Kund Park Overview
Kund Park sits at one of the most geographically striking locations in Pakistan, right at the point where the Indus River and the Kabul River merge together. The small town of Khair Abad Kund, which sits between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, gives the park its name, and the park itself occupies the land at this dramatic river confluence near Nowshera. When you stand inside the park, you can see the Kabul River flowing strongly on one side and the quieter, wider Indus moving on the other, both of them meeting just beyond the park boundary in a way that makes the location feel genuinely significant. Established in 2000 by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, working alongside the Bioresource Research Centre founded by Fakhar Abbas, Kund Park began as a very specific response to a very specific problem. Bear baiting, the practice of forcing bears to fight dogs for entertainment, had been widespread across Pakistan for generations. When the government banned bear baiting in 2001, the rescued bears had nowhere to go. Khanpur Dam is another top spot in KPK to visit with friends and family on vacation.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
| Official Name | Kund Park (also known as Kund Bear Park) |
| Location | Khair Abad Kund, Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Near Cities | Attock, Nowshera, Swabi, Peshawar |
| Established | 2000 |
| Founded By | World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and Bioresource Research Centre (BRC) |
| Key Feature | Confluence of the Indus River and Kabul River |
| Rivers | Confluence of Indus River and Kabul River |
| Animals | Asian black bears, Himalayan brown bears, leopards, cranes, deer, peacocks, parrots, pheasants |
| Activities | Boating, fishing, camel riding, water slides, swimming pool |
| Best Season | October to March |
| Viewable from | Grand Trunk Road (Attock to Peshawar via Nowshera) |
Kund Park History
From Bear Baiting Ban to Bear Sanctuary
The story of Kund Park begins not with tourism, but with cruelty and rescue. Bear baiting was a deeply embedded practice in the culture of rural Pakistan for generations, where bears with their teeth removed were forced to fight trained dogs in organised events attended by large crowds.
Kund Park Location and How to Get There

Where Exactly is Kund Park?
Kund Park sits in the small settlement of Khair Abad Kund, which sits precisely at the boundary between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The park is located near Nowshera in KPK, and close to Attock in Punjab, which is why it appears in searches for both Kund Park Attock and Kund Park Nowshera. Administratively, the park falls within the Nowshera District of KPK, though the Attock Bridge nearby marks the Punjab boundary just to the east.
Distances from Key Cities
| From | Distance and Time |
| Attock City | ~18 km — 25 to 30 minutes via GT Road |
| Nowshera | ~12 km — 20 minutes via GT Road |
| Swabi | ~30 km — 40 to 45 minutes |
| Peshawar | ~65 km — 1 to 1.5 hours via GT Road |
| Islamabad | ~90 km — 1.5 to 2 hours via M-1 then GT Road |
| Kamra | ~25 km — 30 to 35 minutes |
| Rawalpindi | ~80 km — 1.5 hours via M-1 |
| Mardan | ~50 km — 1 hour via Swabi Road |
How to Reach Kund Park from Attock
Coming from Attock, take the GT Road westward toward Nowshera and Peshawar. The road crosses the Attock Bridge over the Indus River, and after the bridge, the Kund Park area appears on the riverside. The park entrance sits on the bank of the river just past the bridge, so you will see it before you need to turn off the main road. The drive from Attock city takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes and the road is straightforward throughout.
How to Reach from Nowshera and Peshawar
From Nowshera, take the GT Road eastward toward Attock. Kund Park appears on the right side of the road as you approach the Khairabad Kund Bridge, which makes the entrance easy to spot. From Peshawar, the same GT Road runs all the way to the park, taking about an hour to an hour and a half depending on traffic through Nowshera. Using Google Maps with the search term Kund Bear Park Nowshera gives the most accurate navigation pin for the entrance.
By Public Transport
Buses and coaches running along the GT Road between Attock, Nowshera, and Peshawar pass the Kund Park area regularly throughout the day. From Attock or Nowshera bus terminals, board any GT Road bus heading in the opposite direction and ask the conductor to drop you at Khairabad Kund. From there, the park entrance is a short walk. If you are coming from Islamabad or Rawalpindi, board a Peshawar-bound bus on the M-1 route and transfer at Attock or Nowshera for a local GT Road bus to the park.
Kund Park Attractions
The Bear Sanctuary
Asian Black Bears and Himalayan Brown Bears
The bear sanctuary is the heart of Kund Park and the reason the park exists at all. Asian black bears and Himalayan brown bears live here in open enclosures that replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible within a managed setting. Because all of the bears in the sanctuary were rescued from bear baiting events, none of them have their teeth, and none of them could survive in the wild.
Leopards
Beyond the bears, Kund Park also houses leopards in a separate enclosure. Leopards are among the most elusive big cats in Pakistan, rarely seen in the wild and difficult to observe even in their natural habitat. Having the opportunity to see them up close, in a setting where they are well cared for and not under the stress of a traditional zoo environment, is something that appeals particularly to visitors who have an interest in Pakistan’s native predator wildlife. The leopard enclosure is separate from the main bear sanctuary but accessible within the same park visit.
Other Wildlife
The wildlife collection at Kund Park extends beyond the headline bears and leopards. The park also houses various species of cranes, deer, ducks, parrots, peacocks, and pheasants. The bird collection is spread across open areas of the park rather than in separate cages, so peacocks wander through the park grounds freely, which consistently surprises first-time visitors who are not expecting to encounter them mid-walk. The combination of large mammals, big cats, and diverse bird species makes Kund Park one of the more varied wildlife experiences in KPK, even though it started with a very specific and focused rescue mission.
Kund Water Park
Water Slides, Swimming Pool and Rides
Over the years since its founding, Kund Park has grown beyond its original sanctuary role to include a water park section that draws families during the summer months. The water facilities include waterslides and swimming pools that provide relief from the intense heat that KPK experiences between May and September. The pool maintenance is supervised, and the slides are suitable for older children and adults, making it one of the few water park facilities accessible to families in the Attock and Nowshera area without traveling to a major city.
Boating on the Indus and Kabul Rivers
Small boats are available at Kund Park for visitors who want to get onto the rivers. The experience of being on the water at the point where the Indus and the Kabul join is genuinely different from standard river boating, because you are sitting in the space between two of the most historically significant rivers in the subcontinent. The Indus has been the boundary, the highway, and the lifeblood of civilisations on both sides for thousands of years. The Kabul flows down from Afghanistan through one of the most contested mountain corridors in history.
Fishing
The rivers surrounding Kund Park are productive fishing grounds, and the park accommodates fishing activity for visitors who come specifically for it. The Indus and Kabul rivers at this confluence carry a mix of species, including mahseer, rohu, and catfish that attract anglers from Attock, Nowshera, and further afield.
Camel Riding
Camel riding is available within the park and is particularly popular with children. The camels are handled by experienced keepers and rides take place within designated areas of the park grounds. Though it sounds like a small thing, camel riding at Kund Park is something that urban families from Peshawar and Islamabad specifically mention as a highlight for their children, partly because it is genuinely uncommon outside of rural settings and partly because the combination of the camel, the riverside backdrop, and the open park grounds makes for a memorable photograph.
Motorcycle Rides
Motorised motorcycle rides around the park are available for adventurous visitors who want to cover the park grounds faster than walking allows. The rides give access to areas of the park that are further from the entrance, including the riverside sections that are most atmospheric in the morning and evening when the light on the water is best. The rides are organised through the park’s internal facilities and are priced separately from the general entry.
Entertainment Shows
Kund Park hosts entertainment shows, including puppet shows, theatrical performances, magic shows, and snake shows throughout the visiting season. The shows are particularly active during peak periods like Eid holidays and school break seasons when family visitor numbers are at their highest. The carnival atmosphere that these shows create, combined with the food stalls spread through the park, gives Kund Park a lively character on busy days that is quite different from the quiet of an early morning weekday visit.
Picnic Areas and Lawns
The park’s picnic infrastructure is well developed, with lawns, covered huts, and dedicated picnic spots spread throughout the grounds. Families from Attock, Nowshera, Swabi, and Peshawar regularly use Kund Park as a picnic destination without necessarily engaging with the water rides or the safari section. The riverside location makes the picnic areas genuinely pleasant, particularly on spring and autumn days when the temperature is comfortable, and the river views are at their clearest. The park’s restaurant and food stalls provide catering options for visitors who prefer not to bring their own food.
River Confluence Viewpoint

One of the most photographed features of Kund Park is the viewpoint from which the confluence of the Indus and the Kabul rivers is visible. Standing at this point and watching two river systems with completely different origins, one coming from the mountains of the Hindu Kush and Afghanistan, the other draining the Himalayas and the plains of Punjab, merge into a single body of water is an experience that has a natural drama to it. The view from the Attock Bridge above the park gives an even higher perspective on the same confluence, and walking to the bridge viewpoint is something most visitors do in combination with the park visit itself.
Kund Park Attock Geography

The geographical setting of Kund Park is one of its most distinctive features and something that no competitor park in the region can replicate. Sitting at the exact boundary between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the park occupies a transitional zone between two of Pakistan’s most culturally and historically distinct provinces. The Attock Bridge, which crosses the Indus River just above the park, has been a strategic crossing point since the Mughal era and is today one of the most photographed bridges in Pakistan. The convergence of the Indus and the Kabul rivers at Khairabad Kund is geologically significant because it marks the point where two major Himalayan river systems combine. The Kabul River originates in Afghanistan and flows through Jalalabad before crossing into Pakistan and passing through Nowshera. The Indus originates in Tibet and flows through Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan before reaching this point.
Kund Park Weather
| Season | Temperature and Conditions |
| Spring (March to May) | 18 to 30°C — pleasant, ideal for all activities |
| Summer (June to September) | 32 to 42°C — very hot, water park best option |
| Autumn (October to November) | 15 to 28°C — ideal visiting conditions |
| Winter (December to February) | 5 to 18°C — cool, quiet, best for wildlife viewing |
The weather at Kund Park follows the pattern of the broader KPK lowland zone, which means hot summers and mild winters with very little rainfall outside the monsoon months. Spring and autumn give the best overall conditions for a complete visit covering both the wildlife sanctuary and the outdoor activities. During summer, the heat between noon and 4 PM is intense enough that most visitors either use the water park to stay cool or time their arrival for early morning and leave before midday. Winter visits are quieter and the wildlife viewing is actually better because cooler temperatures make the bears and other animals more active and visible during the day.
Best Time to Visit Kund Park
October through March gives the best combination of comfortable temperatures, clear river conditions, and active wildlife. Spring visits between March and May are particularly good because the river levels are rising from snowmelt, the park greenery is at its freshest, and the bears are noticeably more active after the winter. If the water park is your primary reason for visiting, then April through September is the relevant window, though the heat outside the water facilities during the peak summer months is something to plan around by arriving early. Kalam Valley is another top place in KPK to visit with kids, as it is a top spot for visitors in every season.
My Personal Experience at Kund Park
The drive to Kund Park on the GT Road from Attock is the kind of approach that builds anticipation properly. You follow the road along the ridge above the Indus, and somewhere around the Attock Bridge, the river comes fully into view below you, wide and brown and moving with the quiet authority of something that has been going in this direction since before memory. By the time you turn off toward the park entrance, you already have a sense of why people chose this specific spot for something permanent. The bears were what I stayed with the longest. Not because they were spectacular in the way that lions or tigers are spectacular, but because knowing the story behind them changes the way you look at them. These are animals that were treated badly for most of their lives, and they are now sitting in an open space with food and safety, doing nothing in particular, with no reason to be afraid. There is something genuinely satisfying about watching that, even if it is not the kind of excitement that most wildlife parks sell. Shinkiari is another destination where visitors from all around Pakistan visit with their families and friends.
Kund Park Map
Essential Tips for Visiting Kund Park
- Visit in the morning between 8 AM and 11 AM for the best wildlife activity and before the crowds build up
- Bring cash, as the park facilities operate on cash payment for rides, food, and activities
- Pack sunscreen and a hat for summer visits, as the riverside areas have limited shade
- Walk to the Attock Bridge viewpoint before or after the park visit for the best perspective on the river confluence
- Avoid visiting on the second and third days of Eid unless you specifically want the busy festival atmosphere
- Carry food and water for children, as the park food stalls are busiest during peak hours, and queues build quickly
- If coming from Islamabad or Rawalpindi, take the M-1 motorway to the Attock interchange and then follow the GT Road to the park
Nearby Places to Visit from Kund Park
| Place | Distance and Notes |
| Attock Fort | ~18 km — Mughal era fort from 1581, Akbar period |
| Attock Bridge | Adjacent — historic Indus crossing, great views |
| Kamra Airbase Museum | ~25 km — Pakistan Aeronautical Complex |
| Ghazi Barotha Dam | ~30 km — Indus River hydropower project |
| Kala Chitta Range | ~40 km — mountain range in Attock District |
| Hasan Abdal | ~35 km — Sikh heritage site, Panja Sahib Gurdwara |
| Nowshera City | ~12 km — main town, food and supplies |
| Swabi | ~30 km — large KPK city |
FAQs
Kund Park sits in Khair Abad Kund, near Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at the boundary between KPK and Punjab. It is positioned at the confluence of the Indus and Kabul rivers, visible from the GT Road running between Attock and Peshawar via Nowshera.
Kund Park houses Asian black bears, Himalayan brown bears, leopards, cranes, deer, ducks, parrots, peacocks, and pheasants. The park is the primary bear sanctuary in KPK, and all of its bears are rescued animals from bear baiting events that cannot be returned to the wild.
Kund Park was established in 2000 by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the Bioresource Research Centre. After Pakistan banned bear baiting in 2001, the rescued bears needed a permanent home.
From Islamabad, take the M-1 motorway toward Peshawar and exit at the Attock interchange. From there, follow the GT Road westward toward Nowshera for approximately 18 kilometres until you reach the Khairabad Kund area. The total drive from Islamabad takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
Kund Park stands apart from other parks in Pakistan because of its origins as a wildlife rescue centre rather than a commercial tourism project.






