Temple, monastery or heritage site
Barahakshetra
A Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Vishnu's boar incarnation, where the Sapta Koshi river emerges from the hills onto the plains.
Chitwan & Teraiकोशी टप्पु वन्यजन्तु आरक्ष
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
A wetland reserve on the Sapta Koshi floodplain, home to Nepal's last wild water buffalo and known for its birdlife.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Nov-Mar
- Type
- National park or conservation area
- District
- Sunsari, Koshi
- Permit
- Entry fee
Higher seasonal exposure: flooding (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve protects a stretch of the Sapta Koshi floodplain in the eastern Terai, upstream of the Koshi Barrage near the Indian border. Its grasslands, marshes, river channels and islands spread across parts of Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur districts, in a flat landscape shaped each year by the river's floods. The reserve covers about 175 square km and is one of the most important wetlands in Nepal, listed under the Ramsar Convention.
The reserve is best known for two things. It shelters the last surviving population of wild water buffalo, or arna, in Nepal, and it is one of the finest birdwatching sites in the country, with several hundred species recorded. In winter large numbers of migratory ducks, geese and waders gather on the river and pools, joined by storks, herons, raptors and grassland birds. Other wildlife includes deer, wild boar, jackals and, in the river, the occasional Gangetic dolphin.
Visits are low-key compared with Chitwan or Bardiya. Travellers usually explore on foot with a guide along the embankments, by boat on the river channels or by jeep, and stay in simple lodges near the reserve's edge.
History and culture
Koshi Tappu was established as a wildlife reserve in 1976, mainly to protect the wild water buffalo and its floodplain habitat, and it was designated a Ramsar site in 1987. The Koshi Barrage, built downstream on the border with India, controls the river's flow and has shaped the wetlands that now make up the reserve. A buffer zone around the reserve involves local communities in its management.
The villages around the reserve are home mainly to Tharu, Musahar, Maithili-speaking and other Terai communities, along with hill migrants who settled the plains in recent decades. Many families depend on the river for fishing, grazing and farming, and the relationship between conservation and livelihoods has been a long-running issue. Floods are part of life here: the Koshi has changed course many times over the centuries, and its 2008 embankment breach upstream of the barrage displaced many people in the region.
Things to do in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Birdwatching
Walk the embankments at dawn with a local guide in winter, when migratory waterbirds are most numerous.
Boat trip
Take a boat on the river channels to look for waterbirds and, with luck, Gangetic dolphins.
Wild buffalo
Look for the wild water buffalo on the grasslands with a reserve guide.
Koshi Barrage
Visit the barrage downstream to see the scale of the river.
Weather and the best time to visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Weather in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Nov-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
Oct is outside the usual best months here.
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are drying out after the monsoon; migrant birds start arriving.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is the peak birding season, with cool, often foggy mornings.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is good for birds before migrants leave; April and May become very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is hot and wet; floods cover much of the reserve and access is difficult.
Where to stay
LodgesCampingHomestays
A few lodges, tented camps and community homestays near the reserve's edge; Itahari and Biratnagar have hotels.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar or drive along the East-West Highway, then continue to the reserve's edge near the highway between Itahari and the Koshi Barrage.
Nearest hub: Biratnagar
- flightKathmandu to Biratnagar, then continue by road via Itahari to the reserve area.
- roadBuses on the East-West Highway pass close to the reserve; get off near the reserve headquarters and continue by local transport.
Permits and fees
Entry fee
An entry fee is charged by the reserve; boat trips and guided activities may need separate arrangements.
- Reserve entry permit: Buy at the reserve office before entering; check the current fee with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodinghigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Sapta Koshi floods much of the reserve in the monsoon; trails and embankment tracks may be underwater.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
Pre-monsoon heat on the plains is intense; go out early and late and carry plenty of water.
Otherlow in a typical yearDec-Jan
Dense winter fog on the Terai can delay flights into Biratnagar and slow road travel.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Hire a reserve-licensed or experienced local bird guide; they know where species are being seen.
- Bring binoculars and dull-coloured clothing.
- Wild water buffalo and other animals can be dangerous; keep your distance.
- Use insect repellent, particularly near dusk.
Questions about Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
What is Koshi Tappu famous for?
Its wild water buffalo, the last population in Nepal, and its birdlife, with several hundred species recorded.
When is the best time for birdwatching at Koshi Tappu?
December to February, when migratory waterbirds are present in large numbers.
Do I need a permit?
Yes, an entry fee is charged; check the current amount with the reserve or DNPWC.
How do I get to Koshi Tappu?
Fly to Biratnagar or take a bus along the East-West Highway, then continue to the reserve area.
Nearby
Town or village · 310 m
Dharan
A lively foothill city where the plains meet the Mahabharat hills, with hilltop temples, Gurkha heritage and the road up to Bhedetar.
Town or village
Gaighat
The headquarters of Udayapur district, a growing bazaar in the inner Terai valley of the Triyuga river.
Town or village · 1,627 m
Ilam
A hill town in Nepal's far east, surrounded by tea gardens, with sunrise viewpoints towards Kanchenjunga and a sacred wetland lake.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Wikipedia, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Sunsari District, Wikipedia