How to Reach Bardiya National Park: A Practical Guide for Every Type of Traveller

How to Reach Bardiya National Park: A Practical Guide for Every Type of Traveller

Bardiya National Park is in western Nepal, in the country's Terai region. The park is known for its forests, grasslands, rivers and wildlife, including the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, deer, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species. The Babai River also flows through the park.

For many travellers, the question is not whether to visit Bardiya, but how to get there.

There are several ways to reach the park, depending on where you are coming from, how much time you have and whether you prefer public transport or a private vehicle.

Where Is Bardiya National Park?

The main visitor area of Bardiya National Park is around Thakurdwara.

The park is generally accessed through Nepalgunj. Nepal Tourism Board lists Bardiya as approximately 95 km from Nepalgunj and describes the journey from Nepalgunj as roughly three hours by road, depending on the route and conditions.

Because Bardiya is in western Nepal, it can be reached from Kathmandu by road or by flying to Nepalgunj and continuing by road.

Option 1: Travel by Private Car

Travelling by private car gives you the freedom to stop along the way and travel according to your own schedule.

From Kathmandu, the journey is considerably longer than travelling by air, but it can be part of the experience for travellers who enjoy road trips.

If you are already in Nepalgunj, the road journey to the Bardiya and Thakurdwara area is much shorter.

For travellers who prefer not to arrange the final road journey themselves, Babai Outback Adventures can provide information about available private transportation options.

For current vehicle availability and prices, contact Babai Outback Adventures directly.

Option 2: Travel by Bus or Local Transport

Travelling by bus is another option, particularly for travellers who are already in Nepal or are travelling on a tighter budget.

You can travel towards Nepalgunj and then continue towards Bardiya using local transportation. Depending on where you start, the final part of the journey may involve a local bus, shared vehicle or other local transport.

This option can take longer and may require some changes, but it gives travellers a chance to experience travelling through western Nepal more locally.

If you are unfamiliar with the area, it is useful to ask your accommodation or local guide about the current route and departure points before travelling.

Option 3: Fly to Nepalgunj and Continue by Road

For travellers coming from Kathmandu or other parts of Nepal, flying to Nepalgunj can significantly reduce the amount of time spent on the road.

Nepal Tourism Board describes Nepalgunj as about one hour by air from Kathmandu, followed by a road journey to Bardiya.

Once you arrive at Nepalgunj Airport, you can continue towards Thakurdwara by road.

Babai Outback Adventures can also arrange or provide information about airport pickup options from Nepalgunj.

For current pickup availability and prices, contact Babai Outback Adventures directly.

Option 4: Travelling From Delhi, India

For travellers coming from Delhi, one possible overland route is through northern India towards the Rupaidiha–Nepalgunj border crossing.

Rupaidiha is on the Indian side of the Nepalgunj border, and Nepal Tourism Board lists the Rupaidiya/Jamuna crossing as the border route associated with Nepalgunj.

After completing the required border formalities, travellers can continue into Nepal and onward towards Bardiya.

Travellers considering a private vehicle from India should check the current requirements for taking an Indian-registered vehicle into Nepal before starting the journey. Border procedures, vehicle permissions and documentation can change, so it is better to confirm the current requirements before travelling.

For travellers who would rather arrange the Nepal side of the journey in advance, Babai Outback Adventures can provide information about pickup options from the Nepalgunj side.

For current Indian-border pickup arrangements, vehicle options and prices, contact Babai Outback Adventures directly.

Which Route Should You Choose?

There is no single way to reach Bardiya.

If you have limited time, flying to Nepalgunj and continuing by road is convenient.

If you enjoy road travel, travelling by car or bus allows you to see more of western Nepal along the way.

And if you are travelling from India, entering Nepal through the Rupaidiha–Nepalgunj border can make Bardiya accessible as part of a longer overland journey.

Whichever route you choose, remember that the journey is part of the experience. Bardiya is not a city-centre destination—it is a wildlife landscape, and reaching it means travelling into western Nepal's Terai.

Need Help Planning Your Journey?

For current transportation options, airport pickup, private vehicle arrangements and prices, contact Babai Outback Adventures before your trip.