SAFARI IN THE LAND OF FLUTTERING PRAYER FLAGS
It’s true. African countries such as Kenya, Botswana and South Africa always take a podium place in the Safari Games, what with their ‘Big 5’ sightings, luxury lodges where you can enjoy a deep bath overlooking a ridiculously scenic vista and the occasional stop near the roadside to let a mother guinea fowl hurry her little ones across the road. So why should you book flights for a time-out in Nepal – and for a Nepalese safari at that? Doesn’t one have to get all Everesty and be a mountaineer of sorts with calves of dolomite to get the most out of this country? Well, here at TAG Safari we’re incredibly excited to inform you that if you head south in Nepal, you’ll be spoilt for choice. National parks and wildlife reserves are abundant. And then there are the jungles… SPOT BENGAL TIGERS IN BARDIYA Let’s talk tigers. In the remote northwest lies Bardiya National Park, where you can expect a ‘less polished’ safari experience. Tiger country. The fantastic news is that due to concerted and ongoing conservation efforts, Nepalese Bengal tiger numbers have doubled in the past decade – conservationists have recorded 235 tigers roaming across five of Nepal’s national parks. Bardiya is considered one of the best places to spot these fantastic creatures of which, in the park, there are almost 100. Let’s have a quick look at the Bengal tiger’s stats. According to the WWF, the Panthera Tigris Tigris weighs in at around 250 kg (550 lb) and lengthwise grows up to 3m (10 ft). Its head and body, on average, account for around 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft) of its length, and its tail accounts for between 0.6 to 0.9 m (2 to 3 ft). Their average lifespan in the wild is between 8 and ten years. Female tigers give birth to litters of approximately two to six cubs. These moms raise their young with little or no help from the male, and the playful little cubs aren’t ready to hunt until they are at least 18 months old – mom really has her work cut out for her. Junior stays with his mother for the first two to three years of his life. Afterwards, he’ll head on out to find his own territory. HOW FAR DOES A TIGER’S ROAR TRAVEL? Nepal is home to some of the largest in the cat family. Interestingly, tigers are loners and dead-set on scent. They spend much of their time marking extensive terrain to keep their rivals at bay. As for their power, combined with a fascinating sense of stealth, these tigers hunt at night and will traverse vast areas to locate buffalo, wild pigs, deer, and other large mammals. Oh, and they are strong swimmers too. Those distinctive coats of theirs are brilliant for camouflage – and no two Bengals have the same stripes! So, they crouch and wait, creeping ever closer to their prey, until they jump, perfectly timed, into a deadly pounce. Also, if that Bengal is hungry, as much as 250 kg (551 lb) of meat will be devoured in a single night. As for a Bengal tiger’s roar, even if you’re over 3 km (2 miles) away, you’ll still hear it. Bardiya’s safari lodges offer walking and/or 4X4 safaris. According to the guides, you can cover more ground in a half-day driving safari, but a full-day walking safari assures quiet, up-close-and-personal wildlife viewings. The guides are experts, and they really do love the tigers. Don’t be surprised if your guide only carries a bamboo pole for protection… yup, tiger attacks might not be commonplace, but they do occur. Just follow your guide’s instructions and you’ll be fine. You’re in for a thrill! Next, you want to be on the lookout for Bardiya’s 30 or so greater one-horned rhinos. In addition to them, focus your lens on otters, crocodiles, wild elephants, and quite a few deer species. You’ll also meet Vikram the rhino. This old boy is a victim of humans and wildlife in conflict, but at present, he is enjoying his golden years in a comfortable enclosure near the park entrance. WHEN DO I MAKE MY BARDIYA BOOKING FOR? The park is open all year round, but it’s easier to spot tigers in the hot season when they, and rhinos, seek cool comfort in the waters of the Girwa River. According to previous safari-goers, of the dozen or so safari lodges in and around the village of Thakurdwara (which is located near the park entrance), Bardiya Ecolodge is a gem, especially if you want to enjoy mouthwatering meals. Another big plus is that their guides are legendary characters. If ultimate comfort is your thing, then pampering abounds at the splendid Karnali Lodge – operated by the reputable and responsible tourism pioneers, TigerTops. Their Tharu Lodge is just the place for you, offering fantastic safari options. How about traveling through the jungle in an ox cart? Hey, contrary to what you may think, it’s not as noisy as a 4x4 or any motorized vehicle for that matter – so, it’s much less of a disruption for the wildlife. Also, don’t worry, your guide will, literally, have your back. All reputable lodges can arrange transport from the local bus stop, or from Nepalganj, which is the closest airport. WANT TO GO ON SAFARI IN CHITWAN? On to the Chitwan National Park, which you can reach from Kathmandu and Pokhara. Here they run a very successful rhinoceros conservation project. A few years ago, Chitwan celebrated, for the second time in a row, a ‘zero-poaching’ year! What’s more, they have doubled their population of one-horned rhinoceros in the past decade. You’ll find more than 600 of these giant animals in the park. Others include elephants, gharial crocodiles, deer, and spectacular vultures. There is more than one way to go on safari in Chitwan. So, if an ox cart ride isn’t your thing, you can go on foot or via jeep. We advise you to not go on elephant back, because it’s simply not ethically recommended. WAY TO GO WWF! The Bengal tiger is at the top of the food chain in the wild. And you can bet that these creatures are also a vital link in the maintenance of nature’s rich diversity. It comes down to a simple and logical fact. When tigers are protected, much of the planet stands to gain. Think about it, with only a single tiger, almost 25,000 acres of forest or jungle is protected. These ecosystems, of course, supply both nature and people with fresh water, food, and health. That’s living life, isn’t it? BUDDHIST RETREATS It’s lovely to take time out of your safari and head for Lumbini, located in the western Terai plains of Nepal. It is the birthplace of Buddha. Here, the young Prince Siddhartha is believed to have taken seven steps and uttered a timeless message to all humanity. This happened in the mesmerizing Sal grove, which is the focal point of the Lumbini Garden area. In Kathmandu valley, Buddhists of all persuasions, as well as pilgrims from abroad (and safari-goers!), honor the Buddha at the two great stupas (commemorative monuments that house sacred relics associated with the Buddha), Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. Activities at these stupas and shrines commence at dawn and continue until late in the evening. ALL THINGS CLIMATE-WISE Of course you want to pack cleverly for your Nepalese safari, so here’s what you can expect weather-wise. In the north, the summers are cool, but the winters can be intense. If you head south, the summers are tropical and winters are wonderfully mild. Nepal has five seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter. In the Terai, in the south of Nepal, summer temperatures exceed 37°C (98°F) and higher in some areas. As for winter, temperatures range from 7 to 23°C (44 to 73°F). If you head for the mountains, hills, and valleys, summers are temperate while winter temperatures can drop to sub-zero. The Kathmandu Valley has an ambient climate with average summer and winter temperatures of 19 to 35°C (66 to 95°F) and 2° to 12°C (35 to 53°F). Today, we’re not touching on Everest – goodness knows, it’s a blog post on its own! You can expect one soon from TAG Safari. Right, back to the weather. The average temperature drops 6°C (43°F) for every 1,000 m (3,280 ft) gained in altitude. Nearly 80% of all the rain in Nepal falls during the monsoon (June until September) season. Winter rains are more frequent in the western hills. The average annual rainfall is an impressive 1,600 mm (63 inches). Visitors and safari-goers travel in and through Nepal throughout the whole year though. Even in December and January, when winter is utterly ridiculous, travelers will still be treated to bright sunshine and incredible views. If trekking is your thing, the best time to go is during spring and autumn. In spring, rhododendrons appear in abundance while the clearest skies can be gazed at during October and November – once the monsoon has dropped its attitude. The following is a Nepali quote: पञ्चमी, पूणिर्मा र एकादशीको दिन अनुष्ठाको आरम्भ गर्नु शुभ हुन्छ. As for its meaning, how about asking your Nepalese safari guide? We’re just giving you a taste of the unexpected. Here’s another quote to think about (as you make those trip arrangements): “May God of paradise shower you with a great deal of endowments and chances to fill your heart with joy. Great morning and fare thee well.”
