Day 29 Jungle Explorers 5 March 2012

After an early rise, we entered Chitwan National Park by canoe, built from the wood of one tree, in search for wildlife. After the crocodile of yesterday we expected to be surrounded by them, but did not see any. We did see a lot of birds, gorgeous kingfishers, one very rare Giant hornbill, monkeys and deer.





After disembarking we continued on a jungle walk, but only after instructions on how to deal with close encounters with wildlife (in case of a rhino, climb up a tree for at least six meters (!), a tiger, don’t move and stay as a group, and in case of a wild elephant, run for your life). (Un)fortunately, we had to do no such things, but were able to see an Indian rhino on the other side of the river, more crocodiles, ghahrials (crocodiles with spiky tails), more monkeys, deer and a family of Pumbas (wild boars).



The walk ended in an elephant breeding farm, where we could play with the cutest two month old baby elephant, and also see the a pregnant lady elephant and rare twin elephants, born two years ago.



After a long lunch break, that we killed time by playing Catan (thank you to good friends for our travel games, we have been using them a lot!). In the afternoon we went for an Elephant ride into the jungle. The two of us, together with another couple were crammed into a tiny uncomfortable box on top of an elephant.



Although there were tons of other tourists and elephants around we were able to see a lady Indian rhino and her baby, several deer, some monkeys and even a wild chicken. There was also one elephant that reminded us of Maggie the dog because it got hold of and dragged a huge branch (an enormous tree) around for the majority of the elephant march.








After another riverside sunset, we headed out to the little village where we had the best and last Nepalese dinner of the trip, lemon fish for Ana and non-vegetarian Dal Bath (mix of everything with lentils) for Martijn, absolutely delicious.