Occupying an area of 175 square kilometers, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the smallest national park in the Terai plains of Nepal. It lies on the floodplains of the Sapta Koshi River in south-eastern Terai. The grassland area was gazetted in 1976 to preserve the dwindling populations of the wild buffalo and was declared a Ramsar site in 1987.

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve provides shelter to 485 bird species. Flocks of migratory birds visit the reserve during the winter and spring – from October to March, the perfect months for Birdwatching. Some migratory birds from Siberia and Tibet fly to the reserve during winter. The Koshi barrage and the Koshi River are the best places to spot them. There are records of rare and endangered bird species like Bengal Florican, Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, Red-necked Falcon, etc.  

But it’s not only birds that represent the reserve. The river is home to mugger crocodiles, turtles, fishes, and Gangetic Dolphin. Animals like Blue Bull, Spotted Dees, Wild Boars, and Hog Deer can be spotted roaming around the reserve.

Plan your trip to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Getting there is convenient – fly to Biratnagar and from the airport, use local transportation that gets you directly to the reserve. If you prefer a scenic route, you can take a bus from Kathmandu which could take up to 10 hours.

Taking the early morning flight on Buddha Air from Kathmandu should get you to Biratnagar in 35 minutes.

Arrival at the airport and departure to Koshi Tappu.