Pre-Departure Briefing for a Chitwan Jeep Safari
A short Nepali dialogue with a Chitwan safari guide — earth-tone clothing, the 'roknus' stop signal, sunrise timing, and the canoe extension after the jeep ride.
The situation
Sauraha, 5:00 am. Your safari guide — a Tharu naturalist who has worked the park for fifteen years — is loading the jeep. You're wearing a bright red fleece. He looks at it and asks you to change. This is the briefing.
The dialogue
Guide
Sister, please change to brown or green clothes. Red disturbs the animals.
, । ।
Didi, kripayā khairo vā hariyo lugā lagāunuhos. Rātole janāwarharūlāī asar pārchha.
Tourist
Okay. How far is the tiger zone?
। ?
Ṭhīk chha. Bāgh kṣetra kati ṭāḍhā chha?
Guide
Two hours by jeep. If you see a rhino, say 'roknus' to me.
। '' ।
Jeep-le dui ghaṇṭā. Yadi tapā̱īle gaiḍā dekhnubhayo bhane malāī 'roknus' bhannuhos.
Tourist
Please stop — I want a photograph.
— ।
Roknus — malāī euṭā tasvīr khichnuparyo.
Guide
Good. In the tall grass, please speak quietly and stay seated.
। ।
Rāmro. Ṭhūlo jhārmā kripayā bistārai bolnuhos ra basirākhnuhos.
Tourist
After the jeep, can we go canoeing?
?
Jeep pachhi ke hāmī ḍuṅgā sawārī garna sakchhau̱?
Guide
Yes, sister. The canoe leaves at ten — good for gharial crocodiles.
, । — ।
Hunchha, didi. Ḍuṅgā das baje jānchha — ghariyāllāī herna rāmro.
Comprehension check
Three quick questions to test what you heard. No pressure, no streaks.
Cultural notes
Earth tones (brown, khaki, dark green) are mandatory on jeep safari. Red, bright orange, and pure white spook the wildlife and your guide will refuse to depart.
'Roknus' (stop) and 'bistari janus' (go slowly) are the two essential safari Nepali commands. Drivers and guides respond instantly to both.
Stay seated in the jeep at all times in tall grass — tigers and rhinos charge from very close range. Stand only at the guide's signal at viewing pull-offs.
Tharu safari guides often switch between Nepali and Tharu — if a phrase confuses you, ask 'Nepali-mā ke ho?' (what is it in Nepali?).
Phrases from this dialogue
Each phrase as a stand-alone reference — open for the full pronunciation and cultural context.
रोक्नुस् — मलाई एउटा तस्वीर खिच्नुपर्यो
Please stop — I want a photograph
Roknus — malāī euṭā tasvīr khichnuparyo
बाघ क्षेत्र कति टाढा छ?
How far is the tiger zone?
Bāgh kṣetra kati ṭāḍhā chha?
कृपया ठूलो झारमा बिस्तारै जानुहोस्
Please go slowly through the tall grass
Kripayā ṭhūlo jhārmā bistārai jānuhos
मलाई डुङ्गा सवारी गर्नुपर्यो
I would like to go canoeing
Malāī ḍuṅgā sawārī garnuparyo
Photo: Unsplash
हामीले गैंडा देख्यौं! दुई वटा गैंडा!
We saw a rhino! Two rhinos!
Hāmīle gaiḍā dekhyau̱! Dui waṭā gaiḍā!