Sightseeing · Chitwan
Kasara and Chitwan National Park Headquarters
The park headquarters at Kasara: visitor centre, gharial breeding centre and the old Kasara Durbar.
- Address
- Kasara, Chitwan National Park, Chitwan, Nepal
Overview
Kasara is the administrative headquarters of Chitwan National Park, set deep in the forest where the park's conservation work is run. For curious visitors it is the most interesting man-made stop inside the park: a small visitor centre and museum explaining the park's ecology and history, the gharial breeding centre on the riverbank, and the atmospheric Kasara Durbar, a former royal hunting lodge from the era when these jungles were a private game reserve. Reaching it means a long jeep drive through prime wildlife country, so the journey is half the experience.
What to see at Kasara
The visitor centre displays maps, animal skulls, photographs and information on Chitwan's rhinos, tigers, gharials and birdlife — a good orientation if you want to understand what you're seeing on safari. Steps away, the gharial breeding centre raises hatchlings of the rare, fish-eating gharial crocodile in pens and pools before releasing them into the Rapti and Narayani rivers. The old Kasara Durbar nearby recalls the area's hunting past and its transformation into Nepal's first national park.
Getting there
Kasara sits inside the park, reached by a forest jeep track from Sauraha that crosses the Rapti and Budhi Rapti rivers. You'll need a park permit and a licensed guide or jeep, so it is almost always visited as part of a Chitwan jeep safari. The drive itself often turns up rhinos, deer and birds, making the trip to headquarters as rewarding as the destination.
Why it's worth it
Most safaris focus on spotting animals; Kasara adds the conservation story behind them. Seeing young gharials being raised for release, reading how poaching was beaten back, and standing in the old hunting lodge gives real context to Chitwan's success as a wildlife haven. It pairs naturally with the quiet wetlands of Bishazari Tal for a deeper, less safari-centric day.
Tips
- Combine Kasara with a full-day jeep safari rather than a short morning drive — the distance is significant.
- Bring water, snacks, sun protection and binoculars for the long forest drive.
- Move quietly and respectfully around the breeding pens and visitor centre.
- Ask your guide about the latest gharial release figures — the numbers tell the conservation story well.
Kasara is one of the deeper experiences in our Chitwan beyond the safari collection and a highlight for anyone interested in Nepal's national parks and wildlife. Plan around it with the Chitwan travel guide.
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Frequently asked questions
What is at Kasara in Chitwan?+
Kasara is the administrative headquarters of Chitwan National Park. It holds the park office, a small visitor centre and museum, the gharial breeding centre on the Rapti River, and the historic Kasara Durbar, a former royal hunting lodge.
How do you get to Kasara?+
Kasara lies deep inside the park, reached by jeep on a forest track from Sauraha or by crossing the Rapti and Budhi Rapti rivers. It is usually visited as part of a full-day jeep safari with a licensed guide and park entry permit.
Is the gharial breeding centre at Kasara?+
Yes. The gharial conservation and breeding centre sits beside the park headquarters at Kasara, raising young gharial crocodiles to release into the Rapti and Narayani rivers to support the endangered species.
Can you visit Kasara independently?+
No. Because it is inside the national park, you need a park permit and a licensed guide or jeep, and you must follow park rules. Most visitors include Kasara on an organised full-day safari.