Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge

Bardia National Park is a world away from the chaotic hustle of Kathmandu. An area of extraordinary beauty and abundant wildlife, a visit to Karnali Lodge is a journey of off the beaten track adventure and an opportunity to reconnect with nature.

Karnali is an intimate lodge with ultra personal service and expert wildlife guiding. We’ve created a calming, soothing escape with a focus on our natural surroundings.

Our rooms are in keeping with local architecture, our on-site farm produces fresh organic produce and the property has a strong focus on environemental practices.

ACCOMODATION
With nine newly decorated Signature rooms each with an adjoining bathroom, Karnali Lodge is the epitome of comfort with a focus on privacy and calm.

Additionally we have 12 Traditional rooms, built using local materials and traditional building methods. All our rooms are designed to minimize their impact on the environment and are adorned in soft natural colours and fabrics and locally sourced furnishings.

THINGS TO DO AT KARNALI LODGE
Karnali Lodge is an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature and unwind in the peacefulness of a jungle environment. Accompanied by one of our expert naturalists, explore the park on foot, by jeep or head to the river put in point to experience the ultimate river safari.

Keep an eye out for an Asiatic elephant, the mighty tiger or a svelte leopard. Alternatively choose to unwind in a sunny spot at the Lodge garden, taking in nature as it moves around you. Curl up with a good book and cool drink, and idle the day away.

JEEP SAFARI – NATIONAL PARK
Bardia National Park is the largest national park in the terai region, covering an area of 968 sq.km. The park, situated in Nepal’s western terai, was established for the conservation of tigers and their prey species.

Step aboard one of our restored open-top Land Rovers for a jungle jeep safari unlike any in Nepal. With an experienced driver and expert naturalist to lead the way, explore the mystery and magic of the jungle from the comfort of your seat.

Go in search for the elusive Tiger and other rare animals as either a half day or full day activity. This activity is available throughout most of the year except during peak monsoon Mid-June to beginning of September.

ORGANIC FARM
Learn about the rotation of seasonal produce we grow just meters from your doorstep, which eventually ends up in front of you at dinner table, fresh from the garden. Whether you are simply curious or have a green thumb, our organic farm is worth wondering down to.

If the gardens grow is mature you might want to wander amongst the maze of plants and observe the organic farming techniques such as which herbs are planted with vegetables to act as a natural pesticide.

The organic farm is in the process of becoming certified and listed internationally as an operating organic farm. We communicate our gardening philosophy with
the local community to mentor and share ideas and understandings on the benefits of what we are implementing.

RIVER SAFARI AND JEEP SAFARI COMBINATION
Combine a half day jeep safari by floating down the Karnali River in search for Nepal’s aquatic wildlife – a truly relaxing experience.Cruising on the wide expanse of the river, pockets of rapids propel the boats along, as gentle waves lap at the sides.

Sitting on a raft, keep your eyes peeled for a variety of birdlife and wildlife. Top of the list are the endangered fish-eating Gharial crocodile and its more sinister relative, the Marsh-Mugger. This activity is dependent on water levels.

SUNDOWNERS
Enjoy a cold drink in a scheduled spot as the sun sets over a channel of the Karnali river. Watch as herds graze their livestock for the evening, fishermen return with their daily catch and deer emerge to graze at the grassy banks at dusk.

Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival
Upon arrival you will be met by a Tiger Tops representative , provided refresments and transferred to Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge , approximately a two – hour drive away.

Enroute get a feel for life in the Terai passing through towns , fields and forests. Close to the Lodge you will cross the Babai River, where Marsh Mugger Crocodiles may be warming in the midday sun .

Once at Karnali Lodge a hot Nepali lunch will be served . In the afternoon , headout on a dusk jeep safari to the National Park in search of elusive tigers and leopards . Tigers hunt in the cool of the day so dusk is a great time to catch a glimpse of the great cats patrolling their territories.

The safari will last for two and a half hours . You will be accompanied by an experienced naturalist who will provide in depth knowledge of the local fauna and flora of Bardia National Park.

The evening will be spent with cocktails around an outdoor fireplace before moving in to the GholGhar ( Nepalese dining room) for dinner. A good setting for late night chats , the stocked.

Day 2. River and jeep safari
Breakfast is served al fresco beneath our shady mango trees – freshfruit , yoghurt , eggs and bacon to get the day off to a perfect start. After breakfast, prepare for a river safar in the Karnali river. Cruising on the wide expanse of the river, pockets of rapids propel the boats along as gentle waves lap at th e sides.

Sitting inside a hand – carved boat , keep your eyes peeled for a variety of birdlife and wildlife . Top of the list is the endangered fish – eating Gharial crocodile and its more sinister relative , the Marsh – Mugger.

A Nepali – style lunch will be served back at the Lodge , after which you might want to head to the hammock with your book for relaxation . In the late afternoon , when the weather is cooler and the animals become active , meet with our naturalist for a jeep safari in the nationalpark.

Explore nature in the comfort and convenience of one of our classic vintag LandRoers . Donot hesitate to ask questions . Our naturalist are extremely knowledgeable on the animals and the history of Bardia National Park, and they are renowned for their expertise on wildlife throughout Nepal.

During the safari you will encounter wildlife such as different species deer, birds , monkeys , and the endangeredone – horned rhinocer os . Bardia National Park also offers good chancess of spotting the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger.

Day 3. Jungle Day
Wake up early and prepare for the day’s adentures with a hearty breakfast . Then strap on your walking boots , take a sturdy bamboo walking stick and prepare for a day of pure exploration and excitement!

There will be a premade lunch ready along with refreshments to keep you going through the day. A Land Rover will take you to the National Park Entrance and in to the very heart of the national park . Your day will be spent in the Land Rover and on foot scouting out the undergrowth for that elusive big cats.

Walking down a jungle path enclosed by the Saltrees , listen out for the sounds of orioles and hornbills. We will take you to one of the many “hides ”, where patience is key, as you settled own with a cup of tea and wait for any movement , maybe a rhino, maybe a jungle cat… maybe something else!

After the hide , jump back in the Lnad Rover and allow the guide to give you a tour of the parts of the jungle. See a varied range of not only diferent kinds of habitats but of wildlife also.

By now your finger will be worn out frm all of the clicking and photo taking but keep it strong – early evening around dusk is a great time for spotting leopard and other big cats. Keep an eye out during your trip the for clawmarks on trees left by tigers who were sharpening their claws and marking their territory.

Stop for a drink from the coolbox, soak up the last of the rays bursting their way through the canopy as you headback to the lodge. This is the last chance to scan for glimpse of a slothbear or wild boar. Back at the lodge, kickoff the walking boots, and put your feet up before dinner is served!

PIONEERING ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Since day one, Tiger Tops has been synonymous with conservation. Over the past 50 years our core ethos of responsible tourism has stood us in good stead. We are a family-run business and many of our staff have been with us all their working lives.

We promote conservation awareness at all of our properties and aim to have the least possible impact on the surrounding environment. We want to ensure our legacy is sustainable and thus we engage readily with local communities by providing jobs, skills training, and education and health facilities.

We consider ourselves to offer a luxury adventure experience. Not luxury in the ‘gold taps’ sense of the word; rather our aim is to transport our guests to remote and beautiful parts of this extraordinary country and allow them to experience the environment at its most natural.

We believe in good food and comfortable rooms, but above all we believe in great staff – its them who will bring the experience alive for you.

INITIATIVES
The Tiger Tops group of companies is the pioneer of environmentally responsible and sustainable tourism practices on the Indian sub-continent.

Since the early 1960´s Tiger Tops wildlife, trekking and adventure operations are in remote and often fragile protected areas of the terai, middle hills, and high Himalaya. These habitats are threatened by population and environmental pressures and in need of sensitive management.

As well as working with all stakeholders to protect and conserve the natural environment in which Tiger Tops is privileged to operate, the group also has close ties with the village people and communities who are considered both partners and vital resources in the businesses.

Tiger Tops continues to support a number of philanthropic initiatives both in the community and the environment.

TIGER TOPS AND THE INTERNATIONAL TRUST FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
Contribute to saving the wildlife and habitats across Asia. Support our partner funds & trusts in carrying out conservation projects.

The International Trust for Nature Conservation (ITNC) is a British registered charity founded in 1980 by the late A.V. Jim Edwards, founder of the Tiger Tops Group of Companies, and a group of likeminded people united in a determination to try and protect parts of the world where wildlife is threatened by human activities.

ITNC is a small, pro-active trust that mainly funds projects throughout the world, but with special focus on South Asia where conservation needs are great and communities are poor.

Tiger Tops is delighted to be partnering with ITNC on a number of successful initiatives including the Longterm Tiger Monitoring Project (estd. 1974) as well as initiating the country’s first Gharial breeding program.

Tiger Tops Long Term Tiger
Tiger Tops Long Term Tiger Monitoring Project, launched in 1974, is funded by ITNC, and FFTN, the Nepal Tiger Trust. Since 1995, two wildlife technicians have been camera trapping tigers. They have produced the most detailed data to date on tiger ecology, territorial dynamics, turnover, reproduction and tiger survival.

Research is the key to sound management of protected areas. Research, coupled with other efforts, will help develop policy for management of areas not directly covered by government protection.

Jayatyu Vulture Restaurant
Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge is closely associated with Jayatyu Vulture Restaurant, a joint venture of Bird Conservation Nepal & ITNC. The aim is to acquaint guests with the alarming plight of the vulture and encourage support in preserving and regenerating the population.

The vulture feeding center provides multi-faceted benefits: rescue and care for old cattle, supplies non-toxic food source to vultures and provides village income from home stays, guiding etc.

Tiger Tops Anti-Poaching Network
Tiger Tops Anti-Poaching efforts are possible through assistance from Fund for the Tiger (FFTT), a charitable NGO established in the US by a Tiger Tops guest. FFTT has continued to raise substantial funding since 1996 to support the anti-poaching work of DNPWC and the Dept.

Forests in Chitwan, Bardia and Suklaphanta areas. The Anti-poaching network is successful through the strong partnership between DNPWC, ITNC and Tiger Tops.

FFTT and Tiger Tops also support community based anti poaching activities. This grassroots programme provides monthly funding for 3 local youths in the Meghauly Buffer Zone to monitor tigers and illegal activity/poaching.

Assistance to Local Conservation Efforts
Tiger Tops offers assistance to local conservation efforts by providing the salaries of Buffer Zone guards in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks. At these sites Tiger Tops works in close association with officials and provides vehicles, boats, elephants and manpower for patrols and wildlife monitoring.

Tharu Lodge provides technical advice to the community-managed Buffer Zone, while guests at Karnali Lodge have donated a motorbike to the National Park. In the community, lodge naturalists conduct wildlife workshops for students, butterfly workshops and monitoring, and youth training programmes.

Additionally, bio-briquette training has been delivered to the Ajrar women’s group to help prevent deforestation and improve health. Every year Tiger Tops Lodges in Chitwan and Karnali also provide logistical support for the Asian Waterfowl Census January count.

MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT
Rural Nepal has some of the worst education outcomes in the world. Although progress has recently been made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal of primary education for all, barriers such as geography, infrastructure, socio-economic status and cultural norms, prevent this becoming a reality.

Tiger Tops is proud to support 1000s of children in surrounding communities through the provision of scholarships, textbooks, uniforms and staff training. We engage meaningfully with the community to ensure education programs are sustainable and achieving the desired results.

IMPROVING ELEPHANT WELFARE STANDARDS IN NEPAL
At Tiger Tops we are proud of being Nepal´s first and only company to offer responsible elephant experiences. Our philosophy is to provide the most natural life for our elephants with the highest welfare standards possible. Therefore, Tiger Tops Elephant Camp is managed and guided by respect for the elephants.

As such, in 2015 we decided to stop all elephant-back safaris due to the stress it caused our herd on encountering dangerous wildlife in an unnatural way. Instead we concentrated on providing our guests with a more interactive experience that imposed far less of a burden on our elephants.

In addition, we decided to drastically improve the stabling conditions by building large, spacious corrals over 18 acres of our property for our herd to roam, socialise and relax.

We aim to give our guests the most personal and meaningful experience with our elephants and allow them to connect with the elephants in a more profound but unobtrusive way, by spending time with them throughout the day getting to know their individual personalities, behaviour and habits.

We want you to return home with a deeper understanding of elephants; the elephants’ impact on the eco-system; the mutual dependency between the elephants, people, and the jungle; and your own positive impact by choosing to be responsible tourists.

We strongly believe in leading by example. By choosing to stay at Tiger Tops Elephant Camp when you visit Chitwan National Park, you are supporting a move towards better elephant management throughout Nepal.

LOW ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
All our Lodges and operations adhere to rigorous environmental policies that aim to mitigate adverse impacts and protect the environment. To reduce energy, waste and pollutants, Tiger Tops properties use solar power, vehicles are maintained to emission control standards.

Purchasing, employment and outsourcing are done as locally as possible. The construction of Lodges are from local materials, carried out by local craftsmen.

Their designs strive to preserve or incorporate indigenous motifs and products. In the jungle and among nature, strict safari guidelines and wildlife protocol are observed.

Tiger Tops respects, supports and preserves the culture, traditions of local tribes and engages villagers in partnerships for social and economic empowerment.

Tiger Tops recognises its strategic position in the tourism triangle, as the bridge between guests, communities and wildlife, can be a powerful positive force.

Website: www.tigertops.com

Rooms: 21

Price: from 226 EUR per night