Koshi Tappu wild life reserve has carved a place it self as a birdwatchers's paradise.During the Koshi Tappu Safari at dusk and dawn time you will see many varieties of birds and animals sitting along the river. The best place to watch the bird species is the Barrage, downstream of the river.The reserve spreads over saptari and Sunsari district in eastern south of Nepal defined by the eastern and western embankments of River Koshi.
The reserve has been recognized as wetland site from 1987.The vegetation of the reserve is mainly grassland with patches of scrub and deciduous reverine forest that makes Koshi tappu special is that birds seen here are not found other part of Nepal. The reserve has recorded around 439 species of bird variety.Some of which fly all the way from Siberia during winter.Thousands of birds converge in this area, especially during the months of January, February and March. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the best place to watch native and migratory birds in action.A wide variety of Ducks, herons, storks egrets, ibis are seen on the River bank. It has one of the few elephant stables of Asia. Other animals are found here are wild buffalo wild boar, hog deer, spotted deer, blue bell and jackal. Gharial Corcodile and Gangetic dolphin are other attractions.
The vegetation here is mainly of grassland, scrub and deciduous forests. the reserve is unique for its wild arna buffaloes. Other mammals are the hog deer, wild boar, spotted dear and blue bull.The endangered gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin are also recorded in the Koshi River.A wide range of faunal species inhabit the protected area. In its water courses and ponds, 200 species of fish have been recorded, most of which are resident. Two toad species, nine frog species, six lizard species, five snake species, 11 turtle species are recorded.
The vegetation of the reserve is mainly characterised by mixed deciduous riverine forest, grasslands and marshy vegetation. The coverage of grasslands is 68%, compared to only about 6% of forest, which is predominated by Sisso. Patches of Khair forest are more prevalent towards the northwestern part. The grasslands near the running water bodies are maintained by the annual flooding and grazing by wildlife.
The best time to visit Koshi Tappu is between October and March or April when many migratory and resident birds can be seen at the barrage and on the main river channel. Several Himalayan peaks including Makalu (8475 m) the worlds fifth highest mountain, can be seen during this period of cooler clear weather.
