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Introducing Royal Bardia National Park
About halfway between Butwal and Mahendranagar, Royal Bardia National Park (429719; admission per day foreigner/SAARC/Nepali Rs 500/200/20) is the largest untouched wilderness in the Terai. The park protects 968 sq km of sal forest and whispering grassland, bordering the Geruwa and Karnali Rivers. The atmosphere is wonderfully tranquil and with the current slump in tourism, you may well have the whole place to yourself.
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There are estimated to be around 22 royal Bengal tigers and 100 one-horned rhinos at Bardia but these animals are elusive and sightings are rare. Other mammals in the park include grey langurs, rhesus macaques, leopards, civets, hyenas, sloth bears and barking, spotted, sambar and hog deer. Bardia also has more than 250 species of birds, including the endangered Bengal florican and sarus crane. Gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles and Gangetic dolphins are occasionally spotted on rafting and canoe trips along the Geruwa River.
Be warned that Maoist rebels are active on the fringes of the national park. Visitor numbers have plummeted since the start of the insurgency and most people visit on organised tours, which only run when the army and rebels are observing a ceasefire.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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