Wildlife · Nepal
National Parks of Nepal
From lowland tiger jungles to Himalayan snow-leopard wilderness — every major national park and reserve in Nepal, and how to visit.
Nepal's protected areas range from steamy lowland jungles where rhinos and tigers roam to high Himalayan wilderness ruled by snow leopards and blue sheep. This collection gathers a deep-dive guide to every major national park and reserve in the country, so you can match a park to your interests, your route and your season.
The short answer
For a classic jungle safari, head to Chitwan National Park, the most accessible and best for rhinos, or to Bardia National Park for wild tigers and solitude. For Himalayan trekking and rare mountain wildlife, choose Sagarmatha around Everest, Langtang near Kathmandu, or remote Shey Phoksundo in Dolpo. For birds, nothing beats Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Lowland Terai parks
The Terai parks deliver Nepal's headline wildlife — rhinos, tigers, elephants and crocodiles — on jeep, walking and canoe safaris. Start with Chitwan, then explore its quiet neighbour Parsa National Park, the far-western tiger country of Bardia and its sister conservation park Banke, and the great birding wetland of Koshi Tappu.
Himalayan and high-country parks
The mountain parks blend trekking with rare wildlife and dramatic scenery. Sagarmatha protects Everest and the Khumbu, Makalu Barun the pristine eastern Himalaya, and Langtang the alpine valleys nearest Kathmandu. Shey Phoksundo is the largest park, in trans-Himalayan Dolpo, while Rara is the smallest, guarding Nepal's largest lake. Khaptad offers serene far-western meadows, and Shivapuri Nagarjun forms the green belt on Kathmandu's edge.
Choosing your park
With a few days from Kathmandu, hike in Shivapuri Nagarjun or fly south to Chitwan. With a week or more, head west to Bardia for tigers, fly to Rara for solitude, or trek into Sagarmatha or Langtang. For true wilderness, set aside two weeks or more for Shey Phoksundo, Makalu Barun or Khaptad.
For a concise overview of safaris and where to go, see our Nepal national parks and wildlife guide, fit the parks into the best places to visit in Nepal, and travel lightly with our responsible travel in Nepal advice. Tap any park above for its wildlife, access, permits and best season.
Our top picks
Chitwan National Park
Bardia National Park
Sagarmatha National Park
Langtang National Park
Shey Phoksundo National Park
Rara National Park
Makalu Barun National Park
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Khaptad National Park
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Parsa National Park
Banke National Park
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks does Nepal have?+
Nepal has twelve national parks, alongside wildlife reserves, conservation areas and hunting reserves. Together these protected areas cover a remarkable range of habitats, from the lowland Terai jungles to the high Himalaya.
Which national park in Nepal is best for wildlife?+
Chitwan is the most accessible and best all-round park, famous for one-horned rhinos, while Bardia in the far west offers the strongest chance of seeing a wild Bengal tiger. For high-altitude species, Shey Phoksundo and Sagarmatha protect snow leopards.
Do you need permits to visit Nepal's national parks?+
Yes. Every national park and reserve charges an entry permit, with the highest rate for foreign visitors and lower rates for SAARC and Nepali nationals. Some Himalayan areas such as Dolpo also require restricted-area permits and a registered guide.
When is the best time to visit Nepal's national parks?+
For lowland safaris, October to April is best, with clear sightings late in the dry season. For Himalayan parks, spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) give the most stable weather and the clearest mountain views.
