July 29, 2025

Bhutan is more than just a cultural sanctuary—it’s a living laboratory of biodiversity. With over 70% forest cover and more than half its land designated as protected areas, Bhutan offers one of the world’s most ambitious and successful conservation stories. Its national parks aren’t just scenic—they’re wild, thriving ecosystems where endangered species like the Bengal tiger, red panda, snow leopard, and the national animal, takin, still roam.

A Network of Protected Paradise

Bhutan’s commitment to conservation is reflected in its five national parks and four wildlife sanctuaries, all part of an interconnected network called the Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex (BBCC). This vast system ensures unhindered wildlife movement through biological corridors, a visionary concept for sustainable ecology.

Jigme Dorji National Park

Located in northwestern Bhutan, this park is one of the most biodiverse in the Eastern Himalayas. It covers glacial valleys and alpine meadows, and is home to elusive snow leopards, blue sheep, and medicinal plants. Trekking routes like the Snowman Trek pass through this region.

Royal Manas National Park

Often called the “Crown Jewel of Bhutan’s conservation,” this UNESCO-recognized biosphere is located in southern Bhutan. It hosts subtropical forests and a rich array of fauna, including Bengal tigers, golden langurs, and elephants. It’s also linked to India’s Manas National Park, creating a transboundary conservation corridor.

Phrumsengla National Park

In central Bhutan, this park boasts dense forests, rhododendron blooms, and a haven for the endangered red panda. It’s popular with birdwatchers and botanists alike.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

Named after the fourth king, this park reflects Bhutan’s harmony between humans and nature. Villages still exist within the park boundary, practicing traditional lifestyles. You may encounter the takin, sambar deer, or Himalayan black bear.

Wangchuck Centennial National Park

The largest in Bhutan, this park forms the headwaters for Bhutan’s major rivers. Glacial lakes, alpine grasslands, and pastures support high-altitude wildlife including Tibetan wolves and marmots.

Wildlife Worth Watching

Whether you’re a wildlife photographer or just a quiet nature lover, Bhutan’s parks offer rare sightings:

  • Bengal Tigers at altitudes over 3,000 meters—a unique ecological behavior
  • Red Pandas in eastern parks, especially in temperate forests
  • Black-necked Cranes, wintering in Phobjikha Valley and parts of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
  • Takin, Bhutan’s goat-antelope-like national animal, found in alpine zones

Bhutan’s Model of Conservation

Unlike many parts of the world, conservation in Bhutan is not reactionary—it’s proactive and integrated into national policy. The country’s Constitution mandates 60% forest cover in perpetuity, and the parks are actively managed through community-based stewardship.

Tourism in Bhutan’s national parks is also low-impact and highly regulated, ensuring a sustainable balance between visitor experience and environmental integrity.

Explore Bhutan’s wildest places with Von Kathmandu’s guided nature and trekking itineraries. From national parks to sacred valleys, we help you travel mindfully while experiencing Bhutan’s extraordinary biodiversity firsthand.