natural habitat. Boating on the river to view gharial crocodiles and jungle walks for birds watching are other thrilling activities here. Trained naturalist guides conduct the tours. Walks in the surrounding villages also provide a fascinating experience of the local Tharu culture.

Accommodation ranges from basic to luxurious, with almost all the resorts built in traditional styles. They possess solar heated showers, a well-stocked bar to relax in, and friendly staff willing to share their knowledge of the jungle with you.

Other than the monsoon months (July to September), a visit to the Chitwan National Park is possible at any time of the year. Access to the area is easy as it can be reached by place or by bus from any one of the Nepal's main cities. It's even possible to raft down the Trisuli or Kali Gandaki rivers. The Royal Chitwan National Park provides an escape from the polluted atmosphere and the noise of the big cities and is a great place to relax in and experience something different after a strenuous trek.

Royal Bardiya National Park is situated in the mid far Western Terai, east of the Karnali river.

The park is the largest and most undisturbed wilderness area in the Terai. About 70% of the park is covered with dominantly Saal forest with the balance a mixture of grassland, savanah and riverine forest. The park provides excellent habitat for endangered animals like the rhinoceros, wild elephant, tiger, swam deer, black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile and Gangetic dolphin. Endangered birds include the Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver earned mesia and Sarus Crane. More than 30 different mammals, over 200 species of birds and many snakes, lizards and fish have been recorded in the park's forest, grassland and river habitats. A good number of resident and migratory birds are found in the park.