The Koshi Tappu National Park was established in 1976 and was designated as a Ramsar site in December, 1987. It is situated in the flood plains of SaptaKoshi River in Eastern Nepal and it covers 175 sq. km of wetlands in the Sunsari, Saptari, and the Udayapur district. It was primarily established to protect the endangered wild water buffaloes. The last surviving population of wild buffalo or arna is found here. However it is also a home for 200 species of fauna, 31 species of mammals, 485 bird species. It is also a resting place for most of the migratory birds.
The KoshiTappu Wildlife Reserve is reached by flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar, followed by a mere one and half hours drive to the camp. Rafting down for 8-10 days on the wild stretches of the Sun Koshi River is another exciting way to reach the destination. This wildlife reserve offers an outstanding wetland which is considered to be one of the finest bird-watching sanctuaries in Asia.
ITINERARY FOR KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE:
Day 01: Early in the morning, drive from Kathmandu/Pokhara to Koshitappu by a private vehicle (car/bus/ van), which takes approximately 10 hours, or fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and then drive one and a half hours to the resort. Briefing about the accommodation and other facilities will be done during this time. After lunch, our manager will brief you about the upcoming programs for the rest of the trip. Then, after a short rest, visit The National Park Visitors Center.
Time table and program
– Arrival pick up from bus station or airport transfer to hotel.
– Briefing by the Lodge manager
– 15:00. Lunch
– 16:30. Nature walk/briefing by our naturalist camp manager
– 17:00. Sunset view from Riverbank
– 18:30. Slide show
– 19:00. Dinner
Day 02: After breakfast,a full day excursion on a boat to see waterfalls, crocodiles, birds of prey, wild water buffalo, Gangeticdolphis, and other creatures. Also, visit Pink Tower.
Time Table and Program
– 05:30. Wake up call
– 05:45. Tea/Coffee
– 06:00. Natural Jungle walking /bird-watching
– 08:00. Breakfast
– 09:00. Canoe ride/boating / swimming and bath
– 13:00. Lunch (packed lunches, since we are far from the resort)
– 15:00. Visit waterfalls/ bird-watching
– 18:30. Return to lodge/slide show
– 19:30. Dinner
Day 03: After a wholesome breakfast, a bird-watching trip inside the reserve among scrub forests, grasslands, and wetland habitat. Swamp partridges, black-necked stork, buntings, bulbuls, etc. are some of the birds you will likely see here. In the afternoon, you can either continue bird-watching trip or you can enjoy an optional trip: an elephant ride to watch Arna, the wild water buffalo, blue bull, hog deer, etc. along with fishing.
Time Table and Program
– 06:30. Wake up call
– 07:00. Explore reserve
– 08:00. Breakfast
– 09:00. Bird-watching with our naturalist/swimming and bath/Canoe ride
– 13:00. Lunch
– 15:30. Jungle drive/Canoe ride
– 18:30. Slide show program
– 19:00. Dinner
Day 04: Early morning, you can either enjoy bird-watching around the camp area or take a leisure walk. After breakfast, you depart for Kathmandu or Pokhara or the Indian border.
Time Table and Program
– Morning free for packing.
– 8:00. Breakfast
– 9:00. Departure for you onward destination, Kathmandu or Pokhara or the Indian border.