Bardiya National Park recorded 3,031 foreign visitors, excluding those from SAARC countries, from mid-July to the end of December last year, according to officials.

Tourists were from countries including the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and France.

During the same period, 449 visitors arrived from SAARC nations, while 7,096 domestic tourists also explored the park, said Sarojmani Paudel, senior conservation officer at the park.

The park remains popular for easy tiger sightings. The 2022 census recorded 125 tigers, and a new count started on December 24, 2025, with numbers expected to rise this year.

Tourism businesses, however, reported low turnout during the New Year, unlike previous years. Some hotels had bookings, including those of domestic and a few foreign tourists, who also enjoyed programmes showcasing Tharu culture, said tourism operator Krishna Prasad Bhattarai.

“Tourist arrivals are not like before,” he added. Bardiya spans 968 sq km, home to tigers, rhinos, elephants, and other wildlife, which remain key attractions. Tourism operator Ramji Babu Thapa cited economic slowdown as a factor for lower tourist enthusiasm this year.