Every adventurer may have heard about two of Nepal’s most popular national parks. However, how can you possibly fuss over the debate of Chitwan Vs. Bardia National Park without entirely exploring either of the national parks? Let us tell you that each of these national parks has its specialty and is very similar yet somewhat different from the others. That won’t be a tough job if you’re not looking to choose and are willing to explore both locations.
But, if you’re looking to visit only one location after selecting the best one, you may have to consider some factors. Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. Likewise, Bardia National Park has been home to different wildlife species and is just as impressive a destination for visitors worldwide. In this article, we have mentioned everything you need to know about either of the locations. Be sure to read till the end!
Bardia National Park is located 570km from Kathmandu, which makes it farther from the capital than Chitwan. While Chitwan National Park’s entry fee is higher than Bardia National Park’s, experiencing both locations’ wildlife and other elements will be fruitful for your time and money. Bardia and Chitwan National Parks are located in Kathmandu’s Terai region. Hence, you will find both places to be on the warmer side.
While the jungle safari is standard in both destinations, you can go boating and Canoeing in Chitwan National Park. And in Bardia National Park, you can experience rafting. The accommodation in both these locations is impressive and equally perfect for visitors of different budgets, including low, medium, and high. You can also try Western cuisine along with the authentic taste of the Terai region of Nepal in small to luxurious eateries in both Chitwan and Bardia during your visit to either of the locations.
Chitwan has been long known because of the popularity of the Chitwan National Park. You can get sightings of the one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, elephant, and around 544 species of birds, as well as different reptiles like the Gharial crocodile, monitor lizard, etc., here. The area is known for its lush Sal forest. This national park was once a hunting area for Nepal’s royal family, but over time it has become the country’s most famous wildlife reserve.
Some decades ago, there had been disagreements among the authorities responsible for the national park and the Tharu community concerning the national park’s land. As of now, the native community, as well as the national park, exists in harmony. In addition to this, you will find Tharu villages close to the Chitwan National Park, separated by the Rapti and Narayani rivers. Likewise, for those who love outdoor activities, there are opportunities for Canoeing, elephant safaris, and walking safaris in nature.
The Bardia National Park is very close to India. Though not as popular as Chitwan National Park, it has gained popularity among visitors for its diverse wildlife population. The park’s location is mainly covered with forest and grassland. Similarly, you will also see the open fields where animals roam. You can also go on a walking jungle and jeep safari here. You can roam the jungle region with an elephant as well.
Inside the park, you will find an impressive population of tigers. You can also go on a full-day rafting journey when in Bardia. Another popular thing to do in Bardia National Park is river boating. Like in Chitwan, Bardia is dominated by the Tharu community. You can visit their villages and go on an exploration journey to the Tharu Museum. There are also elephant and crocodile breeding centers in this location.
Chitwan and Bardia National Park both have a good number of wildlife species living in their natural habitat. Though you will find elephants, tigers, and rhinos in both locations, it will be easier to spot them in Bardia National Park than in Chitwan National Park. You can also spot other animals like monkeys, deer, gharial crocodiles, etc., in both locations, out in the open. It may not be possible for you to see every other animal in either of the national parks during a single visit.
The following table shows the different types of mammals, reptiles, and birds you will find in either of the national parks:
| Types of Wildlife | Bardia National Park | Chitwan National Park |
| Mammals | Bengal Tiger One-horned Rhinoceros Asian Elephant Leopard Gaur (Indian Bison) Sloth Bear Spotted Deer Blue Bull (Nilgai) Wild Boar Gangetic Dolphin | Bengal Tiger One-horned Rhinoceros Asian Elephant Leopard Gaur (Indian Bison) Sloth Bear Sambar Deer Spotted Deer Wild Boar Rhesus Macaque |
| Birds | Great Hornbill Bengal Florican Lesser Adjutant Stork White-rumped Vulture Sarus Crane Peafowl Kingfisher Woodpecker | Bengal Florican Lesser Adjutant Stork Great Hornbill Grey-headed Fish Eagle Peafowl Kingfisher Parakeets Woodpecker |
| Reptiles | Mugger Crocodile Gharial Crocodile Indian Rock Python King Cobra Monitor Lizard | Mugger Crocodile Gharial Crocodile Indian Rock Python King Cobra Monitor Lizard |
Both Chitwan and Bardia National Parks are equally suitable for visitors. If you’re visiting Nepal from Delhi, you may find visiting the Bardia National Park in Nepal simpler. Likewise, if you’re in the capital city, you can go to Chitwan National Park if you’re closer to Kathmandu. You can take a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur Airportif you’re going to Chitwan. The safari experience in either of the locations can be considered excellent.
Contrary to beliefs about Chitwan National Park being a better option, Bardia National Park offers just as impressive an experience for wildlife explorers and adventure lovers. Bardia is also a better option if you want a more authentic experience in the jungle. There are at least 125 tigers in Bardia, which means you have a good chance of spotting one. You can, likewise, find a better sighting of rhinos in the park in Chitwan.
Chitwan National Park is beautiful, but it still feels a bit urban. When you’re touring Chitwan National Park, you will find yourself among some of the endangered wildlife in Nepal. Moreover, when you’re roaming the park, you will be immersed in its natural beauty. The animals you see in both places create equally beautiful scenery. Bardia National Park is not as developed as Chitwan Park, so you can see fewer tourists in the former location than in Chitwan.
Compared to Bardia, Chitwan may not give you as many sightings of predatory animals during either jungle safari, including the jungle walks, which are slower and offer more exploration. You must select the best time to visit both destinations to get the most aesthetic views of the surroundings. The best seasons include Spring, autumn, and winter. Travelers accompanied by a guide can always seek guidance in finding the most scenic spots during the tour.
Visitors can get a more authentic jungle experience in Bardia National Park. Bardia sees fewer tourists than Chitwan each year, which has made the wildlife habituated to the serenity and safety of the location. Because of its remoteness and population, you may see more wildlife species, especially tigers and wild elephants, in open areas of Bardia National Park. The national park in Bardia has more tigers than the saturation of tigers globally in a single location.
While there are at least 544 species of birds in Chitwan National Park, there are fewer birds in Bardia, around 400. When you’re in Bardia National Park, you will get the chance to spot the rare Gangetic River dolphin. The dolphins all live in Geruwa River, Karnali River’s eastern channel. Suppose you didn’t already know. This species of dolphin is endangered in Nepal. You will also find the Mahseer dolphin there.
| Feature | Chitwan National Park | Bardia National Park |
| Location | Southern part of Nepal. | Western part of Nepal. |
| Accessibility | Chitwan is a 5-6 hour drive away from Kathmandu. | Bardia is 15-16 hours away from Kathmandu by drive. |
| Wildlife | Elephants, tigers, one-horned rhinos, sloths, Gharial crocodiles, bird species, etc. | Elephants, tigers, rhinos, deer, bird species, monkeys, etc. |
| Activities for visitors | Canoeing, jungle safari by jeep or on foot, elephant ride, boating, elephant breeding center visit, Tharu culture program, etc. | River rafting, jungle safari by jeep or on foot, elephant ride, elephant breeding center visit, Tharu museum visit, crocodile breeding center visit, etc. |
| Best season for visits | Spring, autumn, and winter. | Spring, autumn, and winter. |
| Safari types | Jeep safari, Elephant Safari, and Walking safari. | Jeep safari, Elephant Safari, and Walking safari. |
| Safety | Safety because of properly developed establishment. | Remote yet safe. |
| Popularity | More popular. | Less popular. |
| Crowd | More crowd. | Lesser crowd. |
If you’re confused about choosing Chitwan or Bardia National Park, we suggest you choose whatever option is most convenient for you. There are a few considerations to make as you select a single destination. Such considerations include your preference for the crowd and your accessibility to either of the locations. Unlike Chitwan’s national park, Bardia’s is not listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means you may choose the popular one or settle for a less crowded one.
Travelers looking for a more authentic and rural experience can visit Bardia National Park. If you want to travel with the maximum number of amenities and more of a modern touch, you can visit Chitwan National Park. Speaking about the commute, you can drive to Chitwan and fly from Kathmandu directly in less than 30 minutes. The journey from Kathmandu to Bardia will be longer. Bardia is located on Nepal’s border with India, closer to it than Kathmandu. So, you can make your decision with this in mind as well.
For those looking to tour Nepal’s jungle, the debate on Chitwan Vs. Bardia National Park is standard. You can consider the points above during your Nepal trip planning to simplify the trip. Also, even Nepali people can hire a tour guide and enjoy either tour at their convenience in almost every season of the year. Each destination is tourist-friendly as well. By remembering everything we’ve mentioned in this article, you can go on a journey to remember a lifetime!
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