Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is a Oldest and the most famous sanctuary in Assam bounded by the Brahmaputra river and the Mikir hills in the Golaghat and Nagaon district. Kaziranga National Park sprawls into 430 sq kms of sheer thick forest, elephant grasslands, rugged reeds, mellow marshes and the shallow pools. A World heritage site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world’s great One Horned Rhinoceros.

From the Howdah (seat in the back) of an Elephant, you encounter the majesties of the jungles here. You can also stroll through the lush coffee and rubber plantations of nearby Karbi Anglong, or visit the villages and talk to the Karbi people of romp through the fascinating tea gardens and watch how you get your daily cup of tea. Film shows on wild life are also arranged at the tourist lodge on request. The best season to visit the National Park is from October through to mid April.

The National Highway 37 passes through the park area and tea estates, hemmed by table-top tea bushes. One can even see the rhinos and wild elephants straying near the highway.

The means of travel inside the park is on the back of trained elephants with mahout guides, or in Jeep or 4WD vehicles. Most rides are booked in advance and depart from the Park Administrative Centre in Kohora. The Park has three tourist routes under the jurisdiction of three Ranges — Kohora, Bagori and Agaratoli. These roads are open to light vehicles from November to mid May.

The park remains closed from mid-April to mid-October due to monsoon. Visitors willing to view wild life by motorcars are guided through these roads by the staff of this department. The visitors are allowed to take in their own vehicles; however no visitor is allowed to enter the park without an accompanying representative of the forest department. Observation towers are situated at Sohola, Mihimukh, Kathpara, Foliamari and Harmoti for spotting wildlife. Wildlife watching, including birding is the main activity inside the park.

Viewing the scenic landscape of the park with different vegetation types interspersed with numerous beels and the snow covered mountains of Himalayas at a distance constitute other attractions. Hiking in the park is not allowed taking into consideration the large number of potentially dangerous wild animals. An interpretation centre is being set up at the Bagori range of Kaziranga, to help the visitors; tourists know everything about the park.

Wildlife to Be Seen

Kaziranga Natioanl Park is famous for -

• Indian Elephant
• Indian Bison
• Swamp Deer
• Sambar Deer
• Hog Deer
• Indian Tiger
• Leopard
• Sloth Bear
• Leopard Cat
• Hog
• Badger
• Capped Languor
• Hillock Gibbon
• Jackal
• Porcupine
• Python
• and a variety of birds includes –
• Pelicans
• Ducks
• Hornbills
• Ibis
• Cormorants
• Egrets
• Herow
• Black Necked Strokes
• Lesser Adjutants
• Ring-Tailed Fishing Eagles

Above all the famous One Horned Indian Rhinos. Once almost extinct this endangered species are being increased steadily. They number now over 400.

To Reach

• By AIR: Nearest airport is Jorhat at a distance of 98 kms. Another airport Guwahati is situated at a distance of 217 kms.
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• By Road: Regular bus service is available from Guwahati, Nagaon, Tezpur etc, through NH 37.

Temperature

Summer : 180C – 350C, Winter : 70C – 240C