Wildlife

Terai: Jungle & Grassland (up to approx. 300 m)

Here in the south beats the heart of Nepalese wildlife tourism. The Chitwan and Bardia National Parks are world-famous. Here you will encounter:

• One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): The symbol of Chitwan! The chances of seeing one of these prehistoric animals are very good.
• Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris): The king of the jungle. Sightings are a matter of luck (better in Bardia), but tracks are common.
• Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus): Wild herds roam mainly through Bardia.
• Crocodiles: Marsh muggers and the rare Gharial sunbathe on riverbanks.
• Deer Species & Antelopes: Axis deer, Sambar deer, Hog deer, and Blackbuck are important prey animals.
• Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus): Also native to the Terai.
• Birdlife: Over 550 bird species! A paradise for ornithologists (hornbills, kingfishers, eagles, vultures, etc.).

Midlands: Forests & Cultivated Landscape (approx. 600 - 3,000 m)

Here, the wildlife is less conspicuous but definitely present, especially in the forests and away from densely populated areas.

• Leopard (Panthera pardus): Widespread, but very shy and mostly nocturnal.
• Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus): Occurs in the forests but is rarely seen.
• Barking Deer (Muntjac): A small deer whose barking alarm call is often heard.
• Rhesus Macaques & Hanuman Langurs: Frequently encountered, often near temples and settlements.
• Wild Boar (Sus scrofa): Also found in forests and at the edges of fields.
• Bird Diversity: Here too, there are countless bird species, including many colorful pheasants like the Danphe (Himalayan Monal), Nepal's national bird.

Himal: Barren Heights & Specialists (above 3,000 m)

The wildlife of the high mountains is perfectly adapted to extreme conditions. This is where the true survival artists live.

• Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia): The "Ghost of the Mountains." Extremely rare and shy. Sightings are an absolute privilege.
• Blue Sheep (Bharal, Pseudois nayaur): Important prey for the snow leopard. Lives in herds above the tree line and is relatively common to see on treks (e.g., Dolpo, Manaslu, Annapurna, Everest).
• Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus): A goat-like species with shaggy fur, climbs skillfully in steep terrain.
• Musk Deer (Moschus spp.): A small, deer-like ungulate, heavily hunted for its musk and endangered.
• Yak (Bos grunniens): The indispensable domestic animal of the Himalayas (pack animal, milk, wool). Wild yaks are extremely rare.
• Marmots & Pikas: Smaller mammals of the alpine meadows, their whistles are often heard.
• Birds of Prey: Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture), Himalayan Griffon Vulture, and Golden Eagle use the thermals over the valleys.