The area was gazetted as the country's first national park in 1973, recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance. UNESCO declared RCNP a World Heritage Site in 1984; In 1996 an area of 750 km2 surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone, which consists of forests and private lands including cultivated lands.

The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. Government of Nepal has made provision of to provide 30-50 percent of the park revenue for community development and natural resource management in the buffer zone.

Features
The park consists of a diversity of ecosystems-including the Churia hills, Ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise slowly towards the east from 150 m. to more than 800 m. The western portion of the park is comprised of the lower but more
Climate
The park has a range of climatic seasons each offering a unique experience. October through February with average temperatures of 25oc offer an enjoyable climate. From March to June temperatures can reach as high as 43oC, The hot humid days give way to the monsoon season that typically lasts from late June until September, Rivers become flooded and roads are impossible.
In late January, local villagers are allowed to cut thatch grasses to meet their needs, which offers a better viewing of wildlife to visitors. September ,November , February and April, migratory birds join the residential birds and create spectacular bird watching opportunities. While the monsoon rains bring lush vegetation, most trees flower in late winter. The palash tree, known as the "flame of the forest' and silk cotton tree have spectacular crimson flowers that can be seen from a distance.

Flora & Fauna
The Chitwan valley consists of tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forests cover 70 percent of the park. Sal leaves are used locally for plates in festivals and religious offerings.

Grasslands cover 20 percent of the park. There are more than 50 different types of grasses, including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp ), renowned for its immense height. It can grow up to 8m in height. The park is home to more than 50 mammal species, over 525 birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. The endangered fauna found in the park are: One-horned rhinoceros, Gaur. Royal Bengal tiger. Wild elephant, four horned antelope, Pangolin, Golden monitor lizard, Python, etc. Bengal  florican.  Lesser florican, Giant hornbill, Black stork, While stork, etc.

Facilities
The display at the visitor centre at Sauraha provides fascinating information on wildlife and conservation program. The women's user groups' souvenir shop offers a variety of handicrafts and other local products for gifts and souvenirs.

Elephant safari provides opportunity to get a closer view of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. One may also get a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger. The Elephant Breeding Center at Khorsor, Sauraha gives you information on captive elephant and the calves born there.

The museum at Kasara, the park headquarters, has informative displays- Near the HQ visitors can see Bikram Baba, a Hindu religious site of archival value.  A short walk (1km) from the park HQ will take you to the Gharial Breeding Center, which is also home to the Marsh mugger and number of turtles.

Inside the park, there are 7 resorts run by park concessionaires that can provide lodging and access to wildlife activities. Various resorts and lodges situated outside the park also offer variety of services.
How to get there

By Air:
There are regular daily flights to Bharatpur, about 25km from the Park area, and to Meghauli. The flights take about half an hour. One can easily get rides from the airports to the Park area. If you plan to stay in one of the expensive resorts inside the Park or outside the ark, your flights to and from Kathmandu will probably be included in your package.

By surface:
Public buses go to Tadi from Kathmandu and Pokhara comfortable "tourist buses"). The ride takes about six hours from Kathmandu, 5 from Pokhara. From Tadi, you will either have to cover the six kilometer distance to Sauraha on an ox cart (takes two hours to cover the distance!).

By River
We arrange rafting trips to Chitwan. The trip normally starts at Mugling, 110km out of Kathmandu on the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan road. The trip itself is an easy river cruise that takes two or three days.

Seasons:
The monsoon lasts until the beginning of October. Day time temperatures are very low during winter due to strong winds. Higher elevations remain covered by cloud in the morning, later cleared by the wind. Snow may occur even at low elevation until early April, however, it soon melts. The best time to visit the reserve is March-April.

Nature & Wildlife option wise program itinerary

1 Night 2 Days Itinerary

Day 01:
Fly or Drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan. Meeting upon arrival at the bus station or at the Bharatpur Airport. Transfer to the resort/hotel. Refreshment drink and briefing about the accommodation and the facilities. After lunch our manager will brief you about the program of the following days. After a short rest, visit to the Tharu village and the National Park Visitors Center. Sunset view from the riverbank. Dinner. Slide-show on wildlife.

13:00 Lunch
15:30 Nature walk/visit to observation tower
17:00Sunset view from Riverbank
18:30Slide show/Tharu stick dance
19:00Dinner/Culture program

Day 02:
After tea/coffee you may go for Elephant back safari. Transfer to the bus station or the Bharatpur Airport for departure.

Time Table and Program

05:30 Wake up call
05:45 Tea/Coffee
06:00 Elephant ride/bird watching
08:00 Breakfast/Transform to airport or Bus station
09:00 Final Departure

 2 Night 3 Days Itinerary

Day 01:
Fly or Drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan. Meeting upon arrival at the bus station or at the Bharatpur Airport. Transfer to the resort/hotel. Refreshment drink and briefing about the accommodation and the facilities. After lunch our manager will brief you about the program of the following days. After a short rest, visit to the Tharu village and the National Park Visitors Center. Sunset view from the riverbank. Dinner. Slide-show on wildlife.

13:00 Lunch
15:30 Nature walk/visit to observation tower
17:00 Sunset view from Riverbank
18:30 Slide show/Tharu stick dance
19:00 Dinner/Culture program

Day 02:
05:30 Wake up call
05:45 Tea/Coffee
06:00 Elephant ride/bird watching
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Canoe ride/elephant briefing / swimming and bath
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Elephant ride / nature walk / visit to observation tower / Canoe ride
18:30 Tharu Stick Dance/slide show
19:30 Dinner

Day 03:
After tea or coffee you will go for a bird watching tour. B/F. Transfer to the bus station or the Bharatpur Airport.

05:30 A.M. Wake up call
05:45 Tea/Coffee
06:00 Bird watching Tour
08:00 Breakfast/Transfer to Bus station/airport
09:00 Final departure

3 Nights / 4 Days Itinerary

Day 1:
On Your arrival at Chitrasari, Tadi or Bharatpur Airport our staff will receive you. You will then be transferred to our Lodge where you will be offered refreshment & be given a briefing on our lodge & its facilities. After being given your programmes for the day, your room will then be allocated to you.

13.00 : Lunch.
15.00 : Village tour to a nearby ethnic Tharu village where you will learn more about the life and lifestyle of the Tharus. Visit to the National Park Visitor’s centre where you can learn more about the history of the National Park and about wildlife & Sun set view from the bank of Rapti River.

19.00 : Tharu cultural dance presentation (which you will also participate in) by the local villagers or Slide show presentation on almost everything under the Chitwan.

20.00 : Dinner.

Day 2:
06.00 : Wake up call.
06.30 : Breakfast.
07.00: Canoe ride along the Rapti River. An excellent opportunity for Bird Watching and for seeing the 2 rare species of crocodiles; the Marsh Mugger and the fish eating Gharial. + Jungle Walk + on the way back one can enjoy the elephant bathing.

13.00: Lunch
15.00: Elephant Safari. An excellent opportunity to see four different kinds of deer, rhinoceros, wild bore, monkey, leopard, sloth bear and the Royal Bengal Tiger (If you are lucky). You will also encounter many other smaller mammals that have made Chitwan their home.
19.00: Tharu cultural dance presentation or Slides show presentation.
20.00: Dinner

Day 3:
06.30: Wake up call.
07.00: Breakfast.
07.45: Visit to the Government Elephant Breeding Centre
13.00: Lunch
14.00: Jeep Drive at Twenty Thousand Lake or Elephant Safari
20.00: Dinner

Day 4:
07.00: Wake up call.
08.00: Breakfast.
09.30: Departure for onward journey.
Note: Schedule and timings are subject to change as per season.

 Safari program Cost Include

• All Safari Activities

• All jungle activities

• All accommodations while safari including breakfast, lunch and dinner, highly experienced Government licensed safari guide during the trip.

• Government / Local taxes, Tourist service charge, guide insurance and salary

• National park and conservation area fees.

• Surface transportation according to program

 Cost Exclude

• International airfares.

• Transportation to and from Kathmandu by air or road as per itinerary.

• International Airport Departure Tax.

• Any type of personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages and drinks, phone and laundry.

• Tips & Gratuities.
                                                              For more details and special cost upon request