Wildlife · Koshi Tappu
Searching for arna, the wild buffalo
Go out with a reserve guide at dawn or dusk to find herds of arna, Nepal's last wild water buffalo, grazing the grasslands of Koshi Tappu, with hog deer, wild boar and grassland birds along the way.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
The arna is the reason Koshi Tappu exists. Wild water buffalo are larger and leaner than their domestic cousins, with huge, wide horns that sweep back in a crescent. Nepal's only population lives here, in the grasslands and marshes between the Koshi's channels. Their horns are among the largest of any living wild cattle.
Your guide leads you by jeep or on foot along the embankments and grassland edges in the first and last hours of light, when the buffalo leave cover to graze. Herds can be shy or bold. Bulls and mothers with calves may charge if approached, so keep a safe distance and follow your guide. Patience matters more than speed.
Along the way look for hog deer, wild boar, golden jackals and smooth-coated otters, and grassland birds such as the swamp francolin, whose loud calls carry across the reeds. Wear neutral colours, bring binoculars and plenty of water. Afternoon outings end at dusk, when herds are active. Your guide carries the permits.
Good for
Questions
What is an arna?
Arna is the Nepali name for the wild water buffalo, Bubalus arnee, an endangered species and the wild ancestor of domestic buffalo. In Nepal it survives only in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, which was established in 1976 largely to protect it.
How can I tell a wild water buffalo from a domestic one?
Wild buffalo are generally larger and leaner, with longer legs and much bigger horns that sweep wide and back. Domestic buffalo also graze in and around the reserve, and the two sometimes mix, which is a conservation concern. Your guide will help you tell them apart.
Are wild water buffalo dangerous?
They can be. Bulls and mothers with calves may charge if they feel threatened. Always keep a safe distance, stay with your guide, and never approach on foot for photographs. Viewing from a jeep or embankment is safest.
Also in Koshi Tappu
More ways to spend the day
Rivers and lakesBoat birding on the Koshi channels
Glide along the Koshi's channels with a local boatman and a bird guide, close to ducks, storks, herons and cormorants, …
NatureDawn walk on the Koshi embankment
Walk the raised embankments at the edge of the reserve as the sun rises over marsh and grass, listening for …
FoodKoshi Barrage and a riverside fish lunch
Visit the Koshi Barrage, built between 1958 and 1962 with 56 gates, watch birds on the water above it, then …