Chitwan National Park

🇳🇵 Nepal

🦏 Rhinoceros Roaming Chitwan's Wetlands
🌍 #7 Global · 4.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #1 in Asia #5 in Savanna & Grassland
Himalaya, Nepal 1262 spp. recorded

Chitwan National Park is a tropical savanna set in the low‑lying Terai region of southern Nepal, just below the Himalaya foothills. Rolling grasslands, dense riverine forest and the meandering Narayani River create a mosaic of habitats that differ sharply from the alpine parks of the north.

27.462° N   84.631° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Great Indian Rhinoceros ★
VU

Great Indian Rhinoceros

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rhinoceros unicornis

80–90% · Very likely
Tiger ★
EN Endemic

Tiger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Panthera tigris

30–40% · Possible
Gharial ★
CR

Gharial

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Gavialis gangeticus

70–80% · Very likely
Axis Deer ★
LC Endemic

Axis Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Axis axis

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mugger Crocodile
VU

Mugger Crocodile

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Crocodylus palustris

70–80% · Very likely
White-throated Kingfisher
LC

White-throated Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Halcyon smyrnensis

70–80% · Very likely
Pearl-necked Dove
LC Endemic

Pearl-necked Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia chinensis

70–80% · Very likely
Black Drongo
LC Endemic

Black Drongo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dicrurus macrocercus

70–80% · Very likely
Indian Pond Heron
LC

Indian Pond Heron

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ardeola grayii

60–70% · Likely
Large-billed Crow
LC

Large-billed Crow

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Corvus macrorhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Common Peafowl
LC

Common Peafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pavo cristatus

60–70% · Likely
Little Cormorant
LC

Little Cormorant

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Microcarbo niger

50–60% · Likely
Red-naped Ibis
LC

Red-naped Ibis

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pseudibis papillosa

50–60% · Likely
Red-wattled Lapwing
LC Endemic

Red-wattled Lapwing

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Vanellus indicus

50–60% · Likely
Rufous Treepie
LC

Rufous Treepie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dendrocitta vagabunda

50–60% · Likely
Rhesus Macaque
LC

Rhesus Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca mulatta

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Great Indian Rhinoceros ★
VU

Great Indian Rhinoceros

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rhinoceros unicornis

80–90% · Very likely
Tiger ★
EN Endemic

Tiger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Panthera tigris

30–40% · Possible
Axis Deer ★
LC Endemic

Axis Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Axis axis

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Rhesus Macaque
LC

Rhesus Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca mulatta

50–60% · Likely
Sambar
VU Endemic

Sambar

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rusa unicolor

50–60% · Likely
Wild Boar
LC Endemic

Wild Boar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sus scrofa

50–60% · Likely
Hog Deer
EN

Hog Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Axis porcinus

40–50% · Likely
Sloth Bear
VU Endemic

Sloth Bear

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Melursus ursinus

40–50% · Likely
Asian Elephant
EN Endemic

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

40–50% · Likely
Himalayan Langur
LC

Himalayan Langur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Semnopithecus schistaceus

40–50% · Likely
Indian Muntjac
LC

Indian Muntjac

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Muntiacus muntjak

30–40% · Possible
Asian Jackal
LC

Asian Jackal

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Canis aureus

20–30% · Possible
Gaur

Gaur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bos frontalis

20–30% · Possible
Indian Gray Mongoose

Indian Gray Mongoose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Herpestes edwardsi

20–30% · Possible
Northern Palm Squirrel
LC

Northern Palm Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Funambulus pennantii

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

White-throated Kingfisher
LC

White-throated Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Halcyon smyrnensis

70–80% · Very likely
Pearl-necked Dove
LC Endemic

Pearl-necked Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia chinensis

70–80% · Very likely
Black Drongo
LC Endemic

Black Drongo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dicrurus macrocercus

70–80% · Very likely
Indian Pond Heron
LC

Indian Pond Heron

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ardeola grayii

60–70% · Likely
Large-billed Crow
LC

Large-billed Crow

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Corvus macrorhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Common Peafowl
LC

Common Peafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pavo cristatus

60–70% · Likely
Little Cormorant
LC

Little Cormorant

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Microcarbo niger

50–60% · Likely
Red-naped Ibis
LC

Red-naped Ibis

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pseudibis papillosa

50–60% · Likely
Red-wattled Lapwing
LC Endemic

Red-wattled Lapwing

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Vanellus indicus

50–60% · Likely
Rufous Treepie
LC

Rufous Treepie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dendrocitta vagabunda

50–60% · Likely
Long-tailed Shrike
LC

Long-tailed Shrike

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Lanius schach

50–60% · Likely
Black-hooded Oriole
LC Endemic

Black-hooded Oriole

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Oriolus xanthornus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Gharial ★
CR

Gharial

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Gavialis gangeticus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mugger Crocodile
VU

Mugger Crocodile

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Crocodylus palustris

70–80% · Very likely
Bengal Monitor
NT

Bengal Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus bengalensis

20–30% · Possible
Burmese Python
VU

Burmese Python

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Python bivittatus

20–30% · Possible
Oriental Garden Lizard
LC

Oriental Garden Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calotes versicolor

20–30% · Possible
Indian Softshell Turtle
EN

Indian Softshell Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Nilssonia gangetica

20–30% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

10–20% · With luck
Chequered Keelback
LC

Chequered Keelback

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Fowlea piscator

10–20% · With luck
Dhaman
LC

Dhaman

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ptyas mucosa

10–20% · With luck
Indian Black Turtle
LC

Indian Black Turtle

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Melanochelys trijuga

Insufficient data
Trinket Snake
LC

Trinket Snake

Reptile

Coelognathus helena

Insufficient data
Indian Cobra
LC

Indian Cobra

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Naja naja

Insufficient data
Northern House Gecko
LC

Northern House Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Hemidactylus flaviviridis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Common Indian Toad
LC

Common Indian Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Duttaphrynus melanostictus

10–20% · With luck
Indus Valley Bullfrog
LC

Indus Valley Bullfrog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus

Insufficient data
Western Burrowing Frog
LC

Western Burrowing Frog

Amphibian

Sphaerotheca maskeyi

Insufficient data
🐸 No photo available
LC

Orissa Frog

Amphibian

Fejervarya orissaensis

Insufficient data
Chunam Tree Frog
LC

Chunam Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Polypedates maculatus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Sloth Bear Foraging

FebMarApr

During the drier cooler months leading into spring, sloth bears are frequently seen scouring the forest floor for termites and fallen fruits.

Sloth Bear
VU Endemic

Sloth Bear

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Melursus ursinus

40–50% · Likely
🦎

Riverine Marsh Crocodile Basking

Feb

As winter transitions to spring, mugger crocodiles and gharials regularly haul out onto sandy riverbanks to absorb solar heat.

Mugger Crocodile
VU

Mugger Crocodile

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Crocodylus palustris

70–80% · Very likely
🐦

Monsoon Bird Breeding Season

Jul

The arrival of the monsoon brings lush vegetation and insect abundance, triggering peak breeding plumage and vocalizations among resident avian species.

Black Drongo
LC Endemic

Black Drongo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dicrurus macrocercus

70–80% · Very likely
Pearl-necked Dove
LC Endemic

Pearl-necked Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia chinensis

70–80% · Very likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Great Indian Rhinoceros
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
Tiger
40–50
40–50
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
10–20
50–60
40–50
5–10
20–30
40–50
Gharial
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Axis Deer
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
Mugger Crocodile
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
30–40
50–60
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
White-throated Kingfisher
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Pearl-necked Dove
50–60
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Black Drongo
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
Indian Pond Heron
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
Large-billed Crow
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
Common Peafowl
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
Little Cormorant
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
20–30
50–60
50–60
60–70
Red-naped Ibis
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Red-wattled Lapwing
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
Rufous Treepie
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
Rhesus Macaque
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
30–40
60–70
50–60
Animal Events
🦌 Sloth Bear Foraging
🐦 Monsoon Bird Breeding Season
🦎 Riverine Marsh Crocodile Basking

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🦏 Rhinoceros Roaming Chitwan's Wetlands

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
945
🐒 Mammals
173
🦎 Reptiles
107
🐸 Amphibians
37
1262 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
78 Threatened 7 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
70%
📊
Coverage (223 species at ≥5% of 1262 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
18%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 mammal, 2 reptile)
46% Global avg
67%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
182
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
28
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
47

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Chitwan National Park?

The most likely sightings are Great Indian Rhinoceros (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Axis Deer (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Gharial (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Mugger Crocodile (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), White-throated Kingfisher (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1262 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Chitwan National Park for wildlife?

November has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Great Indian Rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park?

Yes — about 88% of wildlife watchers report a Great Indian Rhinoceros sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 259 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Tiger in Chitwan National Park?

Yes — about 37% of wildlife watchers report a Tiger sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 28 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Gharial in Chitwan National Park?

Yes — about 77% of wildlife watchers report a Gharial sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 146 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Axis Deer in Chitwan National Park?

Yes — about 79% of wildlife watchers report a Axis Deer sighting in Chitwan National Park, based on 162 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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