Experience Nepal's wildlife in Taj Safaris

 

Taj Safaris comes up with its first jungle lodge outside India, and it is ready to impress every wildlife lover. Generally, when someone mentions Nepal, what is the first thing that comes to your mind as a traveller? Must be a landscape filled with pristine snow-clad mountains, yaks, sherpas and of course, Mount Everest. But there's more to this place than just that. Very few Indians have explored the country's wildlife -- for now, we are talking about the Chitwan National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Interesting, isn't it? A forest in the land of mountains, which is also a part of the elite list of heritage sites around the world. Chitwan National Park is known to have as many as 55 native bird species, including the Great Hornbill, Ruddy Shelduck and Pied Kingfisher, and is home to approximately 68 species of mammals. The majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, wild dogs and sloth bears are in abundance in this natural paradise, but the park's main attraction is the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros.

 Taj Safaris, a subsidiary of the Taj Group of Hotels, that offers unique wildlife accommodations to travellers in India, has come up with its first lodge in this national park by the name of Meghauli Serai Jungle Lodge. Perched in the middle of Chitwan's stunning landscape, including dense Sal groves, thick grasslands and meandering water bodies, this jungle lodge by Taj Safaris can prove to be a dream accommodation for any wildlife lover. Besides, being located at a prime position, just next to the Rapti River, the lodge offers unparalleled views of the forest from its 30 rooms and suites.

Out of the 30 accommodation options in Meghauli Serai, 13 are well-appointed rooms, while 16 of them are independent villas, and one Rapti Mahal presidential suite. Each of them ensures an unforgettable experience by offering the best of local traditions in a luxurious setting. Apart from that, there's a spa with signature treatments and an infinity swimming pool overlooking the tranquil flow of Rapti River.
As far as the property's design is concerned, Meghauli Serai has incorporated plenty of local hues -- from its Newari- and Tharu-inspired front doors and the use of natural earthy tones that reflect the landscape, to the locally-sourced ingredients used in the inventive cuisines.
Guest activities offered by this jungle lodge include jungle safaris on jeeps and elephant-backs, jungle walks, trip to the local Tharu village for a glimpse into the local traditional way life, canoeing on the Rapti River, trekking through the awe-inspiring Himalayan foothills.

Getting there
Meghauli is easily accessible from Kathmandu by road or by flight. It takes a short 20-minute flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur airport, followed by a 45-minute or 30 km drive to Meghauli Serai Jungle Lodge in Chitwan National Park.

An alternative is to take a private charter from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, to the Meghauli Airstrip in Chitwan. Helicopter charters are also available from Kathmandu to Meghauli Serai Jungle Lodge.