Incredible India
7 Things to Do in Kaziranga, Assam's Rhino Stronghold
Kaziranga National Park in Assam holds around two-thirds of the world's Indian one-horned rhinoceros population, spread across grassland and wetland ranges best explored by jeep, elephant-back and watchtower.
By BigTravel.in Editorial Team · · 2 min read
Kaziranga National Park sits on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra in Assam, its grasslands and wetlands flooded and replenished every year by the river. That flooding is also why the park closes for part of the year, typically from around May to October, before reopening once the water recedes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga is best known for holding roughly two-thirds of the world's population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, but its ranges also hold tigers, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and elephants. Here are seven ways to spend time in the park.
1. Jeep safari through the Central (Kohora) Range
The park's most-visited range offers the best odds of spotting rhinoceros grazing in open grassland, often at close range from the safari vehicle track.
2. Dawn elephant-back safari in the Western (Bagori) Range
Departing before sunrise, elephant-back safaris move through tall grass inaccessible to jeeps, giving a different vantage point on the park's wildlife in the cooler early hours.
3. Climb a park watchtower
Raised watchtowers such as Mihimukh let visitors scan the wetlands on foot rather than from a vehicle, and are a good option for a quieter, unhurried view of the park's water bodies.
4. Birdwatch along the park's wetlands
Kaziranga is recognised as an Important Bird Area, home to hundreds of resident and migratory species, and its beels, the local term for shallow wetland pools, draw storks, pelicans and ducks in large numbers through the cooler months.
5. Explore the Eastern (Agoratoli) Range
Quieter than the Central range, Agoratoli borders the Brahmaputra directly and is considered a strong option for birdlife and for elephant sightings away from the busier safari routes.
6. Visit the Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park
A short drive from the park's main entrance, this collection garden holds a wide range of Northeast Indian orchid species alongside a small museum on the region's biodiversity, a good option for a half-day when safari slots are unavailable.
7. Stop at an Assam tea estate on the way in or out
The road between Jorhat and Kaziranga runs through working tea gardens, and several estates offer short visits or stays that pair naturally with a Kaziranga trip.
Traveller tips
- The park is officially open from around November to April; check current dates before booking, since flooding closes it for part of the year.
- Jorhat Airport is the nearest with regular flight connections; Guwahati is a larger alternative a longer drive away.
- Safari permits and vehicle or elephant bookings are limited and best arranged in advance through the park's official channels or a registered operator.
- Mornings are markedly cooler and generally better for wildlife activity than the middle of the day.
Where this is
Kaziranga National Park, Assam
