Nepal protects more than 23% of its land as national parks, conservation areas, wildlife reserves, and hunting reserves. This is remarkable for a country of its size — and it exists because Nepal’s wildlife is some of the most diverse in South Asia.
From the Bengal tiger in the Terai to the snow leopard in the high Himalaya, from the one-horned rhinoceros to the red panda, Nepal’s protected areas shelter thousands of species. This is your complete guide.
Overview of Nepal’s Protected Areas
| Type | Count | Total Area |
|---|---|---|
| National Parks | 12 | ~10,747 km² |
| Conservation Areas | 6 | ~8,463 km² |
| Wildlife Reserves | 12 | ~1,159 km² |
| Hunting Reserve | 1 | 1,325 km² |
| Ramsar Sites (wetlands) | 10 | ~605 km² |
The largest protected area is Annapurna Conservation Area (7,629 km²). The oldest is Chitwan National Park, established in 1973.
The 12 National Parks of Nepal
1. Chitwan National Park (1973)
Nepal’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984). Located in Chitwan and Nawalpur districts.
Wildlife: Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, gaur, wild elephant, Gangetic dolphin, 544 bird species, 56 reptile species.
How to visit: Fly or drive from Kathmandu to Bharatpur (Chitwan). Safari (jeep, canoe, walking) available from Sauraha or Kasara. Best time: October–March.
Entry fee: NPR 2,000 for foreigners (per day).
2. Sagarmatha National Park (1976)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site (1979) containing Mount Everest and the Sherpa homeland. Located in Solukhumbu.
Wildlife: Snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, red panda, 208 bird species.
How to visit: Fly to Lukla, then trek to Namche Bazaar and beyond. Everest Base Camp trek passes through.
Entry fee: NPR 3,000 for foreigners.
3. Bardiya National Park (1988)
Nepal’s largest Terai park (968 km²), in Bardiya district. The best place in Nepal to see tigers (highest density in the country).
Wildlife: Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino, wild elephant, Gangetic dolphin, 839 plant species.
How to visit: Fly to Nepalgunj, then drive 2 hours to Thakurdwara. Fewer crowds than Chitwan.
Entry fee: NPR 1,500 for foreigners.
4. Rara National Park (1976)
Nepal’s smallest national park (106 km²), surrounding the spectacular Rara Lake — the largest lake in Nepal (10.8 km²). Located in Mugu and Jumla districts.
Wildlife: Himalayan black bear, musk deer, 214 bird species. Home to rare endemic fish species.
How to visit: Fly to Talcha airport, then a 2–3 hour walk. Or trek 10 days from Jumla.
Entry fee: NPR 3,000 for foreigners.
5. Langtang National Park (1976)
Nepal’s first Himalayan national park, closest to Kathmandu (32 km north). Located across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Sindhupalchok.
Wildlife: Red panda, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, 345 bird species.
How to visit: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (7–8 hours), then trek the Langtang Valley. The 2015 earthquake damaged much of the infrastructure but the park is reopened.
Entry fee: NPR 3,000 for foreigners.
6. Shey Phoksundo National Park (1984)
Nepal’s largest national park (3,555 km²), home to Phoksundo Lake (Nepal’s deepest at 145m). Located in Dolpa district.
Wildlife: Snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, blue sheep, Himalayan black bear.
How to visit: Fly to Juphal (Dolpa), then trek 2 days to Phoksundo Lake. Lower Dolpo and Upper Dolpo treks both pass through.
Entry fee: NPR 3,000 for foreigners.
7. Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (2002)
The park closest to Kathmandu (12 km from the city center). Popular for day hikes and birding. Located in Kathmandu, Nuwakot, and Sindhupalchok.
Wildlife: 318 bird species, 129 butterfly species, leopard, jungle cat.
How to visit: Taxi from Kathmandu to Budhanilkantha or Nagi Gompa. Great for half-day hikes.
Entry fee: NPR 1,000 for foreigners.
8. Banke National Park (2010)
Nepal’s newest national park (550 km²), in Banke district. Part of the Terai Arc Landscape connecting Bardiya and Chitwan.
Wildlife: Tiger, elephant, leopard, swamp deer.
Entry fee: NPR 1,500 for foreigners.
9. Parsa National Park (2017, upgraded from Wildlife Reserve)
In Parsa district, connected to Chitwan. 627 km².
Wildlife: Tiger, wild elephant, gaur, four-horned antelope.
Entry fee: NPR 1,500 for foreigners.
10. Suklaphanta National Park (1976, upgraded 2017)
In Kanchanpur district, 305 km². Famous for the largest herd of swamp deer in the world (over 2,000 individuals).
Wildlife: Swamp deer, tiger, wild elephant, hispid hare.
Entry fee: NPR 1,500 for foreigners.
11. Khaptad National Park (1984)
In the Far West, 225 km², spanning Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, and Doti. Sacred to Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.
Wildlife: Leopard, musk deer, 224 bird species.
Entry fee: NPR 1,500 for foreigners.
12. Makalu Barun National Park (1992)
In Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu, 1,500 km². Contains Mount Makalu (8,463m).
Wildlife: Snow leopard, red panda, musk deer.
Entry fee: NPR 3,000 for foreigners.
Conservation Areas
Unlike national parks, conservation areas allow human settlement and are managed with community participation.
- Annapurna Conservation Area (7,629 km²) — Nepal’s largest protected area
- Manaslu Conservation Area (1,663 km²)
- Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (2,035 km²)
- Blackbuck Conservation Area (0.16 km²)
- Api Nampa Conservation Area (1,903 km²)
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area (2,179 km²)
Ramsar Wetlands
Nepal has 10 Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance), including:
- Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve — famous for wild water buffalo
- Beeshazar Tal (Chitwan) — Ramsar site since 2003
- Jagadishpur Reservoir (Kapilvastu)
- Ghodaghodi Tal (Kailali)
- Phoksundo Lake (Dolpa)
- Gosaikunda (Rasuwa)
Wildlife You Can See
| Species | Where to See |
|---|---|
| Bengal Tiger | Chitwan, Bardiya, Parsa |
| One-horned Rhino | Chitwan, Bardiya |
| Snow Leopard | Mustang, Dolpa, Solukhumbu |
| Red Panda | Ilam, Taplejung, Rasuwa |
| Gangetic Dolphin | Bardiya (Karnali River) |
| Wild Elephant | Jhapa, Chitwan, Bardiya |
| Himalayan Tahr | Solukhumbu, Rasuwa |
| Musk Deer | Rara, Khaptad |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many national parks are there in Nepal? Nepal has 12 national parks, plus 6 conservation areas, 12 wildlife reserves, and 1 hunting reserve.
Q: What is the most famous national park in Nepal? Chitwan National Park — Nepal’s first (1973) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984).
Q: Which national park is best for tiger sightings? Bardiya National Park has the highest tiger density in Nepal. Chitwan is also excellent.
Q: How much is the entry fee for national parks in Nepal? Fees vary. Chitwan and Sagarmatha charge NPR 2,000–3,000 for foreigners. Others charge NPR 1,000–1,500.
Q: Which is the largest national park in Nepal? Shey Phoksundo National Park (3,555 km²) is the largest.