Bardia Hideaway Cottage - Bardia National Park, Nepal

New website and name

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Because of confusion with other camps in the park we have decided to change our name and website: Mr B's Place

Tigers, Rhinoceros and Elephants in Bardia National Park

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Bardia contains about 25 wild tigers at present (January 2009) and several mothers with cubs.
Their numbers have been severely affected by the conflict over the last few years but it is still possible to view them if you are lucky.

Simon Mustoe, an Australian Ecologist made the following sketches and notes when he last visited the park:

About a 45 minute walk from the camp in Bardia, we had just begun to watch a stretch of river when a tiger began to roar from the forest on the opposite river bank. Ten minutes later, it appeared and spent about 25 minutes on the river bank, first drinking and then bathing, before heading across the river. Everyone got fantastic views!

There are also many wild elephants which can be viewed including two large males that have been causing many problems for local people over the last few years. There are lots of stories about them throwing rocks back at villagers who try to scare them from their fields and local people also report watching them pushing over the electric fence posts with their outstretched foot, when these fences were first errected to keep them off the fields.

There are also several rhinos in the park which are best viewed when near to the river or from the back of an elephant, they can be very difficult to see in the jungle as they hide in deep cover when they think people are around.

Welcome to our Bardia National Park Website

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Family Gallery

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Building Bardia Hideaway Cottage Gallery

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Rara National Park Information

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Rara National Park General Information Rara National Park in the far north western part of Nepal offers a representative sample of the region's flora and fauna. Sprawled over Mugu and Jumla districts, the heart of the park is the country's biggest lake, Lake Rara, from where the park gets it's name. The lake is as deep as 167m in places and drains into the River Mugu Karnali via Nijar Khola. Vegetation The park is mainly covered by coniferous forest while the area around the lake is dominated by blue pine. Rhododendron, juniper, spruce, oak and cypress are found around 3000m, while at higher altitudes pine, spruce and fir are more common. Mammals The rich vegetation of the park is home to the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, wild yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus maqaque and common otter. Birds During winter the park abounds in 272 species of birds such as coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganser and gulls. Migrant water fowls and gallinaceous birds can be seen during certain seasons. Fish As for water life in the lake three species of snow trout are recorded so far. Best season Feb-April and Oct-Nov Trekking Many fantastic treks can be organised in this area, ranging from 3 days up to 30 days. Trekking here is completely unlike trekking in the more popular areas of Nepal. It is possible to fly into several local airports in the area to reduce trekking time or to use the airports to leave at the end of a longer trek starting from Bardia National Park We are a small family business based at Bardia National Park with many years of experience of organising treks in the remoter areas of Rara, Jumla, Mugu, Dolpo and Khaptad. We are all trained wildlife guides and also qualified trekking guides. We rely on personal recommendations for most of our business. For more information got to: http://bardiahideawaycottage.blogspot.com

Khaptad National Park Information

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Food

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During the low season Kali, Bina and B do the cooking, but in the high season we employ an experienced cook.

We are in the process of building an open kitchen which we will encourage guests to use. We intend to have several cooking places and can provide pots and pans and cooking utensils although you'll have to do your own washing up.

You are also welcome to go to other lodges and eat there, many of them have excellent menu's and we feel that it should be completely up to you where you eat or spend your time. You are our guest not our prisoner.

There is an excellent little restaurant about 100m from our camp and there are also small cafes in Thakurdwara village 15 minutes walk away.

Typical food that we can provide includes:

Breakfast
Fruit salads / Porridge / Toast / Hash browns / omelettes / eggs all styles

Lunch
Packed lunches / Sandwiches / Noodles / Chiow Mein / Macaroni

Dinner
A variety of Nepali / Indian / Chinese / Continental Food

If you have any special dietary requirements then just let us know and we will see what we can do.

Nature's Way in Bardia National Park

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Our old camp was called 'Nature's Way' and we ran it for about 10 years. It was very simple and beautiful and really reflected our philosophy about nature.

During the conflict we had very few guests and it was impossible to continue to rent the land from the landlord. We had to remove all the materials used in building the camp and leave it. We have used the materials to build our new camp, so they didn't go to waste. There is still a little bit of Nature's Way in Bardia Hideaway Cottage!!

Our name 'Nature's Way' was registered by another hotel owner with the government last year so we lost our name as well.

We have many fantastic memories of Nature's Way but we now own our own land and feel more secure with Bardia Hideaway Cottage which is in an ideal position right by the park entrance.

Costs at Bardia National Park

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Room Costs

Type of room	Cost ( Nepali Rupees)
Modern 2 bed with attached bathroom	600 R
Modern Tharu Style with attached bathroom	350 R
Room in our house with external bathroom	250R

Activity Costs

Activity	Time Needed	Cost (Nepali Rupees)
Nature Walk	Full or Half Day	650 R (400R)
Camping in Jungle	1 Night / 2 Days	3000 R + Equipment rental
Wildlife Rafting	Full Day	Table of Prices
Elephant Ride	1 Hour	1500 R
Jeep Drive	Full Day	Table of Prices
Fishing	Full Day	1600 R
Dolphins	Full Day	900 R
Black Buck Reserve	Full Day	900 R
Crocodile Watching	Full Day	900 R
Canoeing (Dug Out)	1 Hour	300 R
Birdwatching	Full Day	900 R
Wildlife Research	Full Day	1200 R
Elephant Rehabilitation Centre	3 Hours	50 R donation
Crocodile Breeding Centre	1 Hour	30 R donation
Village Tour	Any time you want	Donation
Community Work	To be arranged	Free
Culture Dance	2 hours	1500 R any group size

Every day inside the park also needs a park entry fee of 500 Rupees.

Children under 10 don't pay to enter the park.

Packages at Bardia National Park

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We can put together some packages for your stay in Bardia if you would prefer to have everything organised for you so you don't need to think at all or if your time is very limited.

All food and accommodation is provided

2 Nights 3 Days: 5,000 Rupees

Arrival day: Village tour / Crocodile Centre

Day 2: - Elephant ride - Blackbuck / Dolphin tour

Day 3: - Nature walk

3 Nights 4 Days 8,000 Rupees

Arrival day: - Village tour / Crocodile Centre

Day 2: - Nature Walk through Park to Camping Spot

Day 3: - Camping in Jungle- Nature Walk for Tiger Sporting - Canoeing for Dolphin Viewing

Day 4: - Elephant ride- Blackbuck / Dolphin tour / Bird Watching

4 Night 5 days: 10,000 Rupees

Arrival Day:- Village tour / Crocodile

Day 2: - Nature walk

Day 3: - Elephant ride – Dolphin / Blackbuck Tour

Day 4: - Tiger Spotting - Camping / Relaxing

Day 5: - Bird Watching & Canoeing and walk to tiger spot again (Nature walk)

Soft drinks and alcohol are extra for all packages

We can also add Wildlife Rafting to the packages but the price is very dependent on numbers as we have to rent all the equipment. See Wildlife Rafting for full details

General Info about trekking in Jumla (Humla), Rara, Mugu and Khaptad

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We have trekking qualifications issued by the Nepalese government that allow us to guide up to a maximum altitude of 5000m although we are allowed to take people over a pass to sleep at lower altitudes.

We have loads of experience of organising and guiding treks in some of the more remote areas of Nepal.

During the conflict this was one of the few ways for us to make a living. Many of these places are rarely visited and offer an experience that you will not get with the more commercial areas of Nepal such as Langtang, Annapurna or the Everest region.

Many people still wear full traditional dress and are as fascinated to see you as you will be to see them.

Having B, Resham or Kali with you means that you also have a qualified wildlife guide with you as well and you can combine these treks with birdwatching if you wish.

Bardia is an ideal place to start many of these treks, or you can easily fly from Nepalganj to closer to Rara, Humla, Khaptad, Dolpo or Dolpu (Mugu).

Our longer treks often start from here and the shorter ones involve a flight to the starting point and sometimes even a flight back out to reduce the time still further.

Here are some example treks and prices although we can organise different length treks depending on the time you have available.:

4 days – Telpani to Chisapani
All inclusive trek including guide, porters, cook and accommodation:
$160/person

10 days – Khaptad National Park
All inclusive trek including permits, guide, cook, porters and all accommodation:
$380/person
More Information about Khaptad National Park

30 days – Jumla (Humla), Rara or Mugu

All inclusive trek including flights, permits, guide, cook, porters and all accommodation:
$1085 Person
More Information about these areas

For all areas we can organise shorter treks ranging between 3 and 10 days by flying in and out of the area.

These prices are approximate prices for groups of 2. For larger groups we can reduce the prices a little. If you fly out of the area then costs will be a little higher.

You will find that our prices are extremely competitive and you should read the Testimonials to see what our customers thought of our service.

Please contact us through the Information/Booking form if you would like to organise anything different or have ideas of your own. We will see what we can do.

Community Service at Bardia National Park

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For school groups or interested parties we can help you organise service to the local community, which might include making wells, helping at the local schools, building work, studying the ground water, building toilets......etc

Please contact us through the Booking/Information form if you are interested in this activity or have any specific ideas that you would like to organise. We will let you know what is possible.

We can also organise activities for International Baccalaureate Students who need to do CAS for their qualifications and we have previous experience of school groups and summer camp groups as well as a one 'Brat Camp' group that came last year..

Village Homestay at Bardia National Park

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We can organise a stay in a local Tharu home if you are really interested in the Tharu culture and this can be a unique experience. All our family speak the local language and can help with translation and explaining things that you want to know.

You will find that the Tharu are as interested in you as you are in them.

Please contact us through the Booking/Information form if you are interested in this activity.

Cultural Dance at Bardia National Park

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It is possible to organise a cultural dance by the local Tharu people and is a very popular activity for groups. You will have the opportunity to take photographs of everyone in their traditional dress.

There is a fixed charge of 1500 Rupees for any size group and it lasts for a couple of hours.

Village Walks and Tours at Bardia National Park

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The local village of Thakurdwara and all the smaller villages in the area can be visited just by walking around on your own.

You will find everyone very friendly and many of the children will be desperate to practice their English with you.

Thakurdwara is about 10 minutes walk from our camp and has a small internet cafe with 5 computers. The connection isn't the fastest but it is easily possible to check your email.

There are also many small stalls selling Pakora, Samosas, Tea and soft drinks.
You can also get your hair cut or get a shave.

Kali or any of our children can show you around some of the smaller villages near our camp and you can also see inside some of the Tharu homes.

This will help you get an insight into how people live in this area, their farming practices and the kinds of domestic animals that people keep.

It is also possible to cycle around or just relax and enjoy watching family life.

Tharu houses are often covered with interesting relief designs designed to ward off evil spirits

Crocodile Breeding Centre at Bardia National Park

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Just five minutes walk from Bardia Hideaway Cottage there is a Crocodile Breeding Centre run by the Park Authorities.

For a 30 Rupee donation you can spend as long as you want observing the Gharial and Marsh Mugger Crocodiles that are being bred here for eventual release into the park

This is an ideal activity to do in the morning before you go to see the wild ones living on the Babai river.

Elephant Rehabilitation Centre at Bardia National Park

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Just 45 minutes walk from Bardia Hideaway Cottage there is an Elephant Rehabilitation Centre with about 20 elephants who have either been rescued from private owners, orphaned by poachers or sent to Bardia by other wildlife agencies,

Each day the Mahoots take the elephants into the park to forage for food and it is possible to view them washing and crossing the rivers for free.

If you want a closer look you can go the the centre and for a 50 Rupees donation you can spend as long as you want watching them there. The best time for this is in the late afternoon as the elephants return from their feeding.

The mahoots and centre staff will encourage you to feed the babies who are very confident and playful.

We can tell you how to get there independently or you can use one of our children to show you the way.

Wildlife Research at Bardia National Park

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'B' already assists the Park Authorities with much of their research, being involved in the recent Tiger count, training many of the researchers from various Universities in South Asia who visit the park to study the flora and fauna, guiding TV crews from all over the world to some of the more isolated areas of the park.

Having grown up in the area and worked as a guide for the last 15 years 'B' has a fantastic knowledge of all the habitats around the area.

If you are involved in any specialist research then it is possible to have 'B' guide you to areas suitable for your studies for 1200 Rupees per day including all food. We can arrange a comprehensive plan for a several day period.

Please contact us through the Booking/Information form for more details about this specialist activity.

Dug-Out Canoeing at Bardia National Park

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This is a fun activity which can be done not far from Bardia Hideaway Cottage.

We can rent the dug-outs from local families and use them to explore some of the calmer channels of the Karnali as it passes close to Thakurdwara.

Apart from during them monsoon, the river is flat and very slow moving and the canoes give us an ideal way to sneak up on birds along the river banks as well as other wildlife that lives outside the park.

Initially the canoes feel very unstable but it doesn't take long to get used to them.

Costs are about 300 Rupees per hour depending on how hard we manage to bargain with their owners.

Crocodile Watching at Bardia National Park

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It is possible to go and watch crocodiles in a couple of places near Bardia..

There are two species of crocodile in the area, the Gharial Crocodile (pictured) and the Marsh Mugger Crocodile.

We can take you to see them in a great place not far from the road on the Babai River about 30km from Thakurdwara.

This can be done as a whole day trip or the Babai river crocodiles can be combined with a trip to the Black Buck reserve near the Indian border.

We can arrange a guide, all food and transport for a maximum 900R per person.
The price becomes less if there are more people in the group.

Black Buck Reserve near Bardia National Park

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Near the Indian border there is a reserve for the rare Black Buck.

We can either go on motorbike from our camp if there is only one person, or use public transport or even rent a vehicle if there is a large enough group.

Simon Mustoe, an ecologist from Australia drew these sketches and made the following notes while visiting the Reserve:

Khairi Panditpur, c. 30km SE of the Bardia Park head quarters.
Dark colour fades after rutting period (Feb-Mar), although males retain distinctive horns and white eye-patch

The Blackbuck, all 43 of them, persist in an area of "phanta" (grassland) only about 15 ha in size, that is bordered by forest on one side and completely deforested on the river.

The animals are under enormous pressure from settlements, some of them of Indian origin, others recently freed bonded labour, comprising camps of people with no welfare support. Some of the huts between the grassland and the remaining swamp forest where the Black Buckseek refuge from the hot midday sun, are only 200m from the herds≥ During our brief visit, cattle grazers and bicycles loaded with produce crossed the centre of the grassland continuously.

The grassland and forest exists on on damp ground and the Blackbuck seem to be mainly associated with the lighter grasses growing in lower-lying and damper areas. These patches which are green still, in the hot season's sun, are where all the animals rested during our visit.

Disturbance to the grassland has seemingly begun to change the character of the grassland and more 'coarse' grass types prevail where over-grazing has not reduced the sward completely.

Although hunting pressure is now quite low, Blackbuck are increasingly coming into contact with people and they are occasionally trapped, for feeding on adjacent crops - planted on areas of fairly recent clear fell and presumably supplementary nourishment in the absence of suitable natural grassland.

The population over the last few years has declined considerably. Blackbuck appears on the Nepalese Rs10 bank note.

We can arrange entry to the park, transport, food and a guide for a maximum 900R per person, the price being less if more people want to go.

We can also combine this trip with watching the crocodiles on the Babai river.

Dolphin Watching at Bardia National Park

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There are two places within the local area where the rare Gangetic Dolphin can be seen. One place is not far from Thakurdwara and can be done in a half day walk and canoe ride from our camp.

There's also a good place to see them further away near Chisapani. It is normally possible to see these beautiful finless creatures without too much trouble and local fisherman can help us find them if they have moved to a different area of the river.

Everything can be arranged including guide, food and transport to both destinations for a maximum of 900R per person. The price becomes less as the group size becomes larger.

Fishing at Bardia National Park

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It is possible to arrange fishing inside the park on either the Karnali River or the Babai river (the two rivers that border and cross the park) There are many species of fish living in the river and we can guide you to some of the best fishing spots in the area.

This is a full day activity and costs 1600 Rupees which includes park entrance, fishing permits, a guide for the day and all necessary food. Please contact us through the Information/Booking form for more details about this activity.

Jungle Drive at Bardia National Park

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Some people might choose to drive around the small network of tracks through the park.

This is a more expensive but excellent way to get deeper into the park in a shorter period of time.

It is also ideal for people who have problems walking long distances or struggle with the rough terrain.

We can arrange hire of the vehicle, all necessary permits, a guide and food for the day for the following prices:

Number of People	Cost per person (Rupees)
1	8000
2	4500
3	3500
4	3000
5	2800
6	2600