Tracking tigers on foot with naturalists
We leave the lodge before sunrise and drive into the park to a stretch of forest where tracks, calls or recent sightings point to tiger activity. From there we walk, always with two experienced naturalists, keeping close together and speaking little. The guides stop at fresh pugmarks in the sand, scrapes and scent marks on tree trunks, and listen for the alarm calls of spotted deer, langurs and peacocks that often mark a tiger moving through.
Much of the day is spent waiting at a river bend or a high bank where tigers come to drink or cross, especially along the Geruwa and Karnali channels and in the Babai valley. You sit on a mat in the shade with binoculars, a packed lunch and plenty of water, and watch for movement. These hours have their own reward: wild elephants crossing the river, rhinos grazing, otters, crocodiles and a long list of birds. When a tiger does appear, it is usually at a distance, unhurried and unaware.
Tigers in Bardia have increased in recent years, and the dry months from March to May give the best chances, when grass is short and animals depend on fewer water sources. It is also hot, so we rest at midday and walk in the cool hours. Walking safaris follow park rules and a strict safety briefing. Wear neutral colours and soft shoes, and bring a hat. Sightings are never guaranteed, but over four days many of our guests see at least signs of tigers.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Is it safe to track tigers on foot in Bardia?
Walking safaris carry real risk, but with experienced naturalists who know animal behaviour, and with strict rules, incidents with guests are rare. Groups are small, guides choose open routes and watch points, and everyone follows a safety briefing on what to do if animals approach. Children under about 12 and people who cannot walk quietly for hours should choose jeep safaris instead.
What are the chances of seeing a tiger in Bardia?
Better than in most parks of Nepal, but never certain. Chances are highest from March to May, when grass is short, water is scarce and tigers come to the rivers. Four nights with full days of tracking and waiting improve the odds. Many guests see fresh signs even when the tiger itself stays hidden, and other wildlife fills the days.
How fit do we need to be for walking safaris?
You need to walk 2 to 4 hours on flat but sometimes uneven ground, wade shallow streams on occasion, and sit quietly for long spells in the heat. No special fitness is needed beyond that, but the heat from March to May can be tiring. Our naturalists adjust the pace and route, and the jeep is never far away.
Also in Bardia
More hours to plan around
