Bardia National Park
Bardia is a quieter national park in western Nepal's Terai, known for tigers, one-horned rhinos and wildlife along the Karnali River.
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Bardia National Park sits in the Terai, the flat lowland belt along Nepal's southern border, in Bardiya District of western Nepal. The park covers roughly 968 square kilometers of sal forest, grassland and riverbank along the Karnali River. It is known for Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephants, swamp deer and Gangetic dolphins in the river. Tharu communities live around the park's edge.
Bardia suits travelers who want a quieter park experience in western Nepal. Plan two to three nights for jeep drives, guided walks and river trips. The dry season, roughly October to March, is the best time to visit: the grass is lower, animals gather near water, and sightings are easier. Monsoon months bring heavy rain and some areas are harder to reach. Allow extra time for the road journey, since Bardia is far from Kathmandu.
Bardia National Park in five
- Get your park entry permit at the park officeForeign visitors need a Bardia National Park entry permit, issued at the park office in Thakurdwara, the village at the park gate. Carry it on every safari, because park staff ask to see it.
- Book a jeep safari and guide through your lodgeJeep safaris and walks in the park run with a licensed guide, so arrange them through your lodge or a registered operator before you arrive.Tours and tickets
- Carry Nepalese rupees in cashATMs are few near the park gate, so withdraw rupees in Nepalgunj or Kathmandu and keep small notes for tips and village shops.Money and costs
- Ask a clinic about malaria before you travelBardia sits in the lowland Terai, which is a malaria-risk area. See a travel clinic before you go, and pack insect repellent for the evenings and the jeep.Travel insurance
- Set up a phone plan before you reach NepalgunjMobile signal inside the park is unreliable, so set up an eSIM or local SIM before you travel.Phones and eSIM
Need to know
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR)
- Entry
- Visa on arrival or e-visa for most passports; check your nationality Read more
- Emergency
- 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance
- Tipping
- Customary for guides and drivers, not mandatory
- Time
- UTC+5:45, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, foggy
- FebruaryCool, misty
- MarchWarm, dry
- AprilHot, dusty
- MayVery hot
- JuneMonsoon starts
- JulyMonsoon
- AugustMonsoon
- SeptemberRains ease
- OctoberClear, green
- NovemberCool, clear
- DecemberCool, foggy
Right now in Bardia National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Bardia National Park
02:25 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°19°0%Tuesday: Fog. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed26°18°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu26°18°0%Thursday: Fog. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri26°17°0%Friday: Fog. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat26°17°0%Saturday: Fog. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun26°17°0%Sunday: Clear. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 10:04 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 152 NPR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Bardia National Park
Rules for Bardia National Park, checked
- Carry your park entry permit on every safari and show it when park staff ask.
- Stay in the vehicle or with your licensed guide. Do not leave the track or the trail alone.
- Do not collect plants, feathers, rocks or other natural material in the park.
- Check visa rules for your nationality with Nepal's Department of Immigration before you travel.
- Dial 100 for police, 101 for fire and 102 for an ambulance in Nepal.
Plan around Bardia National Park
Entry, money and the wider country around the park
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa on arrival and e-visa rules by passport
Read the guideGetting around NepalFlights to Nepalgunj and the road to the park gate
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges near the park gate and bases in Nepalgunj
Read the guideMoney and costsRupees, ATMs and what to budget for guides
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for park safaris and medical evacuation
Read the guideBardia National Park FAQ
How do I get to Bardia National Park?
Fly to Nepalgunj, the nearest airport with regular flights, then take a road transfer to the park gate at Thakurdwara. Check current road conditions with your lodge before you set out.
Can you see tigers in Bardia?
Yes, tigers live in the park, but sightings are not guaranteed. Jeep safaris with a guide give the best chance, and a walk can show tracks and other wildlife.
When is the best time to visit Bardia?
October to March is the best window, with October to December the strongest months. The monsoon from June to August brings heavy rain and harder road conditions.
Is Bardia quieter than Chitwan?
Yes, Bardia usually sees fewer visitors than Chitwan, so the park feels less busy. Book lodges early in the cooler months.
Do I need a guide in Bardia?
Yes for walks, which need a licensed guide. Jeep safaris and canoe trips on the Karnali River are also run with a guide and driver.