Shuklaphanta National Park reopens jungle safari for tourists

Kanchanpur: Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur has reopened its jungle safari for tourists from Monday. The park administration had temporarily closed the safari last Ashar due to road damage caused by heavy rains.

Purushottam Wagle, the park's information officer, stated that repairs to the road and bridge at Briga delayed the reopening. “Repair work is still underway. Safari is currently available only on specified routes,” he said. At present, two routes have been opened: tourists can travel from Singhpur via Majhagaun, Bathaniya Tal, Baba Tal, Dudhiya Camp, Rani Tal, and return via the same route; and from Majhagaun, Paliyaphanta, Hattisar Chowk to Barkola Post and back.

In previous years, the park safari had opened from Asoj 1, but this year’s opening was delayed due to rain-related damage to tourist paths inside the park.

Shuklaphanta National Park, covering 305 square kilometers, is renowned for its bison population of over 2,323 individuals. The park also hosts a rich diversity of wildlife and rare plants, including 56 species of reptiles, 15 amphibians, 88 fish species, 111 butterfly species, 461 bird species, and 56 mammal species. Rare birds such as storks and ibises are found here, along with wildlife including leopards, one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, black rhinoceros, nilgai, chital, hispid hare, and badel. The park’s lakes and rivers also provide habitats for various bird species, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.