Situated in the South-Central Nepal along the international borders with India, the Royal Chitwan National Park is home to some of the most endangered wildlife species in the world. The park till recently was a playground of Nepal/’s elite who hunted freely, but things have changed enormously and today it is the most protected forest zone in the country. Chitwan derives its name from the local word Chituwa Ban or Leopard Forest, though there are many more exceptions to this theory. According to another theory, the park derives its name from Sita Ban (forest of Sita), after the heroine of great Hindu epic Ramayana. To substantiate the legend, there is Balmiki Ashram at Triveni where it is said that Sita resided while in exile.

The park was officially established in 1973. In 1984, it became a World Heritage Site as notified by UNESCO. Drained by two major rivers Rapti and Narayani, the park covers subtropical forests housing a variety of wildlife including elephants, royal Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, leopard, sloth bear, and wild bison. Migration of wildlife across the borders to Valmiki National Park in India is a common phenomenon.

The Royal Chitwan National Park is the third most popular destination in Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara, and not without reasons. The range of flora and fauna found in the Park is amazing and administration of this place is a role model for other protected areas in the country. Though the park is well protected, you can still experience the feel of a real-life jungle. Sub-tropical jungles, elephant grasslands, hilly areas, and flood plains are all an integral part of park landscape. An elephant ride through the park gives you the opportunity to sight the denizens from close quarters, while a boat ride on the river through the jungles can be an exciting affair and a good option to move deep inside.

There are several exciting options for daylong and weekend trips from Chitwan National Park. The Gharial Breeding Centre is an important step towards the conservation and research on Gharial, one of the most endangered species. Lamital and Devital are two lakes flocked by migratory birds during winters. Bikram Baba is a Hindu religious site while Sauraha is the major commercial hub in the park region. The Elephant Breeding Centre is a response from the park authorities to increase the number of pachyderms who felicitate visitor transportation inside the park.