The Mighty Jungle

Trip Start Sep 14, 2009

Trip End Sep 13, 2010

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Where I stayed

Jungle View Resort

(Gorkha hotels)

Flag of Nepal Sauraha, Nepal
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

After a 2 day rafting trip on the River Seti, we arrived in Sauraha, near Chitwan National Park. The rafting took us down river quite peacefuly with rapids popping up every now and again. The first days rapids were very tame, but we had a good location for our camp and lots of other travellers to swap stories with so that was OK. We camped under a full moon on a beach next to the river and woke covered in sand to breakfast on the beach. The rafti was shorter on this day but the rapids were a bit more exciting. We ate lunch on another beach and made our way to our next destination, Sauraha.
We were taken by jeep to Sauraha from the main road and the taxi recommended a hotel, which we declined and made our way to the main strip where there were more accomodation options. On our way we passed elephants, cows, goats and chickens. We checked into a hotel and made our safari arrangements for the next day.

Chitwan National Park

At 07:00 the next day we were on a dugout canoe floting up the river looking at crocodiles and kingfishers among other things. We then got out of the boat and began our 'Jungle Walk'. For the first hour it was quite exciting, the guide made us think we were on the trail of rhinos and we saw their bath in the middle of the jungle along with their poo. At this point we saw no other people. We then took a break in a watchtower and were joined by half the tourist population of Sauraha. There was no chance of seeing anything with this lot in tow. We did see some deer running in the opposite direction, a load of monkeys and Amy had a leech up her trouser leg.
After lunch we jumped on the back of our elephant for the day and ventured into the wilderness once more. We were taken through high grass and saw some more deer. Then there was a big rush to head in a different direction. We, along with about 10 other tourist clad elephants, had a rhino surrounded. Amy and I thought it was good to see the rhino, but I don't think Johan was really enjoying himself.
After all that monkeying around we decided to rent bikes the next day and have a picnic at 20,000 Lake. We were warned to be careful on our way as we passed through jungle with big animals in. We cycled for about 2 hours, through villages, along main roads and through a bit of forest till we reached the lake. We saw no other people and Amy was 'petrified'

Chitwan National Park

. We went for a short walk but Amy couldn't take any more excitement so we went back to the lake and had lunch. We saw lots of birds and a few deer, but nothing life threatening.
We rode back, taking tea breaks along the way - seats were like razor blades. When speaking to a local guide, he asked if we had seen any bears or crocodiles, Amy nearly passed out. We did get to see a really big animal that night when a mouse flashed across the bedroom floor just before lights out. Again, Amy nearly passed out. The little bugger slipped under the door and we didn't see him again.

Sauraha was a good place to relax so we stayed an extra night before moving on.

Sayonara

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