Nepalsafari lodgeTaj

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari

Name: Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari
Address: Chitwan

A Taj Safaris lodge on the banks of the Rapti River in western Chitwan, facing the national park across the water. Rooms and villas draw on Tharu village architecture, the pool looks over the river and grassland, and naturalist-led jeep safaris, canoe trips and walks fill the days.

Photo: Vadim Tolbatov · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Meghauli Serai stands at the edge of Meghauli village in the western part of Chitwan, away from the busier Sauraha side of the park. The Rapti River runs directly in front of the lodge, and rhinos regularly graze on the far bank in view of the terrace and pool. Buildings use the mud-plastered walls, earthy colours and painted motifs of the Tharu, the people of the Terai, with modern comfort inside.

Days follow the rhythm of a safari: an early jeep drive into the park, breakfast back at the lodge, rest through the heat, and an afternoon canoe trip or drive. Naturalists accompany every activity and are good on birds as well as mammals. Evenings include Tharu cultural programmes and dinners by the river. The lodge is about 1–1.5 hours by road from Bharatpur airport, which is a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu.

Why we book it

Rhinos often visible across the Rapti from the lodge
Tharu-inspired architecture with Taj service
Quieter western Chitwan, away from Sauraha

Questions travellers ask

Good to know

How do you get to Meghauli Serai?

Fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur, about 25 minutes, and drive about 1–1.5 hours west to Meghauli. By road from Kathmandu the journey is roughly 5–6 hours, and from Pokhara about 4–5 hours. We usually fly from Kathmandu and drive onwards from Chitwan to Pokhara or Lumbini, which avoids backtracking on the Prithvi Highway.

Can you see rhinos from Meghauli Serai?

Often, yes. The lodge faces the national park across the Rapti River, and greater one-horned rhinos regularly graze on the grassland and wade in the river within sight of the terrace. Sightings are never guaranteed, but on a two- or three-night stay with jeep safaris and canoe trips most guests see several rhinos, along with deer, crocodiles and many birds.

Is Meghauli Serai open all year?

Many Chitwan lodges close or reduce activities in the heart of the monsoon, when the park restricts access and roads flood. Opening dates vary from year to year, so check current status before you travel. The best months for a stay are October to March, with February to April good for wildlife after the annual grass cutting.

Journeys

Routes that stay here

Nepal · 10 nights Chitwan and Bardia: Rhino and Tiger Country Kathmandu · Chitwan · Bardia · Kathmandu From₹5,40,000 pp

Nepal · 10 nights Nepal Family Holiday: Temples, Rhinos, Lakes Kathmandu · Chitwan · Pokhara · Kathmandu From₹4,90,000 pp

Nepal · 8 nights Himalaya, lakes and rhinos Kathmandu · Pokhara · Chitwan From₹3,80,000 pp

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