Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is situated in Eastern Nepal and covers 175 sq. km. The reserve is named after the biggest river of Nepal the Koshi. You can see longer snake species, wild elephant, Gharial Crocodile & lizards, Black-necked Stork, greater Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Baer's Pochard, red-necked falcon, Bengal Florican, Great Stone Plover, Black-bellied Tern, Dusky Eagle Owl, Swamp Francolin, Marsh Warbler. Koshi Tappu supports large ungulates such as Wild Water buffalo, Bule Bull Antelope, Hog Deer etc. The park hosts 350 species of birds. The small wetland carnivore includes the rare Fishing Cat and Smooth coated otters. There are few rare Gangetic Dolphins found in the Koshi River. Usually visitors spend 4 days and 3 nights, but it is also possible to stay longer if you desire.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: A one hour flight from Kathmandu Biratnagar. Koshi Tapu camp staff will meet at the airport. With land rover waiting for you and transfer to camp. The drive will take about one and a half hour but we will stop for any interesting things we see on the way. The naturalist at Koshi Camp will brief on the facilities of the camp and the activities on arrival.
Day 02: The day always start with an early morning wake up call, which is the best time to see birds. Bird watching, on first light for the early walkers, in the camp premises and marshlands can be very rewarding to see the shy species like Crakes and Bitterns. The highly nocturnal Fishing cat which hunts in our camp ponds can sometimes be seen at dawn and dusk and one has to be very silent to approach the ponds. Breakfast will be followed with tea /coffee by a full day birds watching walk inside the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve with packed lunch. The area between the Camp and Kusaha (Park Headquarter) is the best area for birds and wildlife. The thin Indian Rosewood forest will provide excellent habitat for Warblers, Flycatchers, Oriole, Bush Warblers, Raptors and large varieties of Waders. Returning to the camp by late afternoon for a cup of tea/coffee or a bottle of Chilled beer! Dinner followed by briefing for the next days program.
Day 03: Today we make an early morning start after breakfast. We spend the good few hours floating down the Koshi river on a rubber boat. We shall spend the day looking for waders and raptors and some wild water buffaloes on the sand banks. We will find a good spot to nibble our packed lunches. We will come to end of our trip by early afternoon with a good few hours to explore the ponds and lagoons on our way back to camp. Driving back to camp will give us a very good chance to see the rare and endangered Swamp francolin, a specialist for Koshi.
Day 04: We spend the morning of today bird watching around the camp premises before breakfast. We take time off for packing and depending on the flight time we departure for Birtnagar airport, 2 hours before check-in time. Arrive Kathamndu from Biratnagar and transfer to hotel, free after noon for shopping and O/N hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 05: Optional one hour Mountain flight in the morning to the Everest, depend on your international flight schedule for onwards journey to home or other destination.
When to Visit?
The best time to visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is from October through May. This is a good period also to watch many winter migrants that abound at KoshiTapu. The month of May till the end of September, during the onset of the monsoon, thing are wetter because of rain when the temperature averages 22-29 degrees Celsius. To see Koshi at its best, we recommend a minimum of 3nights and 4 days stay at Koshi camp. This will provide you with the chance to visit the major sites in the area.
What to Bring with you?
Binoculars, Water bottle, hiking boots, sun cream, sun hat and glasses, medical supplies (Although we keep a general medical kit box at camp, you may wish to bring some medicines specific to you), reading books, flashlight and batteries, camera film and batteries, pocket knife, insect repellent and natural colored & lightest clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Please carry only the bare necessities but not jeweler and valuable items. During the winter months warm jacket etc swimming suits for summer.
How To Get There?
I/By Air: It is a 40 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. The camp is a little over an hour's drive from Biratnagar airport. There are at least 10 flights a day from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. Where you will be meet by our staff and transfer to the Camp.
II/ By surface: From Kakarvitta (coming from northeast India) it is roughly 3 hours drive to the camp along the east-west highway. From Chitwan it is 300 km that takes roughly 8 hours drive to reach the camp. From Kathmandu it is 500 km, which generally takes about 12 hours. We generally do not recommend driving straight from and to Kathmandu, as it is rather a long journey. Making your visit a combination of Chitwan and Koshi holidays can better enjoy this scenic route Koshi to chitwan. At Chitwan you may like to spend at least 2 nights to enjoy some of the birds and large mammals.
II/ By raft: if you are rafting in one of the tributaries of the Koshi River, stopping your boat at Madhuban easily accesses our camp. Given prior notice of your arrival we will send escorts for your group. Our Camp will be an ideal place to relax after a long journey down the river.
Note: The Koshi Tapu visit can be combined two days Nepal heritage tour in Kathmandu valley and 4-7 days village Culture trek in around the Mahabharat hills rim. It can make best combination of your holiday in Nepal. However we do our best to make your visit as best as possible and memorable one in the life times. You are welcome to inquiry us for details of tour, trek program's. People might curious to know how much it will cost trip such like this one. All the cost is depend on the durations of holiday and number of people you are with.
