National park · Nepal
Shuklaphanta National Park
Enter Shuklaphanta for a day: pay the entry fee (check), walk the grassland in the cool morning, and visit the museum; avoid the hot midday in summer.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
305 km² (118 sq mi)118 sq mi (305 km²)
approximate
Established
2017
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Nepal ↗Get visa information only from the Department of Immigration; visa-service lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules differ by nationality.
- Nepal ↗At stupas walk clockwise; at temples and homes remove shoes where there is a rack or a raised floor; cover shoulders and knees.
- Nepal ↗Carry Nepalese rupees in small notes: many stalls, taxis and tea shops are cash-only, and shops rarely take foreign notes.
- Nepal ↗Strikes (bandh) and protests can close roads without notice: check the news and your hotel the night before any airport or highway day.
- Western Tarai ↗April to June is 35–40 °C and humid; sightseeing is best before 10:00 and after 16:00.
- Western Tarai ↗Distances look short on the map; the Mahendra Highway is two lanes with trucks and buses, so allow 40–50 km/h average.
- Western Tarai ↗Bardiya and Chitwan require a permit and a licensed guide for walks; arrange at the park gate or through your lodge.
At a glance
- Country
- Nepal
- Area
- 305 km² (118 sq mi)118 sq mi (305 km²)
- Park covers about 305 km² of grassland, forest and wetlands (official figure).
- Established
- 2017
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Shuklaphanta National Park in Nepal’s western Tarai protects open grasslands, sal forest and wetlands, hosting large herds of swamp deer, tigers, elephants, rhinos and over 350 bird species.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2017.
Size and age
305 km² (118 sq mi)118 sq mi (305 km²) · national park since 2017
Park covers about 305 km² of grassland, forest and wetlands (official figure).
Why go
- Open grasslands host large herds of swamp deer and many bird species.
- Wildlife includes Bengal tigers, elephants, rhinos and over 350 birds.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarMild, before heat peaks
- AprWarm, some rain
- MayRising heat
- JunHot, up to 45 °C (113 °F)Hot, up to 113 °F (45 °C)
- JulHot, monsoon start
- AugHot, monsoon
- SepCooling, less rain
- OctCool, dry
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swamp deer (large herds)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bengal tigerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephant, rhino (seasonal migrants)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (sarus crane, swamp francolin, etc.)Mar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dhangadhi Airport
Taxi 45 km (28 mi) to park entrance, about US$25 (NRs 3000).Taxi 28 mi (45 km) to park entrance, about US$25 (NRs 3000).
1.5–2 h
From Kathmandu
Overnight bus (≈20 h) to Mahendranagar, then 3 km (1.9 mi) taxi.Overnight bus (≈20 h) to Mahendranagar, then 1.9 mi (3 km) taxi.
≈20 h
Open the page →
From Mahendranagar bazaar
Motorcycle taxi or e‑tuk‑tuk, 3 km (1.9 mi) to gate.Motorcycle taxi or e‑tuk‑tuk, 1.9 mi (3 km) to gate.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Gate, small museum, information desk. | Open with entry fee. |
| Grassland sector | Open plains with deer herds, birdwatching points. | Check (guided or unguided access not confirmed). |
| Tharu village | Traditional mud‑home village 2 km (1.2 mi) from gate.Traditional mud‑home village 1.2 mi (2 km) from gate. | Guided walk recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the park; approximate for points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult, foreigner) | NPR 500 | person | check official fee |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Recommended for village walks and wildlife spotting.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Mahendranagar hotels or Shuklaphanta Tented Camp outside.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park authorities (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Mahendranagar hotels
Air‑conditioned rooms, restaurants, budget to mid‑range.
Near the park
Shuklaphanta Tented Camp
Tents with basic amenities just outside park boundary.
Safety
Heat medium
Wild animals low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by car or taxi; short walks on flat ground.
Visiting lightly
- Buy handicrafts directly from Tharu villagers.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry out litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Shuklaphanta National Park?
The entry fee for foreign adults is about NPR 500 per person (check official source).
What are the best hikes in Shuklaphanta National Park?
The short grassland walk to the swamp‑deer herd (≈2 km, easy) and the Tharu village walk (≈3 km, easy) are the most accessible.
When is the best time to visit Shuklaphanta National Park?
Cool, dry months from October to March offer comfortable temperatures and good wildlife viewing.
Can I camp inside Shuklaphanta?
No. Camping is prohibited inside the park; stay in Mahendranagar or the nearby tented camp.
Do I need a guide?
Guides are not mandatory for the main grassland walk but are recommended for village walks and wildlife spotting.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Shuklaphanta National Park
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