Kaziranga National Park: A Popular Wildlife Destination in India

The Kaziranga National Park is one of the best wildlife destinations in India and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The National Park is situated in the Nagaon, Golaghat and Biswanath districts of Assam, India.

Attractions of Kaziranga National Park

Once you enter into the park, you will be hypnotized by its scenic beauty and diverse flora and fauna. The park is the world’s largest habitat of One horned Rhinoceros or Indian Rhinoceros. Apart from the One horned Rhinoceros, here you will get to see Indian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Swamp Deer, Indian Hog Deer, Wild Water Buffalo, Hoolock Gibbon etc. Moreover, the park is home to 478 species of birds (resident and migratory) and a lots of reptiles and butterflies. The Agoratoli Range of the Kaziranga National Park is a major attraction for the birdwatchers across the globe. The National park is declared as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the Birdlife International.

Activities in Kaziranga National Park:

• Elephant Safari

Elephant safaris are organized in the early morning. Tickets for elephant safari can be booked online or in the counter of the Park authority.

• Jeep Safari

Jeep safari is the best option to enjoy the wilderness of Kaziranga National Park. There are 4 zones in the park and you can pick one of them for jeep safari. Jeep safari tickets are available online on the official website of the National park or you may book it offline from the counter in front of the Central Range main gate.

• Trekking

If you are an adventure enthusiast, you can enjoy trekking in the outskirts of the National park. However, trekking is not allowed in the core area of the park.

• Wildlife sightseeing

The Kaziranga National Park is one of the best places in India for wildlife sightseeing. You can choose either elephant safari or jeep safari for best experience of sightseeing the wildlife in the park.

• Birdwatching

The Kaziranga National Park is one of the hotspots for the birdwatchers. The Agoratoli Range or the Eastern Range is the best zone for birdwatching in Kaziranga. Birdlife International has declared the park as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Thousands of migratory birds come to Kaziranga every year during winter season.

• Tribal village visiting

The outskirt of Kaziranga National Park is populated by mixed communities with their unique traditional and cultural heritages. You may have a glimpse of their rich heritages by visiting any one of the tribal villages near the park. Take help of a local guide if necessary.

• Tea plantation visiting

Assam is famous for its tea production. Guwahati Tea Auction Centre is one of the largest tea auction canters in the world. Kaziranga is surrounded by many tea gardens. You can visit one of them to know their years old legacy in tea production.

• Enjoying local cultural shows

During the peak season (October to April), local cultural shows are arranged by the major resorts of Kaziranga. If you are interested in cultural activities, you may request your host (lodge authority) for arranging a cultural show at night or you can visit the Orchid Park by paying a nominal entry fee to enjoy the ethnic cultural programmes like Bihu, Jhumur etc.

• Orchid Park visiting

There is a orchid park in the outskirt of Kaziranga National Park. Hundreds of species of orchids are in display in the said park. If you are interested in Orchids, this is one of the best places for you to visit.

• Rubber plantation visit

There are rubber plantations in the outskirt of the National park. You may have an experience of visiting a rubber garden in Kaziranga.

Best time to visit:

The Kaziranga National Park opens for tourists from October to April (depending upon the weather conditions). But the best time to visit is March-April from the point of view of wildlife sighting.

Where to stay

There are lots of resorts, guest houses, cottages around the park. You can choose one of them as per your budget. However, during the peak time (December – January), most of them remain booked. To avoid last minute hassle, it is advised to pre-book your stay well ahead of your visit.

How to reach:

Rowriah (Jorhat) is the nearest airport, which is about 100 km away from Kaziranga National Park. You can easily hire a cab from the airport to Kaziranga. If you are visiting by train, Furkating is the nearest Railway station, which is about 80 km away from the park. Cabs are available from the Furkating Railway Station to Kaziranga. The distance between Guwahati (capital city of Assam) and Kaziranga is almost 194 km. Buses and taxis are available from Guwahati to Kaziranga on daily basis.

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