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A beautiful Himalayan country is sure to boast a wide variety of flora and fauna. With increase in population and the effects of global warming, necessary steps need to be taken in order to ensure that plants and animals have their life going on. A national park is one such protected area for the special species of flora and fauna of the region. In Nepal, there are numerous national parks to conserve and protect wildlife and their natural habitat.

Top 12 National Parks In Nepal

Explore these 12 national parks of Nepal to witness the raw beauty of nature, present in its absolute form and to a great extent, untouched by human intervention. Here is a list of national parks in Nepal you must explore on your trip.

1. Shey Phoksundo National Park

Shey Phoksundo National Park_23rd oct

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This is probably the oldest national park of Nepal. It was established in the year 1984 to preserve the natural surroundings and animals. It is located in the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal, which lies in the north west. The mountains surrounding the water body gives you scenic beauty to view and experience the magic of nature. Reaching there is possible through the air route and some time of walk. The best time to visit this place is the summers as the winters could be very harsh there.

Location: Palam, Dolpa District
Entry fee: INR 2338/-

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2. Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park

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This one is also established in the year 1984 located in the mid-mountain region of Nepal. It sports a variety of animals and plants like leopard, Kalij pheasant, butterflies, moth, etc. The park was named after the late Khaptad swami came at this region to meditate and worship. The best season to visit this place is during spring i.e. from march to may and autumn from October to November. The highlight of this one is the presence of a lot of medicinal plants.

Location: Doti district
Entry fee: INR 343/- per person

3. Bardia National Park

Bardia National Park

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The national park was established in the year 1988, located in the year Terai region of Nepal. The karnali river flows nearby i.e. one of its eastern side flows nearby it. There are numerous adventurous activities to explore while trying to spot your favourite animal. You could go for jeep safari, have guided jungle walk go river rafting, or simply experience camping at one of the beautiful sites of Nepal.

Location: Thakurdwara, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 937 per person

Suggested Read: 5 Magnificent Waterfalls In Nepal Every Traveler Must Visit While At This Trekker’s Paradise!

4. Langtang National Park

first national park in Nepal

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It is the first national park established in the year 1976. It is located in the north of Kathmandu. The highlights of this national park are the Langtang valley, holy lakes at Gosainkunda, etc. there are deep gorges with thick forests. The animals spotted here are wild dog, ghoral, Himalayan tahr, impeyan, pheasants, etc. Another interesting feature is the Janai Purnima festival which attracts a lot of travellers. It is celebrated every year in the month of August. So the best time to visit this park is from march to November.

Location: Helambu, 45007, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 2118 per person

Suggested Read: Visit The Bardia National Park To Experience Nepal’s Absolute Wilderness

5. Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park

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The location of this national park is towards the north-east of Kathmandu in the Kumbu region. This park has snow leopard, one of the most sought after species to view once you are in a national park. The ones which come naturally in your way while visiting this park is tahr, serow, weasel, maren, langur monkey, etc. This park also hosts living for the Sherpas who live in here. One of the most striking features of this park is that it is the situated at the highest height i.e. 9700 feet above sea level. The best time to visit this area is either in the autumn months of October to November or in the summer from March to May.

Location: Province no. 1, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 937 per person


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6. Parsa Wildlife Reserve

Wildlife Reserve

This national park is centrally located from the country’s perspective. There are a wide variety of plant and animal species available like sloth bear, leopard, snakes like king cobra, etc. It is located nearer to Chitwan national park. It has an area of 499 sq. ft. with fantastic Sal trees majorly. The best time to visit this place is between May to September.

Location: Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal
Entry fee: INR 62 per person

Suggested Read: Langtang National Park In Nepal: A Nature’s Treasure Hidden In Wilderness

7. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

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The wildlife reserve is located in the eastern side of Nepal in the Saptari and Sunsari districts. A river named sapta-koshi flows nearby and floods this region during monsoon. Wild buffalo is an important animal which could be spotted here with certainty. Other animals, birds, fishes also exist in this national park. The national ark is home to the rare species of birds found exclusively in this region. The best time to visit this one could be somewhere between October to May.

Location: Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal
Entry fee: INR 468 per person

Suggested Read: Top 51 National Parks In India: A List You Just Can’t Ignore!

8. Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park

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One of the most famous national parks is situated in the south-west region of Kathmandu. It is home to One-horned rhinoceros and royal Bengal tiger. Various other species of flora and fauna also exist like bison, wild boar, birds, etc. the best feature about this park is the possibility of elephant back excursions, canoe trips, river rafting, nature walks, etc. the best time to visit this park is anytime between may till September.

Location: Subarnapur 44200, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 2000 for a foreigner, INR 1000 for Indians

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9. Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

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The location of Shuklaphanta national park is towards the southern portion of Kanchanpupr district of Nepal. The highlight of this area is the vast population of swamp deer and also the rare Bengal Florican. Other species of animals and plants are also spotted like kraits, Indian python, rat snakes, etc. another interesting thing is the availability of jungle safari to explore the park. The best part of the year to visit this place is February to may or from mid-September to mid-December. You can locate national parks of Nepal in map which you get locally.

Location: Mahakali, 10400, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 470 per person
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM

10. Makalu Barun National Park

Makalu Barun National Park

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This national park covers an area of around 2300 sq. kms and above. The park has great landmarks as its boundaries from four sides. In the eastern side, the Arun river passes by, in the west is the Sagarmatha national park, from the north Nepal china border makes the boundary while Saune Danda hill mark the southern boundary. The humungous species of birds and their chirping is a treat to the ears. Also there are animals present like langur monkey, serow, Himalayan weasel, etc. The best time to visit this is from October to November or from march to April.

Location: Mahakali, 10400, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 937 per person

11. Annapurna National Park

Is Annapurna Trek for everyone

Views of lush, fertile farmland and undisturbed natural forest, snow covered mountains, and encounters with a mixture of many ethnic communities, all add up to a diverse range of experiences that make the Annapurna trek one of the most satisfying treks among all destinations in Nepal. You will have the time of your life here. Make sure to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes while trekking.

Location: Jomsom 33100, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 937 per person

12. Rara National Park

Lakes Of Nepal

Rara National Park is surrounded by alpine coniferous vegetation and offers a representative sample of the region’s flora and fauna. More than 500 different kinds of flowers, 20 different species of mammals and 214 species of birds can be observed in the Rara National Park. As for life in the lake, the snow trout is one of the fish varieties recorded so far.

Location: Rara 21106, Nepal
Entry fee: INR 2118 per person

Further Read: 10 Pristine Lakes Of Nepal That Ooze Serenity & Tranquility

There are a number of national parks in Nepal. So visiting a national park of another country altogether could be so much fun. You could spot some species from your nation too. Why not book a Nepal vacation with Travel Triangle and enjoy these! You will have the time of your life, we assure you! 

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Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks In Nepal

Which is the youngest national park of Nepal?

Banke National Park is the youngest national park of Nepal. It was established in 2010. It lies near Nepalgunj.

Which is the biggest wildlife reserve of Nepal?

Shey-Phoksundo National Park is the biggest wildlife reserve of Nepal. It is situated in the mountain region of western Nepal, covering parts of Dolpa and Mugu Districts.

Which is the longest waterfall of Nepal?

Hyatung Falls is he longest waterfall of Nepal.


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