Earlier known as the Royal Hunting Reserve, the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve was gazetted in as the wildlife reserve in 1976. The reserve is located in the far western Terai of Nepal. Predominant sal associated with asna, simal, karma, khair and sissoo are found along the riverside. Main grass species of the phantas are Imperate cylindrica and Saccharum heteropogon, used extensively by the local people for thatching. The reserve is now home to Nepal’s last remaining herd of Swamp deer. The forests and marshy wetlands also offer a habitat for other species such as Blue bull, Barking deer, Hog deer, Wild boar, Leopard, Jackals, Langur, monkeys, and other endangered species like  Wild elephants and Bengal tigers, and a few rhinos transferred from the Chitwan National park. Among more than 350 species of birds found in the Reserve include sarus crane, swamp francolin, grass owl, warblers, flycatcher, and the endangered Bengal florican. The fishes & reptiles found in the lakes and rivers inside the Reserve include mahaseer, rohu, tenger, mugger crocodiles, cobra and python.

Apart from the forests and their wild inhabitants, other attractive landmarks inside the Reserve are the pleasant Majagaon village, Salgoudi Tal Lake, Rani Tal, Singpur Phanta Tharu village, and the Elephant Camp.

Recently the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) expressed its concern over the dramatic decline of at least 30 percent in the Bengal tiger population of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve in Nepal, once a refuge that boasted among the highest densities of the endangered species in the Eastern Himalayas. The recent survey of April 2008 showed a population of between 6-14 tigers, down from 20-50 tigers in 2005.

Suklaphanta Reserve Permit and Regulations:

Entry Fee:

For Foreign Nationals:        NRs. 500 per person per day
For SAARC Nationals:         NRs. 200 per person per day
For Nepal Citizens:               NRs. 20 per person per day

• A separate permission is required for filming inside the protected area.
• Purchasing of plant or wildlife products is illegal.
• All flora and fauna inside the Reserve are protected, and must not be disturbed.
• Walking/traveling inside the Reserve between sunset and sunrise in prohibited.
• Rubbish must be disposed of in designated areas, and non-biodegradable items like plastics and bottles must be carried out by the visitors.