Kosi Tapu Wildlife Reserve

Kosi Tapu and the Kosi Barrage in east Nepal provide one of the best places in Nepal to view migratory water fowl, waders and shore birds during the winter months. Many species not recorded elsewhere in the region have been seen here. Thousands of birds congregate here in January and February before they migrate north when the warm weather begins. Kosi Tapu Tented Camp situated on the fringe of the reserve provides the only accommodation to date. Well qualified nature guides take the guests out on walks, jeep drives and boat rides to look for birds and the wild buffalo found only here in Nepal. It is possible to combine this tour with Sun Kosi Raft Trip or with treks in the eastern hills or with Darjeeling/Sikkim extension.



Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the flood plains of the Sapta-Koshi River in eastern Nepal and is home to the last surviving population or wild buffalo or arna. With many bird species and hog and spotted deer and blue bull the park provides the keen nature lover a great opportunity to spot some of the sub-continents rarest wildlife and birds.

Relatively small at just 175 sq km the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976. With rapid and complete inundation to depths ranging from 10cm to 300 cm during the monsoon the reserve is a prime habitat for some more specialised animals.

Attractions in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve The vegetation is mainly tall khar-pater grassland with a few patches of khair-sisso, scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest and it is this environment that a population of around 100 arna or wild buffalo flourish.

Birdlife is found in profusion with bird watchers amply rewarded for their journey: 20 species of ducks, 2 species of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons and the endangered swamp partridges and Bengal florican can all be found. Other notables include 11 species of owl, 5 species of kingfisher, woodpeckers and many more, indeed 421 species are recorded in the park.