Spread over 430 sq. kms across the Brahmaputra plains, Kaziranga is home to the world’s largest population of Indian one horned Rhinocerous. Elephant grass meadows, swampy lagoons and dense forest make up Kaziranga National Park. Besides 2200+ Rhinos, the Park houses tigers, elephants, deer, wild buffalos, sloth bear and a number of birds. One visit and it is so easy to see why the annual floods caused by Brahmatputra results in so many animal deaths, with most animals unable to reach higher grounds in time.
Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
How to reach Kaziranga
Kaziranga is ~195 kms from Guwahati towards the east and the journey by road takes about 4 hours. Best to hire a taxi but there are also buses running between the two places.
When to visit
The Park is closed between May and October. You can only visit between November and April.
Take both Jeep and elephant Safari
Take both the elephant safari in the morning(around 6am) and the Jeep safari, that operates in the morning as well as afternoon. Elephant safari is fun, and 4-6 people can be accommodated on one elephant. Special wooden stands have been build for tourists to climb onto elephants-even elderly people can manage. These elephants then go around grass meadows and swampy lagoons and you are sure to spot the Rhinos. The entire trip lasts about an hour.
The afternoon jeep safari took me through the dense forest. There was one view point in front of a water body and I could watch a herd of elephants and wild buffalos making its way to and from the water body.
Keep time for at least 2 Jeep safaris, one morning and one evening, though 4 is ideal. There are multiple safari routes inside the forest.
You will normally see plenty of Rhinos during the elephant safari. Looks like Rhinos do not consider elephants as an adversary. But take care not to talk loudly!
Elephant safari at Kaziranga, Assam Elephant safari Kaziranga National Park, Assam Rhinos resting at Kaziranga National Park, Assam Rhino at Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Is Kaziranga worth a visit?
Undoubtedly yes. The variety of landscape and proximity to Brahmaputra river makes it a bit unique in India. But if you are looking for tigers, this may be not the place, though Kaziranga is also a declared Tiger reserve. Kaziranga needs to be visited for Rhinos only, which are rare elsewhere anyway, except other parks in Assam.
Tezpur is only an hour’s drive away, across the Brahmaputra river, about 50kms. You can visit tea plantations near Tezpur.
How many days
Two days, Two nights is ideal.
Online booking
You can book for Jeep Safari as well as Elephant Safari online. Here is the link.
https://www.kaziranganationalpark-india.com/
Elephant safari costs INR 1450 per person and Jeep Safari INR 3,800 onwards per jeep. The rates for foreigners is higher.
The above website also provides information on Kaziranga hotels.
Where to stay
Hotels, resorts, homestays and camps are all available. I had rented a MUV with driver in Guwahati and hence checked for onsite parking as well as rooms for drivers. It should also be close to the Park as Elephant safari starts early(5.30am). I preferred to stay in a resort.
At the hotel, you may as well consider the full board option. It may be cheaper.
Vegetarian Food
Vegetarian food is readily available. But on the highways, from Guwahati to Kaziranga and then Kaziranga to Shillong, decent restaurants are sparse.