KTM Car Service
Best Time to Visit Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park, home to rhinos, elephants, and Bengal tigers, can be visited year-round — but the season you choose changes what you'll see and how comfortable the trip will be.
October to March – Peak Season
This is generally considered the best window for a Chitwan safari. Skies are clear, daytime temperatures are mild, and grass in the park is shorter after the monsoon, making wildlife easier to spot. This is also the busiest and most popular time to visit, so booking your car and lodge in advance is worth doing.
April to May – Hot Season
Temperatures rise noticeably in the Terai lowlands during these months. On the upside, animals tend to gather closer to rivers and waterholes to cope with the heat, which can make sightings more concentrated if you don't mind warmer daytime conditions.
June to September – Monsoon
Heavy monsoon rains affect road conditions and can make jungle safaris more difficult or, at times, temporarily unavailable depending on park conditions in a given year — it's worth checking current conditions before planning a monsoon-season trip. The landscape is at its most lush and green during this period, but it's generally the least predictable time to visit for wildlife viewing.
Getting to Chitwan
However you time your trip, the road from Kathmandu to Chitwan is roughly 150 km and takes about 5–6 hours by private car. See our Kathmandu to Chitwan car service page for full route details.