Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge — Hotel in Kawasoti

We were so looking forward to our time at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge! From start to finish, they provided a magical experience, from when Sam picked us up from the Bharatpur airport, to when we sadly departed after our 3 days/2 nights. The lodge itself is stunning and remote, and you really feel like you are in a secluded and peaceful place. The staff were all lovely and attentive, and the food was absolutely outstanding. We loved feeling like were in a proper jungle safari lodge with set meal times, jungle safaris, and sundowners.

Of course, the highlight was the "walking with elephants and sundowner" which we did two evenings. It is no secret that in Asia, there is the practice of riding elephants, capturing them, etc. which we would never condone. Tiger Tops, however, has improved their beliefs and offers amazing lives for the elephants they currently have. The herd they have is made up of around 10 middle-aged females ages 40-65, who had already previously been domesticated (in India). They still have the herd that they now will care for so they can live out their lives comfortably. They each have reasonably large enclosures for sleeping/overnight (not chained up like other places) and during the day they go to the jungle with their handlers to feed. At the end of the day, a pair of elephants will walk with the tourists (namely to protect from the rhinos) which can bring in some money to help pay for their care. The handlers really understand and love their elephants, and even let two of them stay in the same enclosure because they are best friends and prefer to be together (so sweet!). During one sundowner, the handler convinced the elephant to go fully submerged into the river, so he could give her a proper scrub down and he really got into washing and scrubbing her head. The morning visit to elephant camp to make sandwiches is also such a treat.

The elephants were so friendly and gentle and always loved a cuddle and an elephant sandwich!

Our guide, Sam, was excellent, kind, and ever so smiley! One day, we saw a season record for him of 10 rhinos during one walk! The staff all seemed to work there for a long long time, which goes to show what a great place it is. The food was outstanding, with lovely vegetarian options as well, and the food and beverage staff were excellent.

I highly recommend Tiger Tops...

This charming lodgetakes you back to the golden age of exploration.

ACCOMMODATION Built in the traditional style of the Tharu people, these elongated buildings are home to the safari rooms reminiscent of those that were first constructed by tiger tops in the 1960s. Solely lit by lanterns, the rooms have an old-world ambience with a touch of luxury that is welcomed in the jungle, especially the fluffy bathrobes for those cold early morning starts.

AREAS The main long house is at the heart of the resort along with beautifully manicured gardens and a swimming pool thats a great way to cool off in the heat of the midday sun.

GASTRONOMY The chef cooked up the most delicious fare – hand-made bread and tender chicken with some Nepali delicacies. The food at tiger tops is simple & delicious, with different dining options at every sitting. Lunch is served al fresco, overlooking the garden that is frequented by butterflies and hundreds of bees that come to feast on the nectar of the local flora.

ACTIVITIES While Chitwan does not offer the same tiger spotting opportunities as Bardiya due to the dense jungle, it does offer spectacular viewing of Asian rhinos. On my elephant walking safari, I had the most breathtaking experiences with a mother rhino & her young calf. Our elephants protected us as we managed to get within 20m of these prehistoric-like creatures; it was a truly unforgettable experience. I also headed out into the park with my own guide for game drives & canoe trips; they both delivered spectacular wildlife interactions, especially the abundance of bird life that can be found along the river.

LOCATION Situated on the boundary of Chitwan national park, away from the heavily touristy areas of the park on to the east of the river this lodge is perfectly situated to...

4th visit in 16 years. Amazing again. TT Tharu is the most ecologically sound & ethically sourced Chitwan lodge. Taking inspiration and materials from local architectural styles it is a true safari lodge fitting in with the local environment, not a “seven star” luxury concrete hotel dumped on a National park. |Properly trained naturalist guides really know their stuff and impart it well to visitors. As ever the more you engage and ask the more you gain and learn the depth of their knowledge. Great food, alternating between Nepali dhal/bhat one night and continental fare another with delicious lunchtime salads and main courses. I have never had fear of the salad here as I do at some other lodges and have never been ill from food at the lodge. Rooms are temperature and architecturally cool. Cleaned daily, beds and mossie nets (in season) turned down in the evenings, fans rather than aircon in the warmer months and seriously warm comfy bed linen in the winters. A very well laid out bar and inside eating area in which you can be comfortably quiet and in your own or mix with other guests. Everything from staff to layout is child friendly. Ashik the general manager is a master of his art and on this visit we met Connie the guest relations officer who is superb in her role. |The elephant care at TigerTops Tharu is genuinely world leading and being able to compare this to Sri Lanka, Thailand and India gives it some credible comparison. While we were there a professional animal researcher focused on elephants was also there, this was her sixth straight year returning to TT Tharu to study the elephants health, care, conditions and development so we had really in depth knowledge shared by her as well as even more confidence in the ethical treatment of these...