-western region and was established in 2010 after its recognition as Gift to the Earth. It is a neighbor to Bardia National Park, and together they represent the Tiger Conservation Unit Bardia-Banke.

Flora and Fauna

In Banke National Park, there are at least 113 species of tree, 107 herbal species, and 85 shrub and climber species.

Tiger, ruddy mongoose and four-horned antelope are found in the park.

Shuklaphanta National Park

Located in the Terai of Far-Western region, Shuklaphanta National Park of Nepal was established in 1976. Known for its rich biodiversity, the park features unique exhibition of flora and fauna.

Flora and Fauna

Seven hundred species of flora including 553 vascular plants, 18 pteridophytes, 410 dicots, and 125 monocots are found Shuklaphanta National Park, while grassland covers almost half of park’s area.

Forty-four mammal species including swamp deer, Indian leopard, Bengal tiger, 423 bird species, 28 fish species, and 12 reptiles and amphibian are under theprotection of the park.

Parsa National Park

Before it was converted as a national park of Nepal, Parsa National Park used to be a hunting ground for the ruling class.

Flora and Fauna

Tropical and subtropical forest with sal forest constituting about 90 % of the vegetation is the typical flora overview of the park. There are about 919 species of estimated floral species.

Gaur is the main inhabitant of the Parsa National Par, and few numbers of Bengal tigers too resides in the park.