Chitwan: The jeep safari services operating inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) have been suspended starting today due to the onset of the monsoon season and the breeding period for wildlife and birds.
According to National News Agency Nepal, CNP closes the jungle safari annually during the monsoon season. The safari services are typically resumed around mid-September as the monsoon ends and festivals begin. However, if the monsoon season extends, the reopening of the safari is delayed correspondingly.
Avinash Thapamagar, the CNP Information Officer, stated that the safari will be reopened after necessary repairs to the roads damaged by rain during the monsoon. The monsoon season brings challenges such as floods, swollen rivers, fallen trees, and slippery, muddy roads, which hinder visibility of wild animals due to the growth of grass and shrubs.
While the jungle safari inside the park is halted, jeep safaris will continue in the community forest of the park’s buffer zone. Information Officer Thapamagar also noted that tourist activities like trekking inside the reserve and visits to the crocodile breeding centre will be maintained.
In total, thirty-two jeeps operate from the Sauraha area, ten from Kasara, seven from Meghauli, and five from Amaltari, providing jungle safari experiences to tourists.