Chitwan · Safety

Is a jungle safari in Chitwan safe?

By Base Camp Tours, licensed Nepal travel agency (Tourism License 3121/080) · Updated · 1 min read

The short answer

Yes, when you go with licensed guides and follow their instructions. Walks and jeeps are led by trained naturalists, and the golden rule is never to wander off or approach wildlife.

Key facts

Always
Go with a guide
Wear
Neutral colours
Noise
Keep it down
Rules
Follow park staff

How it works

  1. Always walk with two guidesPark rules require guides for jungle walks. They carry sticks and know animal behaviour.
  2. Stay in line and stay quietWear dull clothes, avoid perfume and follow the guide's hand signals.
  3. If you meet a rhino or sloth bearDo exactly what the guide says. Usually this means retreating slowly or climbing a tree.

The rules that protect you

Never leave the group or walk alone in the park. Follow your guide's instructions about distance, speed and silence. If you meet a rhino or other large animal on foot, guides know how to respond, and it is not the time to take photos. Keep to marked areas and respect park staff.

Use insect repellent in the evening and sleep under a net where provided, as mosquitoes are a nuisance in the Terai.

Questions to ask your lodge

Ask how guides are trained, what the group size is, and what the plan is if someone feels unwell. Reliable lodges answer clearly. Ask about the nearest medical help and check that your insurance covers the activities you plan.

Insider tip

Silence makes the safari better as well as safer. Whisper and watch.

Avoid this

Do not step out of the vehicle or the line on your own, however tempting a photo looks.

Related questions

Are there risks from tigers?

Very rarely, and almost always when people ignore instructions.

Should I take a camera?

Yes, but never lean out of a jeep or step forward for a photo.

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  • Licensed agency, Tourism License 3121/080
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