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Koshi Tappu
Wildlife Reserve
 Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976, and covers an area of 175
sq.km. The reserve is named after the biggest river of Nepal, the Koshi.
The waterbody supports more than 100
species of fish including the human size catfish known as Gonch, famous
sporting fish the Mahasheer and delicious species the Jalkapoor. The large
reptiles inhabiting this reserve includes the longest snake species of the
sub continent the rare Indian Rock Python, globally threatened fish eating
Gharial Crocodile and number of lizards and turtle species. The reserve
and the adjacent area supports more than 450 bird species. During October
to April one could be able to spot more than 100 species in a single day
birding. Massive flocks of ducks numbering more than
50,000 chiefly of Northern Pintails,
Mallard and Northern Shovel er
is a common sight during fall and winter. Globally threatened species
occurring in this area includes Black-necked Stork, Greater Adujtant
Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Peregrine Falcon, Bengal Florican, Great
Stone Plover, Black-bellied Ten-4 Dusky Eagle Owl, Swamp Francolin, Marsh
Warbler etc. Koshi Tappu supports large ungulates such as Wild Water
Buffalo, Blue Bull Antelope, Hog Deer etc.
It is the last refuge for the globally
threatened Wild Water Buffalo (Arna in Nepali) in Nepal. Currently their
population is about one hundred only. These bovine possesses the longest
hom (about two meters in length) among any surviving mammals in the world
and are aggressive in nature. The small wetland carnivore includes the
rare Fishing Cat and Smooth-coated Otters. There are few rare Gangetic
Dolphins found in the Koshi River.Bengal and Lesser Florican, Indian
Courser, Hodgson's Bushchat can be found north of the Pink Tower. In the
barrage Little Pratincole, Indian Skimmer, waders, gulls, terns etc can be
seen.
One of the best times to visit this site
is in February and early March when the main wildfowl passage takes place.
In mid February a peak of over 50,000 ducks, mainly Northern Pintail have
been estimated. A total of 25 wildfowl species have been recorded
including regular sightings of Bar- headed Goose, Comb Duck, Cotton Pygmy
Goose, Falcated Duck, Red-
crested Pochard. Wader passage also takes
place during this period although it also extends into mid May. Pacific
Golden Plover, Temmincks Stint, Pintail Snipe, and Marsh Sandpiper occur
annually. In additions small numbers of gull and terns can be seen both
wintering and on passage. These include Great Black- headed and
Brown-headed Gulls, Gull-billed, Caspian and Whiskered Terms.It is also a
best site to watch for birds of prey includes Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fish
Eagle, White- tailed Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Short-toed Eagle,
Pallid and Pied Harriers, Greater-spotted, Steppe and Imperial Eagles,
Peregrine and Red-necked Falcon.
How to get there:
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Surface |
:Travel along the Mahendra East West Highway, it is approximately
450km (10 hours drive) from Kathmandu. |
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Air |
:It is about an hour flight distance from Kathmandu to Biratnagar.
The camp is about an hour scenic drive (50km) from Biratnagar
Airport. |
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Naval |
:One can reach our camp by rafting down on one of the tribunaries
of Koshi River. |
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Tentative Itinerary For Two Night Three Day Bird Watching &
Safari: |
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Day 1:
a.m. Arrival
and brief introduction of the facility and program.
1.00 p.m.- Lunch
2.00 p.m. - Bird walk in the marshland outside the reserve to see the storks, ibises, snipes, waterfowl, birds of
prey etc.
6:30 p.m - Slide show on the natural history of the reserve followed by
Nepali dinner.
Day 2:
6.30a.m. - Breakfast
7.30a.m. - Full day excursion on boat and four wheels drive with pack lunch
to see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters,
wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to Pink
Tower (full day)
6.30p.m. - Cultural dance followed by barbecue dinner.
Day 3:
a.m. Bird watching around the camp area or leisure.
8.00 a.m. - Breakfast
9.00 a.m. -
Departure
Tentative Itinerary For Three Night Four Day Bird Watching &
Safari:
Day 1:
a.m. Arrival and brief introduction of the facility and program.
1.00p.m. - Lunch
2.00p.m. - Bird walk in the marshland outside the reserve to see the storks,
ibises, snipes, waterfowl, birds of prey etc.
6.30p.m. - Slide show on the natural history of the reserve followed by
Nepali dinner.
Day 2:
6.30a.m. - Breakfast
7.30a.m. - Full day excursion on boat and four wheels drive with pack lunch
to see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters,
wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to Pink
Tower (full day)
6.30p.m. - Cultural dance followed by barbecue dinner.
Day 3:
6:30a.m. - Breakfast
7:30a.m. - Bird walk inside the reserve in the scrub forest, grasslands and
wetland habitat with pack lunch to see swamp partridge, black-necked
stork, buntings, bulbuls etc.
12.00 noon - Pack lunch
2.00 p.m.- Continue bird watching or optional elephant ride to watch Arna
the wild water buffalo, blue bull, hog deer, fishing eats etc.
6.30 p.m. - Stargazing
7.00 p.m. - Chinese Dinner
Day 4:
a.m. Bird watching around the camp area or leisure.
8.00 a.m. - Breakfast
9.00 a.m. - Departure.
Tentative Itinerary For Four Night Five Day Bird Watching &
Safari:
Day 1:
a.m. Arrival and brief introduction of the facility and program.
1.00p.m. - Lunch
2.00p.m. - Bird walk in the marshland outside the reserve to see the storks,
ibises, snipes, waterfowl, birds of prey etc.
6.30p.m. - Slide show on the natural history of the reserve followed by
Nepali dinner.
Day 2:
6.30a.m. - Breakfast
7.30a.m. - Full day excursion on boat and four wheels drive with pack lunch
to see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters,
wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to Pink
Tower (full day)
6.30p.m. - Cultural dance followed by barbecue dinner.
Day 3:
6:30a.m. - Breakfast
7:30a.m. - Bird walk inside the reserve in the scrub forest, grasslands and
wetland habitat with pack lunch to see swamp partridge, black-necked
stork, buntings, bulbuls etc.
12.00noon - Pack lunch
2.00 p.m. - Continue bird watching or optional elephant ride to watch Arna
the wild water buffalo, blue bull, hog deer, fishing eats etc.
6.30 p.m. - Stargazing
7.00 p.m. - Chinese Dinner
Day 4:
6.30a.m. - Breakfast
7.30a.m. - Proceed to deciduous forest near Chatara on four wheel drive to
see racquet tailed drongo golden backed woodpeckers, pied hornbills,
leaf birds, red-thighed falconet etc. with pack lunch (full day).
7:00 p.m - Continental dinner
Day 5:
a.m. Bird watching around the camp area or leisure.
8.00 a.m. - Breakfast
9.00 a.m. - Departure.
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