Banke National Park Safari – 3 Days in Nepal's Newest Reserve

Your adventure to Nepal's newest national park begins with a morning flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, the gateway city to several western Terai protected areas. Our representative will meet you at the airport for the drive to Banke National Park, approximately 2 hours by private vehicle through rural landscapes that showcase traditional agriculture and village life. Upon arrival at your safari lodge in the buffer zone of Banke National Park, you'll be welcomed with refreshments and a comprehensive briefing about the park's unique status, history, and conservation significance. After lunch and settling into your accommodation, we'll take you on an orientation drive around the buffer zone community forests where you might spot deer, monkeys, and numerous bird species. In the evening, you'll enjoy dinner at the lodge followed by a presentation about Banke's role in the Terai Arc Landscape conservation initiative and efforts to establish viable tiger populations in this corridor habitat.

We begin early with a pre-dawn wake-up call and light refreshments before embarking on a full-day jeep safari into Banke National Park. Early mornings offer the best wildlife viewing as animals are most active before the day heats up. Our exploration focuses on the diverse habitats of the park, including sal forests, riverine ecosystems along the Rapti River, and grassland patches. Banke supports populations of Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Asian elephants, and four species of deer, though wildlife density is still developing compared to older parks. Your naturalist guide will help identify animal signs, interpret behavior, and explain the park's ongoing rewilding process. We'll stop at watchtowers and strategic locations that maximize wildlife viewing opportunities. A packed lunch will be served in a designated area, allowing us to continue our safari without returning to the lodge. In the late afternoon, we'll return to our accommodation where you can relax before dinner and an evening presentation about tiger conservation and monitoring in Banke National Park.

On your final morning, early risers can participate in a guided bird watching walk near the lodge, offering opportunities to spot some of Banke's 300+ bird species. After breakfast, we'll visit a nearby traditional Tharu village where you'll learn about the indigenous people of Nepal's Terai region and their relationship with the surrounding forest. You'll have the chance to observe traditional architecture, agricultural practices, and cultural customs while interacting with locals who rarely encounter foreign visitors. Following this cultural experience and lunch at the lodge, we'll transfer you back to Nepalgunj for your afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Your Banke safari adventure concludes with your arrival in Kathmandu, where our representative will transfer you to your hotel or assist with connections for your onward journey. This pioneering visit to Nepal's newest national park will leave you with memories of pristine wilderness and the satisfaction of supporting emerging conservation efforts.