Gharial & Mugger Crocodile

The gharial is one of the most distinctive crocodilians on earth. Its extraordinarily long, narrow snout — evolved for catching slippery fish in fast-moving water — makes it instantly recognisable. Adult males develop a bulbous growth at the tip of the snout called a ghara (after which the species is named), used for vocalisation and visual display during breeding.

Once widespread across the river systems of South Asia, the gharial declined catastrophically during the 20th century due to habitat loss, sand mining, fishing net entanglement, and hunting. Today it is critically endangered, with perhaps fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild globally.

The Rapti and Narayani rivers in Chitwan are among the gharial's most important surviving habitats. Nepal has run a successful gharial conservation breeding programme since the 1970s, releasing captive-bred animals into the Narayani River system. The breeding centre in Chitwan National Park is open to visitors as part of our 4-day package.

The mugger — also known as the marsh crocodile — is a more generalised crocodilian than the gharial. Its broad, rounded snout is adapted for a varied diet that includes fish, birds, small mammals, and carrion. Muggers are more robustly built and considerably more territorial.

In Chitwan, mugger crocodiles are commonly seen basking on sandy river banks during the day, particularly on warm mornings. They are most active in the early morning hours and can often be spotted from the lodge's riverside during boat trips.

While not aggressive toward humans when given space, mugger crocodiles are powerful predators that should be observed respectfully from a safe distance. Our boat guides are experienced in managing safe viewing distances.