When the government announced the establishment of Chitwan National Park in 1972, the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge had been operating in Meghauli for eight years. The declaration brought the area under official protection, but the iconic resort—located within the park boundaries—continued operating for decades. Once considered the gateway to jungle safaris in Meghauli, Tiger Tops remained open for 48 years before closing down in mid-July 2012 due to lease complications.

Now, Meghauli is re-emerging as a preferred destination for high-end tourists. Hospitality groups with decades of industry experience have begun investing in the area, hoping to revive the prestige once associated with Tiger Tops. For years, no other resort dared to compete near its location, while nearby Sauraha saw rapid growth, eventually becoming home to around 200 hotels and restaurants.

Since 2011, however, investor interest has shifted. Developers began purchasing private land on the park’s outskirts to establish new resorts. The goal: to offer tranquil, immersive jungle experiences in Meghauli, away from the crowds of Sauraha. Though Tiger Tops closed 13 years ago, its physical infrastructure—originally built in 1964—still stands, albeit in a state of disrepair.

Among the latest investors is the Siddhartha Hospitality Group, a prominent name in Nepal’s domestic tourism scene. On April 14, 2025 (1st Baisakh 2082 B.S.), the group acquired Sarang Wildlife Sanctuary and launched the Siddhartha Wildlife Retreat in Meghauli, reinforcing its growing presence in the country’s hospitality sector. According to the group’s CEO Krishna Prasad Neupane, the new resort is designed to cater to tourists seeking peace, wildlife encounters, and close-up views of the national park.

“Unlike the crowded atmosphere of Sauraha, Meghauli offers serenity, rich biodiversity, and stunning park vistas,” CEO Neupane said. “These qualities make it ideal for luxury travellers looking for exclusive jungle experience.”

New Resorts Bring Fresh Momentum to Meghauli

In addition to the recently launched Siddhartha Retreat by the Siddhartha Hospitality Group, Meghauli is now home to other high-end resorts such as Barahi Group’s Barahi Jungle Lodge and Chaudhary Group’s Meghauli Serai – A Taj Safari . These resorts have helped reinforce Meghauli’s image as a rising destination for luxury tourism.

Two more resorts are currently under construction. One is being developed by the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Group in partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), as part of a larger plan to open four new hotels and resorts in Meghauli. The other is being built by the Vaidhya Group.

Barahi Jungle Lodge has been in operation since 2013. Prior to its establishment, there were no major resorts in Meghauli following the closure of Tiger Tops. Since the land near the national park remained mostly uncultivated, Barahi Group acquired a barren plot in 2011 and began construction. The lodge opened two years later, filling a long-standing void in Meghauli’s hospitality sector.

Spread across 24 bighas, only 20 percent of the lodge’s land is developed with villas. The remaining 80 percent has been preserved with tree plantations to maintain a natural setting. “Deer and wild boars often wander into the lodge’s courtyard,” says Subhash Gurung, operations manager at Barahi Jungle Lodge. The resort features 41 rooms and employs around 100 people—98 percent of whom are local residents. The group has invested approximately Rs 500 million in the project.

According to Gurung, the jungle lodge business is seasonal, with peak months from October to December. Occupancy dips in January and again during the monsoon months. “We operate for about six to seven months a year, and our average annual occupancy is around 50 percent,” he added.

Three years after Barahi began operations, the Chaudhary Group launched the Meghauli Serai – A Taj Safari resort in 2016. With 29 rooms catering to both domestic and international tourists, the resort sees 60 to 70 percent occupancy during the peak season. According to a senior official at the resort, tourist numbers drop between July and September. Most guests are from the United States and India. A night’s stay in one of the villas at Barahi can cost up to USD 500.

Legacy of Tiger Tops

Tiger Tops, once South Asia’s first jungle safari resort, gave Meghauli its early identity as a high-end tourism hub. Starting with just four rooms in 1964, the resort steadily expanded to 28 rooms. It operated under a lease which, despite a short three-year extension after its expiry in 2009, was not renewed further—leading to its closure in 2012 due to political complexities.

Though the resort remains closed, a team of 12 caretakers continues to maintain its structures. Administrative Manager Ram Singh Gurung said they are still hopeful for its revival. “We’re here in the hope that the resort will one day reopen,” he said.

Gurung recounted that Tiger Tops’ initial investors had briefly operated in Sauraha, where they opened a temporary health post. “In the early days, cold beer was flown in from Kolkata and Singapore to serve the resort’s guests,” he recalled.

Gurung also noted the crucial role Tiger Tops played in regional development. “Meghauli Airport, built in 1961, was commercially active because of Tiger Tops,” he said. Today, the airstrip has fallen into disuse, with cattle roaming within the fenced area and the Nepali Army occasionally using it for parachute training.

Despite these changes, Gurung remains optimistic about Meghauli’s future. “This place has everything—rich wildlife, cultural heritage, and a peaceful natural setting. Our only hope is that it doesn’t become overcrowded like Sauraha. We want to preserve its quiet charm and jungle beauty.”