A Guide to Nepal's National Parks and Wildlife Reserves

Nepal is a biodiversity hotspot and is home to several national parks and wildlife reserves spread throughout the country.

1. Chitwan National Park: Central Terai region, 932 sq km. Over 700 species including one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant. Jungle safaris, bird watching, elephant rides.

2. Bardia National Park: Western Nepal, 968 sq km. Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Gangetic dolphin. Jungle safaris, rafting, bird watching.

3. Sagarmatha National Park: Eastern Nepal, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Everest (1,148 sq km). Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu. Trekking tours.

4. Langtang National Park: Central Himalayan region, 1,710 sq km. Snow leopard, red panda, musk deer. Trekking through forests, glaciers, snow-capped peaks.

5. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: Eastern Nepal, 175 sq km wetland. Migratory birds including endangered Bengal florican. Bird watching, nature walks, river safaris.

6. Makalu Barun National Park: Eastern Himalayan region, 1,500 sq km. Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, red panda. Glaciers, forests, alpine meadows.

7. Annapurna Conservation Area: Central Himalayan region, 7,629 sq km. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre peaks. Snow leopard, Himalayan tahr. Trekking tours.