Kanchanpur
Shuklaphanta's grasslands — home to swamp deer and Bengal tiger
Kanchanpur is Nepal's far-western wildlife district, home to Shuklaphanta National Park, the country's largest open grassland along the Mahakali River.
Shuklaphanta shelters Nepal's largest population of swamp deer (barasingha) alongside Bengal tigers and wild elephants, with the Mahakali forming the district's entire border with India.
Suda Gadhi Fort, a hilltop ruin from the far-western kingdoms, adds a historical layer to a district otherwise known for grassland safari.
Curated Experiences
Our journeys in Nepal.
Popular Attractions
4 places
Attraction
Shuklaphanta Safari Circuit
Grassland safari among Nepal's densest wildlife
Attraction
Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve
Nepal's westernmost wildlife sanctuary for Bengal tigers
Attraction
Mahakali River
Sacred border river of Nepal's far west
Attraction
Suda Gadhi Fort
Ancient hilltop fortress of the far western kingdom
Culture
People & Culture
Kanchanpur is home to indigenous Rana Tharu communities, whose distinct dress, longhouses and festivals set them apart from Tharu groups further east in the Terai. Shuklaphanta's community-based buffer zone programmes have given local villages a direct role in conservation, part of a broader pattern across Nepal's protected areas of linking wildlife protection to community benefit.
Activities
Things to Do
Take a grassland safari through Shuklaphanta National Park
Spot swamp deer, Bengal tigers and wild elephants
Visit Suda Gadhi Fort, an ancient hilltop fortress
Explore the Mahakali River border area
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
October, November, February, March
Other Districts in Sudurpashchim Province
Stories from Kanchanpur
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