Jeep safaris, where visitors ride through the forest to observe wildlife, are one of the most popular tourist activities in Chitwan National Park. With the onset of the monsoon season, jeep safaris within the park are temporarily suspended every year. However, the adjoining buffer zone community forests continue to offer these safaris. The Kumroj Madhyavarti Community Forest, located near Sauraha in Chitwan, and particularly renowned for its jeep safaris is enlivened by the throng of visitors.

Despite the wet days of the rainy season, tourists from both Nepal and abroad continue to visit this community forest to have a look at the wildlife. The forest offers up to 60 jeep safari trips per day, with 30 trips in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. Once the monsoon season ends, and the main tourist season begins around Dashain and Tihar, the jeeps are usually fully booked. Even during the monsoon, about half the usual number of jeeps continue their service. Each jeep accommodates up to 11 passengers.

Ganesh Shrestha, the president of the community forest, notes that on Saturdays and other holidays, the jeep safaris operate with the same intensity as during the peak tourist season. Various species of deer, including herds of spotted deer, barking deer, and swamp deer, can be seen grazing peacefully. Peacocks can be spotted dancing, and numerous species of birds perch on tree branches.

Rhinos are also commonly seen grazing or resting in ponds. As the jeeps cross through the jungle and reach the banks of the Rapti River, tourists may catch a glimpse of the rare gharial crocodile basking on the sandbanks. After a short detour from the Rapti River, visitors can stop at the Darai Bote Lake to rest, enjoy tea and snacks, and purchase small wooden souvenirs of elephants and rhinos. The safari then returns to its starting point.

According to president Shrestha, Kumroj Community Forest, located on the southern banks of the Rapti River in Khairahani Municipality, is an ideal habitat for all types of animals found in Chitwan National Park. The forest is also home to the rare Bengal tiger.

A recent viral video showing a tiger attacking a baby rhino while its mother fiercely defended it was filmed in this very community forest.

Here are some photos of the safari captured by the Post’s Ramesh Kumar Paudel.