6-day Bardia Tiger Tracking & Wildlife Safari in Nepal

Nepal's largest park walking safaris and jeep drives tracking tigers and wildlife at water's edge

A 6-day tiger tracking and wildlife safari in Bardia National Park, Nepal's largest and least disturbed protected area, combines two full days of walking safaris on foot, two full days of jeep safaris, and a guided exploration of the Karnali and Giruwa rivers with a naturalist guide who knows the park intimately. The package includes five nights of accommodation in the buffer zone, packed lunches in the wilderness, and ends with a Tharu cultural performance showcasing traditional dance and local music.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and local exploration

• Arrive and check in
• Relax at accommodation
• Explore community forest and culture
• Watch sunset from scenic spot
• Return to resort

Day 2: Walking safari in tiger territory

• Breakfast at resort
• Full-day walking safari
• Enjoy packed lunch in nature
• Return for dinner and overnight

Day 3: Jeep safari for tiger sightings

• Breakfast at resort
• Full-day jeep safari
• Have packed lunch in wilderness
• Return for dinner and overnight

Day 4: Tiger tracking walking tour

• Full-day walking safari with guide
• Focus on flora and fauna
• Return for dinner and overnight

Day 5: Second jeep safari in park

• Breakfast at resort
• Full-day jeep safari
• Observe wildlife including crocodiles and tigers
• Return to resort

Day 6: Bird watching and departure

• Breakfast at resort
• Bird watching near hotel
• Explore nearby attractions
• Check out and depart

The experience

Bardia National Park holds Nepal's highest ratio of tiger sightings, and this 6-day itinerary is built around that focus. You'll spend two full days on foot with a naturalist guide, walking through tiger territory and learning to read the landscape for signs of movement. The other two days run as full-day jeep safaris, covering different park areas to maximize your chances of spotting Bengal tigers, elephants, crocodiles, and the birds that congregate at the water's edge. The guide speaks English and knows each section of the park in detail, so you're not just moving through the landscape. You're learning how to see it.

The Karnali River widens into a slow jungle waterway where animals come to drink at predictable hours, and sunset from the Giruwa River, with birds flying to roost, is a moment the itinerary builds time for. Mornings start early with breakfast at the resort, then a packed lunch in the wilderness keeps you in the field during the heat of the day. Evenings return you to safari accommodation in the buffer zone, where you rest before the next day's drive or walk.

On your final morning, bird watching around the hotel and nearby exploration fill the hours before checkout and your onward journey. The package closes with a Tharu cultural program at the resort: traditional dance and local songs performed with local instruments, a farewell from the community that hosts the safari. You'll need moderate fitness for the walking safaris and the early starts. The jeep days are less physically demanding but still require comfort with long hours in a vehicle on rough park roads.

What’s included

• Five nights of safari accommodation in the buffer zone of Bardia National Park.
• two full-day walking safaris on foot in tiger territory.
• two full-day jeep safaris covering different park areas.
• packed lunches in the wilderness on activity days.
• dinner and breakfast at the resort.
• English-speaking naturalist guide.
• sunset viewing from the Giruwa River.
• Tharu cultural performance with traditional dance and local music.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:45, the last at 15:45

AgesAdult (19 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Sunshine Travel Agency

Is this one for you?The guide's English commentary and the naturalist's deep knowledge of the park suit wildlife watchers who want to understand what they're seeing, not just spot animals from a distance. You'll need moderate fitness for the walking safaris and early starts, but the jeep days offer a less strenuous alternative if you want to rest between walks.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the walking safaris and the jeep safaris in Bardia?

Walking safaris put you on foot in tiger territory with your guide, moving slowly and reading the landscape for signs of movement. Jeep safaris cover more ground and different park areas from the vehicle, maximizing your chances of spotting larger animals like elephants and tigers at a distance. Both are full-day activities with packed lunches in the wilderness.

How many nights do I stay in Bardia, and what kind of accommodation is it?

You stay five nights in safari accommodation within the buffer zone of Bardia National Park, in a 3-star resort or lodge. The location keeps you close to the park entrance for early morning departures.

Is the guide English-speaking, and will I understand the wildlife commentary?

Yes, your naturalist guide speaks English and knows the park intimately, so you'll follow the commentary throughout the walking and jeep safaris. The guide's familiarity with each section of the park means you're learning not just what animals are present, but how to spot them yourself.

What happens on the last day before I leave?

Your final morning includes bird watching around the hotel and exploration of nearby attractions after breakfast. You'll check out and depart for your onward journey after these activities, ending with time to settle your plans for the next leg of your trip.

What wildlife might I see besides tigers?

Bardia is home to Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds, particularly around the Karnali and Giruwa rivers where animals gather to drink. The park's largest and least disturbed status means you're exploring habitat where wildlife moves naturally, not in managed reserves.

Is there a Tharu cultural experience included?

Yes, a farewell Tharu cultural program takes place at the hotel premises on one evening, featuring traditional dance and local songs performed with local instruments by members of the Tharu community.