ABOUT US

Sonja and Budhi Bardia Homestay 2nd of May 2020
We would like to share our passion and knowledge about Bardia and West Nepal  with you and to give you a memorable experience! 

We are a Nepali/Dutch couple who met each other for the first time in March 2011, when Sonja was traveling in Nepal and Budhi was her jungle guide in Bardia National Park.  Since that time we have traveled many times together in Nepal and Europe. We started to build our own house in Nepal in 2013 and  we welcome visitors into our home since January 2014.

You can find stories about our life in Bardia on our  Bardia Blog. We all look forward to welcoming you into our home!

Pheri Bhetaula! (See you soon!)

Budhi Darlami
Budhi Darlami

Budhi was born in the village of Shivapur, Bardiya District, Nepal. He grew up in Bardia and knows everything about the park, conservation, the environment and local customs. He has been working in the tourism sector for more than 20 years and is an experienced jungle guide. As a member of the school board, he is also involved in the development of the local government school.

He loves to explore areas in West Nepal where tourists hardly come and to take you on a trekking to Khaptad- or Rara National Park. He is responsible for the daily operation of organizing activities and to maintain the network of suppliers. In the evening around the campfire he like to share his jungle and life stories.

Sonja Rusticus
Sonja Rusticus

Sonja was born in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. She worked for more than 20 years in management roles for large organizations in The Netherlands. She has traveled in many countries all around the world.

Since 2011 she has spent a lot of time in Nepal, learning about the impressive culture and beautiful nature. She lives now in Nepal and goes back to her homecountry every year for 6 weeks when the monsoon season in Nepal starts.  She can take you on a countryside walk or bicycle tour. Sonja is responsible for marketing and customer contact en gives you a lot of a personal advice how and where to travel to in Nepal.

Our family 
Family Darlami Bardia Homestay

We live together on the same ground with Budhi’s parents and his daughter and son. Budhi his family has been living in Bardia since 50 years, cultivating the land and living from farming. Now Budhi’s parents are retired but they do have their small jobs. Budhi’s mother takes care of the chickens, the pigs and makes herbs. His father takes care of the vegetable garden, makes baskets and small chairs.

Budhi’s sister and her family live nearby and they work hard on our fields to plant and harvest the rice and the wheat. Our brother in law is a very skilled carpenter. He build our home and is now a livestock trader. Family members visit our home every day.

Our staff
Jungle staff Bardia Homestay

We have two experienced and certified guides who are born and raised in Bardia. Manmohan has been working for us since 2015. He is our flexible and (according to our guests) the best committed jungle guide in Bardia. Balé is working for us since 2019 and is very eager to show you the birds and wildlife. You will also meet our driver Jayram. He knows all the jeep tracks in the jungle and will drive you around safely.

Ragobhir is our great cook and manager of the kitchen. He makes you happy with Nepalese and western food. Our guests find his food delicious. Ramoti is the a Tharu woman from a poor background. She makes sure everything is clean in your room and at the compound.