National park or conservation area
Chitwan National Park
Nepal's first national park, in the inner Terai lowlands: sal forest, tall grassland and rivers home to one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and gharials.
Chitwan & Teraiपर्सा राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज
Parsa National Park
Sal forest and Chure hills east of Chitwan, protecting elephants, tigers and gaur in a much quieter setting.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Oct-Apr
- Type
- National park or conservation area
- District
- Parsa, Madhesh
- Permit
- Entry fee
Higher seasonal exposure: flooding (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Parsa National Park covers sal forest, riverine grassland and the dry Chure hills in the central Terai. It adjoins Chitwan National Park on its western side, and together they form one of the most important blocks of protected forest in Nepal. The park extends across parts of Parsa, Bara, Makwanpur and Chitwan districts.
Compared with Chitwan, Parsa receives few visitors and has little tourist infrastructure, which is part of its appeal for those interested in wildlife and forest. Wildlife includes wild Asian elephants, gaur, sambar and spotted deer, sloth bears and leopards, and the tiger population has grown with the wider recovery of tigers in the Terai. The birdlife is rich, with hornbills and many forest species.
The East-West Highway and the road to Hetauda run along the edge of the park, and the headquarters is near the highway at Adhabhar. Visits are usually arranged as jeep drives or guided walks with park staff or local guides, and the eastern part of the Chure hills here is dry and steep, cut by seasonal streams.
History and culture
The area was protected as Parsa Wildlife Reserve in 1984, largely to conserve the habitat of wild elephants and gaur. It was later extended and upgraded to a national park in 2017.
Communities in the buffer zone, many of them Tharu, Madhesi and hill settlers, depend on the forest for fodder and firewood, and buffer zone programmes share part of park revenue with local villages. Human-wildlife conflict, especially with elephants, remains a concern for farmers living near the boundary.
The forest corridor between Parsa and Chitwan, and onward to protected areas across the border in India, is important for the movement of tigers and elephants in the wider Terai Arc landscape.
Things to do in Parsa National Park
Jeep drive
Arrange a jeep drive on park roads through sal forest and along stream beds, with a licensed guide.
Birdwatching
Walk forest edges and buffer zone areas early in the morning for hornbills and other forest birds.
Combine with Chitwan
Visit Parsa as a quieter extension to a stay in Chitwan.
Weather and the best time to visit Parsa National Park
Weather in Parsa National Park
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Apr
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November bring clear weather after the monsoon, though grass is still tall.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and good for walking; mornings are often foggy.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- February to April is often best for wildlife sightings as grass is cut and animals gather near water; April becomes hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is very wet, many tracks become impassable and visits are limited.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthousesHomestays
Few lodges near the park; most visitors stay in Birgunj, Simara or Hetauda, or arrange homestays in buffer zone villages.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The park headquarters lies near the highway between Hetauda and Birgunj; Simara airport is close by.
Nearest hub: Birgunj
- roadKathmandu to the park area via Hetauda by bus or private vehicle, then on to the headquarters near Adhabhar.
- flightKathmandu to Simara by scheduled flight, then a short drive to the park headquarters.
- jeepInside the park, travel is by jeep on forest tracks with a guide.
Permits and fees
Entry fee
An entry fee is charged by the park, collected at the headquarters; check current rates and any activity fees with the park office.
- National park entry: Pay at the park headquarters; rates differ for Nepali, SAARC and other foreign visitors.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Parsa National Park
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodinghigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain between June and September swells streams draining the Chure hills and makes forest tracks impassable.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is very hot in the Terai forest; plan activities for early morning and late afternoon.
Othermoderate in a typical yearAll year
Wild elephants, tigers, leopards and sloth bears live in and around the park; walk only with a licensed guide and follow park rules.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Book a guide in advance; services are limited compared with Chitwan.
- Wear neutral colours and carry water.
- Ask at the park office about current activities and routes.
Questions about Parsa National Park
Is Parsa National Park part of Chitwan?
No, it is a separate park, but it adjoins Chitwan National Park to the west and the two form one connected forest area.
What animals live in Parsa?
Wild elephants, gaur, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer and many forest birds.
Do I need a permit?
Yes, an entry fee is charged by the park; check rates at the headquarters.
When is the best time to visit?
October to April, with late winter and spring usually best for wildlife.
Where is the park headquarters?
Near the highway at Adhabhar, between Hetauda and Birgunj.
Nearby
Town or village · 85 m
Birgunj
Nepal's main trade gateway with India, a busy border city opposite Raxaul and a base for Parsa National Park.
Town or village · 100 m
Kalaiya
The district headquarters of Bara, a busy Terai market town and a base for Gadhimai Temple and Simraungadh.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 85 m
Gahawa Mai Temple
Birgunj's best-known goddess temple, crowded with worshippers during Dashain and other festivals.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Parsa National Park, Wikipedia, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Parsa District, Wikipedia