Save for the lack of mountains and the odd rhino ambling around, Sauraha’s tourist strip will seem eerily reminiscent of Thamel or Lakeside if you’re arriving from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Sauraha is the de facto tourism capital of Chitwan National Park—a fan favorite for its rhinos, tigers, and crocs. And while it’s not actually in the park, Sauraha is where most tours and things to do originate. So, bring your binoculars, bug spray, and best camo clothing, and prepare for a wild time.
Sauraha is on the low-lying Terai, where the climate is similar to that of the North Indian plains. Temperatures are blisteringly hot March–October, and winter can be foggy but mild when the sun appears. Most people visit between November and February when the weather is most comfortable, but late January–early February is best for seeing the wildlife; this is when the long elephant grass is cut to expose the animals hiding within.
Sauraha is a small town with just one main street so it’s easy to get around on foot. Bicycles are handy for exploring the countryside and many hotels can lend them. Safari tours typically pick you up from your accommodation and take you into the national park. It’s not uncommon to see rhinos walking down the street in Sauraha, or scrabbling around in the bushes. If you come across a rhino when out walking, give it a wide berth.
Sauraha is Chitwan’s main tourism hub, so travelers who prefer a quieter, less crowded place to stay should check out accommodation providers in the surrounding countryside. Several high-end resorts, homestay villages, and other forms of accommodation are scattered around Barauli, Meghauli, and spots beside the Narayani and Rapti rivers. You won’t find nightclubs there but you might prefer the quieter vibe.
