The Bardiya National Park is often associated with tigers and rhinos, but this compilation doesn’t flaunt a photo of either, and I’ll tell you why. No, I didn’t come across a rhino but when I did come across a tiger, I had to choose between capturing it on my lens or saving my life. That day, I had waited for nine whole hours to get the perfect shot of a tiger, and when I finally gave up, packed my bags and headed towards the resort, a tiger decided to surprise me from just few feet away. 

That sums Bardiya for me: The wildlife tests your patience but also surprises you when you are least expecting it. 

Bardiya lives up to its reputation of being a wonderful escape. In contrast to Kathmandu that’s currently all shades of grey, Bardiya National Park is all hues of beautiful green. It is a whole new world that’s natural and wild. Time has its own pace inside the park, and you can never really plan your day. Every day is a revelation. 

- Photos and Text: Bijaybar Pradhan