Chitwan National Forrest is situated in the southern plains of Nepal. "Chitwan" literally means "heart of the jungle," and has been a protected national reserve since 1973. It was a 5 hour bus ride from Kathmandu and I had so much fun that I decided to extend my stay there an extra day. When you think of Nepal you probably do not picture jungles, or grassy plains, but that is exactly what Chitwan serves up. From the moment I arrived the people were super friendly and hospitable. I stayed at a place called The River Bank Inn which is situated right on the river, where every afternoon you can watch elephants bathing from your hotel window. Or, like me you can choose to join the elephant bathing for only 100rp tip. That was probably the most fun I had during my stay. Getting to ride on top of such a large and powerful animal was magical. It took me into the water and at its owners command would spray me with water. Then it slowly rolled over so that I fell into the water. Before climbing back on a got to splash and wash this amazing creature.
Aside from that experience, I got to go on 4 different types of safaris. Elephant back, jeep, canoe and walking. Elephant back was the most fun and we got to see the most animals and get right up close. The elephant barley followed a beaten path, instead it cut straight through the foliage. We came right up on a rhino and her baby and it was amazing how close we could get. We also saw deer, peacocks, monkeys, and crocodiles. On the jeep safari we only saw a few animals, mostly deer, a rhino, and a wild boar, but it was really nice getting deep into the jungle as we rode for hours. We also got to stop at the Gharial crocodile conservation area (see pic below), which was really interesting and only available when you do the jeep safari. The canoe safari, which was in a dug out canoe that didn't seem very sturdy, brought us up close and personal with some seriously large crocs. On the walking tour we only saw one animal, a rhino, but just the rundown we got in the beginning was hilarious. "If we get charged by a rhino just run in a zigzag motion and climb the nearest big tree. If we get charged by a sloth bear just huddle in a big group and I'll wave this bamboo stick at it to scare it away. If we get charged by tiger I'll beat it off with this bamboo stick. But if we get charged by a wild elephant our only hope is to run for your life and hope you are not the slowest one in the group." LOL
Besides all of the animal adventures, we also got to tour the villages and see some tribal stick dancing from the Tharu people, who have occupied the area for centuries. There are a few national parks here in Nepal - Chitwan is probably the most commercialized of them all but it was still such a pleasant and fun experience.
Aside from that experience, I got to go on 4 different types of safaris. Elephant back, jeep, canoe and walking. Elephant back was the most fun and we got to see the most animals and get right up close. The elephant barley followed a beaten path, instead it cut straight through the foliage. We came right up on a rhino and her baby and it was amazing how close we could get. We also saw deer, peacocks, monkeys, and crocodiles. On the jeep safari we only saw a few animals, mostly deer, a rhino, and a wild boar, but it was really nice getting deep into the jungle as we rode for hours. We also got to stop at the Gharial crocodile conservation area (see pic below), which was really interesting and only available when you do the jeep safari. The canoe safari, which was in a dug out canoe that didn't seem very sturdy, brought us up close and personal with some seriously large crocs. On the walking tour we only saw one animal, a rhino, but just the rundown we got in the beginning was hilarious. "If we get charged by a rhino just run in a zigzag motion and climb the nearest big tree. If we get charged by a sloth bear just huddle in a big group and I'll wave this bamboo stick at it to scare it away. If we get charged by tiger I'll beat it off with this bamboo stick. But if we get charged by a wild elephant our only hope is to run for your life and hope you are not the slowest one in the group." LOL
Besides all of the animal adventures, we also got to tour the villages and see some tribal stick dancing from the Tharu people, who have occupied the area for centuries. There are a few national parks here in Nepal - Chitwan is probably the most commercialized of them all but it was still such a pleasant and fun experience.
Gharial Croc
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