Royal
Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve
This secluded 305 sq km park is located in the extreme southwest area
of Nepal, just south of Mahendranagar. Located in the park are tigers,
leopards, different species of deer (about 2,000), otters, mugger
and gharial crocodiles, and various species of birds (over 400 species).
The park is made up of grass plains, forest (mainly sal), the Bahini
River and a lake.
The large swamp deer travel in big herds and it is typical
to see two or three herds of them in the grass plains in the southern
section of the park.
It is not so inconvenient to visit this park if you are travel to
Nepal from India. If you can stay at Silent Safari it is
Information
To visit the park you need to rent a vehicle. Sukla Phanta, in the
southwest area of the park, it a large grassland area, where you are
guaranteed to see large amounts of swamp deer. There is a viewing
tower in the middle where you can view the deer with binoculars.
Swamp deer are known as barasingha, or twelve pointed. Now it is considered
to be an endangered species.
There are around 30 tigers in the park. The main tiger population
stays along the Chaundhar River north of Singpur.
Rani Tal (Queen’s Lake) is a great place to view birds including
eagles, cranes, cormorants and many others. There is a viewing tower
on the west shore of the lake. Deer can often be seen wading in the
lake, and crocodile may be seen.
Practical Park Information
Entry fee for the park is Rs 1000. An elephant ride is Rs 700. Vehicle
admission fee is Rs 100. The park is open 8 am to sunset.
The ranger’s office where the park entrance is located is 3km
from the airport, 5km southwest of Mahandranagar, and you can get
there by taking a rickshaw from Mahendranagar.
The best way to enter the park and view the wildlife is by jeep.
Where to Stay
The closest budget places are in Mahendranagar.
Silent Safari (099 21230; fax 22220; PO Box 1, Mahendranagar; Kathmandu:
520-523) is the only place to stay within the park. It is run by an
ex-army colonel, Hikmat Bsiht, who is very helpful and knowledgeable.
There are comfortable safari tents. The cost is $150 per person and
this includes meals, game safari, and guided walks. You can also visit
a Tharu village. It is open from October to June and it is highly
advised to book this place in advance.
Travel
Silent Safari takes guests from the airports at Mahendranagar or Dhangadhi
for $10.
