Patihani, located in Bharatpur-13 of Chitwan, is gaining prominence as an enticing tourist spot in the district. With their latest tourist attraction, a jeep safari, Patihani is looking to cement its position.

The new attraction finally opened to the public on Friday after much effort from locals. Tourists will be able to observe rare animals like rhinoceros, deer, and birds in the jeep safari. The jeep facility will be available from Chitamai in Patihani to the Elephant Breeding Centre in Khorsar, a stretch of 10 kilometres. Jeep safari facility will be operating inside the Barandafar Preservation Area. Belsahar Buffer Zone Community Forestry User Group and Patihani Consumer Group (PCG) made joint efforts to commence jeep safari facility. Madhav Acharya, vice chairman of PCG said “We made efforts to begin jeep safari since a long time. Two years ago, we made a concentrated effort and now our plan has come to fruition with everyone’s support.”

As the jeep safari attraction kicks off in Patihani, locals and hotel entrepreneurs are expectant. Chief Preservation Officer of Chitwan National Park, Ram Chandra Kandel, cut the ribbons at the inauguration ceremony. Khem Bhatta, chairman of Patihani Tourism Development Comm-ittee, remarked, “Earlier this area felt like an undiscovered jewel. Now this jewel has been discovered.”

Eight wooden bridges were constructed inside the forest for conducting jeep safari. A total of three water bodies—Gaida, Shramik, and Belsahar lakes, are also confined in the forest. Visitors can sight Chitamai Temple during their safari trip. Bishnu Mahato, ward chairman of Bharatpur 22, said, “Jeep safari will prove to be a catalyst for tourism promotion. The trip span of tourists visiting this place could be extended by a day and a night.” He mentioned that Patihani is now a choice destination for tourism. 

Locals and community forest officials made a trip to Khorsar in their maiden jeep safari. Chairman of PCG Shankar Mahato said, “We have taken a new leap for tourism promotion. We want to maintain this activity of jeep safari as a brand.”

The development of the jeep safari was planned beforehand. Around six years ago, living arrangements were made for two hundred tourists during Patihani Tourism Promotion Fair. A representative of Buffer Zone Community Forest User Group Tek Nath Timilsina said, “We are continuously managing living arrangements for tourists since the last twelve years. Until now, a total of Rs5 million has been spent on this endeavour.”

According to him, domestic as well as international tourists will benefit from jeep safari. In the vicinity of Patihani area, more than half dozen hotels and resorts exist, including Narayani Safari Resort, Kasara Resort, Jungle Villa Resort, Into The Echo Resort, and Tiger Land. He mentioned that these hotels will also reap benefits from jeep safari.