 Introduction
The camp is centrally located at the
reserve's eastern edge, a known site
good for birds and wildlife. It is
easily accessed from the east-west
highway which is only 6 km away. The
reserve headquarters is also a similar
distance from the camp. Close to several
waterholes, Koshi Camp is furnished with
11 large natural-colour luxury safari
tents with a spacious dining and a bar.
At one time, the camp can hold a maximum
of 22 guests only
For guests looking for 'extra
adventures' we organize several exciting
and memorable tours. For many who are
looking for peace and tranquility this
is an ideal place. On a clear day, you
may be lucky to see the world's 5th
highest mountain 'Makalu' from your tent
!
Three months have gone by since our last
Garuda was sent to you. Koshi Camp now
looks greener and fresher after the
monsoon. We have opened our camp from
since October 1st and have already
hosted several visitors.
The sight of male Pied Harriers flying
over the Koshi Camp every evening
reminds the onset of winter in the
lowlands of Nepal. Flocks of wintering
buntings are seen in the camp and
elsewhere. These often fly around, mixed
with resident Baya and varieties of
munia. Several Indian Flying Foxes (one
of the largest fruit bats of the world)
come every night to feed on fruiting
trees of the camp. Grasslands across the
mighty Koshi River are in white flowers
and the distant views of Mount Makalu
(world's fifth highest mountain peak) on
a clear morning is just awesome. We
would like to invite you all to share
this feeling and sight with us here at
Koshi Tappu !
The most exciting news from the camp
include continuous presence of globally
threatened Swamp Francolin. One family
with up to 5 individuals was seen in
front of the dining hall resting on a
grass tunnel. Dr Seb Buckton, Senior
Research Scientist at Wildfowl and
Wetland Trust was our opening guest for
this season who witnessed the Swamp
Francolin family and several other birds
at our camp premises. Dr Buckton was on
a wetland conservation mission supported
by a grant from the Darwin Initiative,
UK government. As an expert on wetland
ecology, Dr Buckton has praised our
effort to conserve the habitats.
Jungle Cat and a flock of medium sized
fruit bats are resident at Koshi Camp.
Although rich in bat fauna, not much is
known about their identity, status and
distribution in Nepal. Koshi Camp could
be an exciting centre also for those who
would like to study bats. Similarly,
butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies
are found in plenty at Koshi but again
not much is know especially about the
latter two.
A visit to the Barrage in October
revealed at least 3 Fresh Water
Dolphins. Koshi Barrage continues to be
an exciting bird watching destination
with scores of birds.
Conservation
and research
The problem of Mikania micrantha at
Koshi Tappu first brought to attention
via Koshi Camp newsletter is getting
international attention. Dr Carol
Ellison and Dr Sean Murphy from CABI
Bioscience are attending a one-day
workshop on this alien invasive weed in
Kathmandu, which will be hosted by Dr
Hem Sagar Baral on 25 November 2004. We
hope some positive outcome from this
workshop. Koshi Camp is committed to
contribute financially and technically
towards solving this problem.
On the research front, Koshi Camp staffs
seem to be carrying out some practical
initiatives. A short paper is expected
on the biological control of introduced
snail species at Koshi and Chitwan. This
paper will indicate how a natural
biological agent could be used for
control of the introduced snails.
 As you know 5 years ago when we started
the camp, we pledged every genuinely
interested birdwatchers, ornithologists,
naturalists, interested layman to
serious scientists to use and promote
our camp. We, who own and run Koshi Camp
are continuously giving our free time to
nature conservation and public awareness
activities. Koshi Camp because of its
contribution to Bird Conservation Nepal
was awarded a Corporate Sponsor Award
early this year during an Annual General
Meeting. Similarly Koshi Camp has
provided space for an Education Centre
adjacent to the camp where researchers
as well as local students gain knowledge
on wildlife and environment. Koshi Camp
is also supporting Himalayan Nature by
providing finance and logistical
support. In this way, we are
contributing significant portion of our
time and financial resources towards
nature conservation. For us to sustain
in these activities we will need your
support. Without your support all our
initiatives will cease to function. By
visiting us and using our facilities,
you are contributing to support
conservation in Nepal as well as people
who are working for conservation.
Birds to see
Rarities include Greater Adjutant Stork,
Red-necked Falcon, Indian Skimmer,
Indian Courser, Bengal and Lesser
Floricans, Hodgson's Bushchat, amongst
others.
Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant
Stork, Black-necked Stork, Falcated
Duck, Baer's Pochard, Comb Duck,
White-tailed Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Pied
Harrier, Caspian Tern, Black-bellied
Tern, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Swamp
Francolin, Striated Grassbird, Bristled
Grassbird.
Service &
Facilities
Nature Safari
Tours
Following a highly successful beginning
the Nature Safari Tours team is busy
preparing for the future. It's no
accident that such a young company is so
successful. Everyone here has worked
hard and believed throughout the growing
process that what Nature Safari Tours
offers is - absolutely the best. The
four founding members of the company
share more than 50 years experience in
wildlife research and guiding. Their
expertise is beyond question and their
commitment to wildlife conservation is
beyond doubt. Their vision for Nature
Safari Tours has been to create an
organization which continues to:-
Deliver a service of the highest
possible standard and work to
continuously improve what it offers.
Remain responsive to the needs of its
customers. Demonstrate its practice of
fair employment and equality of
treatment for all its staff. Work as
always in partnership and with respect
for the environment. It is our belief
that when you choose to come through
Nature Safari Tours for your vacation
you deserve to experience the best that
Nepal has to offer. That you should do
the things which interest you, enjoy the
exotic and beautiful surroundings and
wildlife. To have an adventure and to do
all of this in comfort and safety. It is
the role of our company to create this
and it has been our pleasure that we
have already delivered this service for
hundreds of our clients. Whether you
join us for an introductory tour or
something longer and tailor-made we will
be flexible to your needs and always
offer excellent value for money in the
holiday market.
Our key
activities
 Wildlife tours in Nepal which range from
introductory trips across a number of
sites, to specialized tours at one or
more main location. Nature Safari Tours
has access to all National Parks and
Reserves in Nepal which means that we
are able to offer a wide choice of
location and terrain. Trekking tours
which cater for a range of experience
levels and which can be located in a
number of areas with diverse geography -Langtang,
Everest, Annapurna, Kanchenjunga, Barun
Valley and Rara. Introduction to rafting
tours; these thrilling activity trips
are based on the Trisuli River.
Sightseeing tours - short tours with
specialist city guides who will share
with you their knowledge of architecture
and history. These visits can be to
Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Swayambhunath,
Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Changu
Narayan. In Dhulikhel and Hattiban we
are able to conduct tours for you to
view the stunning natural landscape. You
can watch the sun rise at Kakani and
Nagarkot. Day trips are also regularly
conducted in the beautiful surrounding
hills. For bird watching and botanising
- Phulchowki, Shivapuri and Nagarjun
provide easily accessible and stunning
venues.
Wildlife tours
- Scientific research and
expeditions
- Cultural experience
- Nepal home stay program
- Additional trips can be arranged
on request
- With excellent and comfortable
accommodation, flexible itineraries
and a wide range of exciting
activities the whole team here at
Nature Safari Tours promises to give
you the holiday experience of a
lifetime and hopes to see you soon.
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