Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the flood plain of the Sapta-Koshi in Saptri and Sunsari Districts of eastern Nepal. The area is define by the eastern and western embankments of the river. Koshi Tappu Reserve, gazette in 1976, was establish mainly to preserve habitat for the remaining population of wild buffalo in Nepal.

Koshi Tappu is a rectangular shape reserve, approximately 10 km wide and 10 km long, stretching northward from the Nepal/India border along the SaptaKoshi River. However, SaptaKoshi is one of the three main tributaries of the Ganges. The reserve offers important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The last surviving population (about 100 individuals) of wild buffalo or arna are found here. They are distinguish from domestic animals by their much bigger horns. Other mammals occurring here are hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer and blue bull.

The reserve also assists the local economy by providing fishing permits and allowing the collection of edible fruits and ferns in season. Similarly, 280 different species of birds have been records in the reserve. These include twenty species of ducks, two species of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons and the endanger swamp partridge and Bengal florican. The Koshi Barrage is extremely important as a resting place for migratory birds and many species recorded  are not seen elsewhere in Nepal. The endanger Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been record in the Koshi river.

How to get there?

By Flight: Easiest way to reach Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve is by flying 30m to Biratnagar domestic airport from Kathmandu. And further driving around 2 hrs you will gets the reserve.

By Bus: Distance from Kathmandu is 446km. It takes around 9 hours drive. You can easily find the bus from different part of Kathmandu valley. New Bus park, koteshwor, kalanki, Chabhil etc are the major place. You can choose either bus or hiace to travel. Generally, bus leave at evening and morning where as hiace leave at morning only. Hiace is a bit expensive then bus .

Where to stay?

You can find different hotels around the Reserve.