Wildlife
Night Wildlife Spotting Bardia: After-Dark Safari Guide
Bardia National Park comes alive after sunset with wildlife that rarely appears in daylight. Nocturnal safaris reveal civets, fishing cats, porcupines, owls, and occasionally leopards or sloth bears.
Overview
The wildlife of Bardia National Park does not sleep when the safari vehicles return at dusk. In fact, some of the park's most interesting species are exclusively or primarily nocturnal -- and a legitimate night safari (conducted from lodge viewing platforms or designated park areas where permitted) reveals a completely different cast of characters from the daytime roster.
Night Species of Bardia
The small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) and the large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha) are common night visitors to lodge garden areas near the forest edge. The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) hunts along the Babai River and small streams -- a stocky, spotted cat with partially webbed feet specialised for catching fish in shallow water.
Indian porcupines are frequently seen on jeep tracks, their quills rattling audibly as they waddle away from headlights. Striped hyenas occasionally appear near the park boundary. Owls include the brown fish owl (often heard calling over rivers), Indian scops owl, collared scops owl, and the spectacular tawny fish owl.
Sloth bears are primarily nocturnal in Bardia and the best chance of a sighting is a night drive along the Babai Valley track -- though this requires specific arrangements with the park office and a licensed naturalist.
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Logistics
Full night drives inside the park require prior permission from the park warden's office in Thakurdwara. Lodge-organised evening walks within the buffer zone do not require permits. Bring a torch with red-filter capability to preserve night vision, and a headlamp for trail safety.
FAQ
Is it legal to drive inside Bardia at night?
Night drives inside the core zone require prior written permission from the park administration. Buffer zone evening walks from your lodge are generally permitted with a guide. Check current regulations at the park office.
What is the most commonly seen nocturnal mammal near Bardia lodges?
The small Indian civet is regularly seen near lodge compost areas and garden paths after dark. Spotted deer also become more active at dusk and are visible on the edges of clearings.
Are night safaris available in Chitwan as well?
Chitwan restricts night driving inside the park, but evening walks in the Baghmara Community Forest are permitted. The biodiversity authority at Sauraha can advise on current regulations.
