When people think of a safari, they often imagine the vast open plains of Africa, teeming with wildlife. But safaris come in many forms, and the experience in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park is a world apart from the African savannah. Nestled in a dense, tropical forest with thick, towering grasses, Chitwan offers a much different kind of challenge for wildlife enthusiasts. Spotting animals here requires patience, sharp eyes, and careful listening. Unlike the Serengeti, Chitwan’s animal density is lower, and its lush vegetation makes animals harder to find.
Despite these challenges, Chitwan is home to a remarkable diversity of life, boasting over 600 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, alligators, snakes, monkeys, one-horned rhinos, various species of deer, Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, sloth bears, leopards, and gaurs. Before my first safari drive, I quickly learned that spotting certain animals would be elusive. Elephants, for example, are found in a different part of the park, and the Bengal tiger population is so low that sightings are extremely rare. However, the one-horned rhino, Chitwan’s most famous resident, was a promising candidate for an encounter.
During my two days in Chitwan, I took part in one boat safari and two jeep safaris. I was delighted to spot alligators, an array of birds, several types of deer, and, most thrilling of all, the one-horned rhino. This magnificent species was once in serious decline—by the 1960s, only 600 individuals remained across India. Thanks to decades of conservation efforts, their population has rebounded to over 4,000, a true conservation success story.
Seeing a rhino up close is a humbling experience. Males can weigh more than 6,000 pounds, while females are slightly smaller but still massive at over 4,000 pounds. During one safari, as a rhino emerged from the forest and locked eyes with our vehicle, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of tension—would it charge? But after a tense moment, the rhino gave us a brief, menacing look before lumbering across the road and vanishing back into the thick undergrowth. It was a moment I’ll never forget.
This slideshow contains highlights of my safaris. Click on the right side to step through. If you expand the slideshow, you will see the captions.
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