In the heart of Assam, located on the banks of the mighty Brahamputra River, this park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds. With Open country covered mostly with elephant grass, Kaziranga gives visitors a chance to see the fauna at fairly close quarters.

Situated in Jorhat Nawgaon district, the Kaziranga National Park extends over an area of 430 sq. km. It is bounded by the Mikir Hills on the South and Bramhaputra River on the north. The park, 217 km from the capital of Assam, Guwahati was declared a Wildlife sanctuary in 1950 and accorded the status of a National Park in 1974. The park divided into central, eastern and western sectors consists of semi- evergreen-forested highlands, rivulets, marshes and extensive plains covered with tall elephant grass up to 6 metres high.

The park is famous for Indian one horned rhinoceros, which can reach a height of over two metres and weigh more than two tonnes. The area was declared a game reserve in 1908 to save the one-horned rhino. The total number of rhinoceros in the park totals more than a thousand which is 70 percent of the total population of this species in the country.

The park also has elephants, swamp or wild buffalo (Over 70% of the world population), swamp deer, hog deer, barking deer, sambar/ Hoolock gibbon, pythons, civet cat, wild boar and tigers. There is a rich variety of fresh water fowls, over 450 species of woodland and grassland birds of which 18 species are globally threatened. Birds like the egrets, pond herons, river tern, black necked storks, pelican, partridges, Bengal florican stork, pied hornbill, fishing eagle are found in abundance. The river here has the gharial (fish eating crocodile) and dolphins.

March - April is best for animal sightings. Trained elephants are available as mounts for seeing the rhinos at close range. Elephant rides which last around one hour, should be booked the previous evening at the park administrative Centre in Kohora.

How to get there

Air : The nearest airports are at Jorhat, 97-km and Guwahati, 217-km away from the park. Jorhat has direct flights to Kolkata.

Rail : The nearest railhead is Furkating, situated 75-km away from the park and Jorhat.

Road : The main gate for Kaziranga, at Kohora is on the National Highway. ASTC and private buses stop here on their way to and from Guwahati, Tezpur and Upper Assam; some private buses retain a seat quota for Kaziranga passengers. The 4-hour drive from Guwahati along the Bramhaputra south bank on the NH37 passes Dispur, Nowgong and Bagjan to the park entrances at Kohora and Baguri.

For reservation contact :

Joint Director of Tourism,
Govt. of Assam,
Kaziranga National Park,
Ph. (0376) 22662429 / 423

The only Tiger Project in Assam, Manas, 176 km from Guwahati is one of the nine Tiger Reserves for conservation of wildlife in India. It is situated on the bank of the river Manas. Manas has its own peculiar faunal features, with the hispid hare, Pigmy hog and the fascinating Golden Langur. Other commonly seen animals are, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Water buffalo, Wild pig, Sambar, Swamp deer, Hog deer, During the winter, hundreds of winged species like Riverchats (White Capped Redstars), Forktails, Cormorants and various types of ducks including Rudly Shelducks migrate to Manas. The woodland birds are no less charming and include the Indian Hornbill and the great Pied Hornbill. Accommodation: Mathanguri Forest Lodge,

Accommodation: Mathanguri Forest Lodge,
Reservation: The Field Director, Project Tiger Manas, Govt. of Assam, Barpeta Road. Tourist Lodge, Barpeta Road,
Tourist Lodge, Bansbari

Reservation: Tourist Information Officer, Govt. of Assam, Barpeta Road, Ph: (03666) 260749.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: 60 km away from Guwahati is Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary where deers and rhinos can be seen. This Sanctuary is around 2 hours drive from Guwahati.

Orang National Park: