Sauraha is a village in Chitwan District of Nepal situated close by the Rapti River and the Chitwan National Park. It is the eastern gateway to Chitwan National Park and jungle safaris for budget, mid-priced and 3-4 star tourists. Beginning literally as small and very quaint Tharu village of mud and daub huts and houses, with a half dozen mud and daub hotels, it has grown into a small quiet town full of western style hotels and resorts, restaurants, internet cafes, and gift shops.
Jungle / wildlife safaris by foot, jeep and elephant. You are for sure to see the rhinoceros. Also many types of deer, monkeys, and Bengal tiger. Bird watching in and around the jungle. Especially Bish hajar Taal (20,000 lakes) wetlands area approximately 10 kilometers north west from Sauraha.
A quickly growing but still small village that caters to the needs of the visitors to Chitwan National Park, the best known safari park in Nepal. It is located 160 kms by road from Kathmandu, 155 kms by road from Pokhara and 160 kms by road from the Indian border at Sunauli. The Chitwan National Park (R500 entrance fee) is home to Bengal tigers, rhinoceroses, bears, leopards, crocodiles and monkeys amongst others, and hundreds of species of birds and butterflies. The village of Sauraha is separated from the national park by the Rapti River, which is safe to swim in. During the dry season one can wander the sand dunes of the shrunken river. It is possible to walk for miles along the mud roads west, north and east of the village to other, rural Tharu villages.
What to do: Watch the sun set over the National Park / Go for a ride on an elephant / Bird watch on the oddly-named 20,000 lake / Stay overnight in the jungle spotting wild animals from the lookout tower / Watch a Tharu cultural show/Hire a bike and wander about Tharu villages / Swim in the river and watch the elephants being bathed / Drink cool beers at one of the "beach" bars / Go for a jungle safari on foot, by elephant or by jeep / Go for a canoe trip on the river.
What you may not like: Mosquitoes at certain times of the year (nets are provided in hotels/lodges) / The overzealous hotel touts at the bus park (simply board any jeep that will take you the 3 kms to the village. If you stay in the hotel the jeep goes to the ride is free. If you don't like the look of the lodge, hand the driver R30 for the ride and choose another place).
How long: You might really like the laid back atmosphere and stay longer than you had originally planned. The small village has a few restaurants a la Pokhara and Thamel, but local-style eateries as well. There are no asphalt roads here, just dirt/mud tracks and hardly any traffic. Life is tranquil here. You will want to spend at least one day in the national park, and a couple more days to walk/bike around about. Give yourself at least a minimum of three days.
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