Bardiya in southwest Nepal is a unique adventure destination you must go to. There are plenty of activities for solo travellers and couples to enjoy while visiting here. A visit to a Bardia homestay will be packed with nature, cultural activities, and some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in Nepal. You can go birdwatching, see more than 250 bird species, and take an open-hood jeep jungle safari while exploring the Bardiya National Park. Or learn all about the fascinating Tharu culture of this part of Nepal.
1. Spot a Tiger in Bardiya National Park
“Real wildlife experience”- Katja
Bardiya is a perfect place to explore nature - it has a rich flora and fauna, and offers some of the best wildlife viewings in Nepal. The national park of Bardiya is an unspoiled wilderness of sal & riverine forest, grassland and a growing population of Bengal Tigers. Bardia is one of the best places in Nepal to spot this majestic animal. You might be able to see a Tiger in Bardia National Park with a local expert guide. If you don't get to look a tiger in the eye, you may see or hear other mammals and animals living in Bardiya, such as rhinos, wild elephants, crocodiles, and various deer species. You might also come across some of the uncommon bird species. If you're lucky, you could encounter an endangered Gangetic dolphin in the Karnali River.
2. Stay with local Tharu families in a Community homestay in Bardiya
“A step back in time with the mud floors and walls, but I liked it a lot. If you are looking for authenticity, you will enter and leave with a smile :)” - Sofie Goossens
You can stay with locals in Bardia at the Community Homestay for a unique experience of local village life and hospitality while living like you are part of the family. Bardiya is home to the Tharu tribe, and you will experience their colourful, unique culture, art, tradition, and way of life while staying with your host family in a traditional house made of mud, bamboo, and wood. Learn more about them during cooking and dinner-time chats or while they show what they do for a living.
3. Stay overnight in a Machhan "Tree House"
During this exclusive experience, you stay overnight in a Macchan "Tree House," which is located high above the forest floor of the Bardia community forest. From this vantage point, you will have the opportunity to spot animals as they walk, fly, and sleep in this protected forest. This is a unique jungle experience where you will literally feel the wild all around you—a night you will never forget.
4. Traditional Tharu Cultural Program dances and music
Experiencing the Tharu Cultural Program dance with music is a great way to end the evening. Dance is an integral part of a person's culture in Bardiya. You will have the opportunity to join the traditional dancing. The rhythmic drumbeat accompanies this beautiful folk art form while dancers perform intricate hand & feed movements and show the famous Tharu stick dance
5. Birdwatching in Bardiya Shiva Community Forest
Near Bardiya National Park, you can find the Bardiya community forest, which has many species of trees and plants, some of which are endemic to Nepal. The community forest offers an excellent opportunity for bird-watching or appreciating the beautiful natural surroundings. Locals manage Bardiya Community Forest. It's a great opportunity to experience this forest with the local guides who know the best spots and trails to view birds. There are many bird species in Bardiya, including black ibis and kingfishers. While walking through the jungle and spotting birds, you will also have the opportunity to see other wildlife.
Those were the best things to do in Bardiya, Nepal, a must-visit place for solo travellers, families, or groups of friends who love nature, wildlife, and learning about local traditions.
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