Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976, and covers an area of 175 sq.km. The reserve is named after the biggest river of Nepal, the Koshi.The waterbody supports more than 100 species of fish including the human size catfish known as Gonch, famous sporting fish the Mahasheer and delicious species the Jalkapoor. The large reptiles inhabiting this reserve includes the longest snake species of the sub continent the rare Indian Rock Python, globally threatened fish eating Gharial Crocodile and number of lizards and turtle species. The reserve and the adjacent area supports more than 450 bird species. During October to April one could be able to spot more than 100 species in a single day birding. Massive flocks of ducks numbering more than50,000 chiefly of Northern Pintails, Mallard and Northern Shoveler is a common sight during fall and winter. Globally threatened species occurring in this area includes Black-necked Stork, Greater Adujtant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Peregrine Falcon, Bengal Florican, Great Stone Plover, Black-bellied Ten-4 Dusky Eagle Owl, Swamp Francolin, Marsh Warbler etc. Koshi Tappu supports large ungulates such as Wild Water Buffalo, Blue Bull Antelope, Hog Deer etc.

It is the last refuge for the globally threatened Wild Water Buffalo (Arna in Nepali) in Nepal. Currently their population is about one hundred only. These bovine possesses the longest hom (about two meters in length) among any surviving mammals in the world and are aggressive in nature. The small wetland carnivore includes the rare Fishing Cat and Smooth-coated Otters. There are few rare Gangetic Dolphins found in the Koshi River.Bengal and Lesser Florican, Indian Courser, Hodgson's Bushchat can be found north of the Pink Tower. In the barrage Little Pratincole, Indian Skimmer, waders, gulls, terns etc can be seen.

One of the best times to visit this site is in February and early March when the main wildfowl passage takes place. In mid February a peak of over 50,000 ducks, mainly Northern Pintail have been estimated. A total of 25 wildfowl species have been recorded including regular sightings of Bar- headed Goose, Comb Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Falcated Duck, Red-crested Pochard. Wader passage also takes place during this period although it also extends into mid May. Pacific Golden Plover, Temmincks Stint, Pintail Snipe, and Marsh Sandpiper occur annually. In additions small numbers of gull and terns can be seen both wintering and on passage. These include Great Black- headed and Brown-headed Gulls, Gull-billed, Caspian and Whiskered Terms.It is also a best site to watch for birds of prey includes Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fish Eagle, White- tailed Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Pallid and Pied Harriers, Greater-spotted, Steppe and Imperial Eagles, Peregrine and Red-necked Falcon.

How to get there:

Surface	Travel along the Mahendra East West Highway, it is approximately 450km (10 hours drive) from Kathmandu.
Air	It is about an hour flight distance from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. The camp is about an hour scenic drive (50km) from Biratnagar Airport.
Naval	One can reach our camp by rafting down on one of the tribunaries of Koshi River.

Itinerary

Two Night Three Day Bird Watching & Safari
Day	Program
01	a.m. Arrival and brief introduction of the facility and program. 1.00 p.m.- Lunch 2.00 p.m. - Bird walk in the marshland outside the reserve to see the storks, ibises, snipes, waterfowl, birds of prey etc.6:30 p.m - Slide show on the natural history of the reserve followed by Nepali dinner.
02	6.30a.m. - Breakfast 7.30a.m. - Full day excursion on boat and four wheels drive with pack lunch to see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters, wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to Pink Tower (full day) 6.30p.m. - Cultural dance followed by barbecue dinner.
03	a.m. Bird watching around the camp area or leisure. 8.00 a.m. - Breakfast 9.00 a.m. - Departure
Three Night Four Day Bird Watching & Safari
Day	Program
01	a.m. Arrival and brief introduction of the facility and program. 1.00p.m. - Lunch 2.00p.m. - Bird walk in the marshland outside the reserve to see the storks, ibises, snipes, waterfowl, birds of prey etc. 6.30p.m. - Slide show on the natural history of the reserve followed by Nepali dinner
02	6.30a.m. - Breakfast 7.30a.m. - Full day excursion on boat and four wheels drive with pack lunch to see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters, wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to Pink Tower (full day) 6.30p.m. - Cultural dance followed by barbecue dinner.
03	6:30a.m. - Breakfast 7:30a.m. - Bird walk inside the reserve in the scrub forest, grasslands and wetland habitat with pack lunch to see swamp partridge, black-necked stork, buntings, bulbuls etc. 12.00 noon - Pack lunch2.00 p.m.- Continue bird watching or optional elephant ride to watch Arna the wild water buffalo, blue bull, hog deer, fishing eats etc. 6.30 p.m. - Stargazing 7.00 p.m. - Chinese Dinner
04	a.m. Bird watching around the camp area or leisure. 8.00 a.m. - Breakfast 9.00 a.m. - Departure.
Four Night Five Day Bird Watching & Safari
Day	Program
01	a.m. Arrival and brief introduction of the facility and program. 1.00p.m. - Lunch 2.00p.m. - Bird walk in the marshland outside the reserve to see the storks, ibises, snipes, waterfowl, birds of prey etc. 6.30p.m. - Slide show on the natural history of the reserve followed by Nepali dinner.
02	6.30a.m. - Breakfast 7.30a.m. - Full day excursion on boat and four wheels drive with pack lunch to see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters, wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to Pink Tower (full day) 6.30p.m. - Cultural dance followed by barbecue dinner.
03	6:30a.m. - Breakfast 7:30a.m. - Bird walk inside the reserve in the scrub forest, grasslands and wetland habitat with pack lunch to see swamp partridge, black-necked stork, buntings, bulbuls etc. 12.00noon - Pack lunch 2.00 p.m. - Continue bird watching or optional elephant ride to watch Arna the wild water buffalo, blue bull, hog deer, fishing eats etc. 6.30 p.m. - Stargazing 7.00 p.m. - Chinese Dinner
04	6.30a.m. - Breakfast 7.30a.m. - Proceed to deciduous forest near Chatara on four wheel drive to see racquet tailed drongo golden backed woodpeckers, pied hornbills, leaf birds, red-thighed falconet etc. with pack lunch (full day). 7:00 p.m - Continental dinner
05	a.m. Bird watching around the camp area or leisure. 8.00 a.m. - Breakfast 9.00 a.m. - Departure.