Established in 1973, Chitwan National Park is the first National Park of Nepal. It got the status of World Heritage Site in 1984. Located in inner Terai of Nepal the park covers 932 square kilometer. The park is stretched penetrating various districts of Nepal—Chitwan, Parsha, Makwanpur and Nawalparashi. The park ranges from 100m to 815m from sea level.
Parsa Wildlife Reserve lies in the east of Chitwan National Park. Similarly, in south Valmiki National Park of India is located. All these area including Chitwan National Park make an area of 2,075 square kilometer and it is regarded as Tiger Conservation Unit.
More than 700 species of wildlife are found here. More than 20 species of snakes including king cobra and rock python, tortoise and monitor lizards are common here.
Similarly, the Narayani-Rapti river system inhabits more than 113 species of fishes and around 20 and 40 species of mugger crocodiles and gharials respectively, are found.
Furthermore, the park inhabits around 70 species of animals of which the Royal Bengal Tiger—endangered species of planet—is the main attraction of the park. At present there are more than 130 tigers in Chitwan National park.
Clouded leopards, sloth bear, Bengal foxes, striped hyenas, wild dogs, golden jackals, fishing cats, jungle cats, leopard cats, various types of deer, large and small Indian civets among others are also seen in the park. The numbers of sloth bear at present is around 250.
One of the main reasons for the popularity of Chitwan National Park is One Horned Rhino. The number of rhino in Chitwan is around 600. It is easily observed in the park of Chitwan. Wild elephants are also common in the park and most of them visit here from Valmiki National Park.
Chitwan Natinal Park is the best destination for bird watchers. It is reported that more than 500 species of birds inhabit in the park. Some of the popular sigted birds in Chitwan National park are: Bengal florican, black-chinned yuhina, Gould's sunbird, blossom-headed parakeet and one slaty-breasted rail among others.
Reaching Chitwan National park is very easy from Kathmandu and Pokhara.Every day early in the morning many tourists bus leave for Chitwan and it is around four hour drive from the capital and also from Pokhara. By flight you can travel more convieniently to Chitwan National Park.The 20 minute's flight takes you to the Bharatpur Airport from where Chitwan National Park is just 10 km. You can either hire a private taxi or catch a bus for getting there. The guesthouses, resorts and lodge there are of standard quality meeting international measures.