Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge, Bardia National Park
Run by the same pioneering team as Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge in Chitwan National Park, Karnali Lodge is a top-end wildlife lodge set on the southern edge of Bardia National Park in remote, western Nepal. This is the ultimate Nepalese jungle retreat, allowing visitors the chance to explore the most undisturbed wilderness area in the Terai lowlands.
A certified eco-lodge, the Tiger Tops team have always championed sustainable tourism. Karnali is an intimate lodge with ultra-personal service and comprises of just 21 fan-cooled rooms which have been built in keeping with local architecture, blending local Tharu design with international levels of comfort. Contained in thatched buildings with soft natural interiors, each room is equipped with an adjoining shower and bathroom, with a veranda running along the front.
There is a central dining area, Ghol Ghar, with a soaring thatched roof which serves all meals from both western and Nepalese influences. The ingredients are sourced from the lodge’s on-site farm which produces fresh organic produce. And the fully stocked bar remains open until the last person goes to bed… so guests can really settle in for the night under the stars!
Guided by the most experienced naturalists in Bardia, guests can explore the region on a wide range of wildlife experiences from jungle walks and river safaris to bird watching and jeep safaris. There are four resident elephants who are unable to go into the park anymore, but guests can accompany them down to the river in the evening for bath time – an incredible experience!
Bardia National Park is a very unspoilt and remote park, as most tourists travel to Chitwan due to its closer proximity to Kathmandu and Pokhara, which means Karnali Lodge is excitingly isolated. A 45-minute flight from Kathmandu, followed by a two-hour drive to the lodge, Bardia is worth the extra effort in terms of travel, and guests are always rewarded with a quieter, more in depth wildlife experience. For keen birders or wildlife enthusiasts we highly recommend combining Karnali Lodge with Tharu Lodge for an unforgettable wildlife experience.
