Chitwan National Park offers contrasting experiences depending on when you travel. During the summer monsoon season, you get sweeping views of verdant green, with grass growing up to two metres on the riverbanks and the Sal Forest, providing lush photo ops. But spring brings out the animals, as it’s mating season.

There are plenty of activities to choose from, but it’s best to start with a jeep tour, which covers a vast area in a short time. The real fun begins when you start trekking in the jungle. Armed with only binoculars and accompanied by two guides with walking sticks, I get the low down on how to behave when approached – or charged – by animals.

"When you encounter a bear, it’s important to make yourself appear larger and be as noisy as possible, to try to scare it away," Govinda says happily, while trekking through dense grass. "As for rhinos, when they charge at you, try to duck behind a large tree quickly as they’re not as mobile as humans. With tigers, it’s essential you lock eyes with them and slowly back away. Turn your back against them and you’re lunch. Luckily they’re mostly nocturnal, so they rarely attack during daytime; although if they do, they’ll be hiding in tall grass like this and pounce." Such comforting words.