The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, 175 sq. kms, lies on the flood plains of Koshi River. The rectangular shaped Reserve is enclosed within the east and west embankments of the Koshi Barrage and is therefore, subjected to seasonal flooding during monsoon. This Reserve, established mainly to preserve the habitats for the last remnant population of wild water buffalo in Nepal, was gazetted in 1976. In addition, the Reserve is home to larger ungulates such as Gaur, Nilgai, Hog Deer, wild Pig, and medium sized predators such as fishing Cat, jungle Cat, and Civets. The Koshi River also supports sparse population of endangered species such as the gangetic Dolphins and gharial Crocodiles.
The Koshi Barrage, the border of east Nepal and India, was completed by the Koshi Project, an undertaking of the government of India, in 1964 to contain the monsoon floods as it became more devastating. The Barrage was also made to irrigate farmlands and thus it created an abundant marsh and littoral habitat making it Nepal’s most important wetland. At an elevation of 75m, the Koshi Barrage is one of the lowest areas in Nepal with 14 species of birds, not found anywhere else in Nepal, recorded here. Because of its great importance as a wetland, the Government of Nepal acceded to the Ramsar Convention in 1987 and thus, Koshi Tappu is included in the list of Wetlands in International Importance.
Because of the open access to the Koshi Barrage area from India, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is equally threatened with wildlife-related damages. Also, herders from both India and Nepal have set their base over here for cross-breeding their domestic herds with the wild buffalo for vigor and fodder. Today, feral cattle in the Reserve outnumber wild buffaloes. Both feral and wild buffaloes raid crops by wandering as far as 10 kms from the reserve boundary into the farmlands. The high incidents of crop raiding and the ensuing conflict is a cumulative action of over 100 wild buffaloes, some 500 feral water buffaloes and over 7,000 cattle.
Access:
To reach Bardia, take the daily flight or public (day / night) transport from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. From Nepalgunj, it is a five hours drive by jeep to the camp area. The best time to visit this nature sanctuary is from October to April as it is hot during April - August.
What to see:
Vegetation:The Park contains 70% of Shorea Robusta and the remaining 30% is covered with the balance mixture of grasslands and reverie woods.
Animals:The wild Boar, Hog Deer, Blue Bull, Porcupine, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Mongoose, Civets, Jungle Cats, Rhesus Monkey, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer Otter, Jackal, Hyena, Common Leopard. Fishing cat, Langur Monkey etc. are commonly seen.
Birds:The Woodpecker (10 species), Heron (5 species), Bulbul (5 species), Dove (5 species), Egret (4 species), Parakeets, King Fisher, Bee Eater, Barbet, Pigeion, Stork, Sunbird, Babbler, Warble, Flycatcher and Bar-headed Goose are seen in this park.
When to visit:
The best season to visit the park is during fall (October - November) and spring (mid February - April).
How to travel:
There is a daily domestic flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu Airport. This National Park can be reached only by surface route, so, after reaching Nepalgunj, public bus service awaits us to take us to the far west Terai.
Duration : 2 Nights 3 Days
Safari package includes:
Accommodation in a Lodge or tented camp, all sightseeing and outings as per the specific itinerary provided for different packages, park entrance fees and all meals for the duration of the package tour.
Package does not include:
Transportation (shown separately),
Video camera fees (USD100 per camera),
Tips and drinks,
Any additional expenses that is not mentioned in the itinerary.
