Kaziranga National Park National Park

Address: Kaziranga National Park, Bokakhat area, Assam, India

Website: https://kaziranga.assam.gov.in/

Hours: Park open year‑round; safari timings vary (early morning and late afternoon)

Kaziranga National Park in Assam is a protected reserve on the Brahmaputra floodplain renowned for its population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its conservation significance.

Visitors arrive primarily for wildlife safaris to see rhinos, elephants, tigers and large waterbird populations across alluvial grasslands and riverine forest. The park is divided into distinct ranges used for tourism and management, with guided jeep and elephant safaris the main visitor activities.

Established initially to protect declining rhinoceros populations, Kaziranga has expanded protection measures and habitat management over the 20th century, helping recover and stabilise several large mammal populations. Its international recognition as a World Heritage Site reflects its conservation importance.

Located in eastern Assam along the Brahmaputra River floodplain, the park is reached via regional roads from nearby Assam towns and forms part of the lower Himalayan foothill and Brahmaputra valley ecosystem.

• Size and UNESCO status: Core protected area covers about 430 square kilometres and the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated for its conservation of the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
• Seasonality: Best wildlife viewing is generally from November to April after monsoon recedes, while monsoon floods from June to September substantially change park access and wildlife distribution.

What to See#

• Western range (Bagori): Western range (Bagori) includes riverine grasslands and is known for elephant and hog deer sightings as well as rhinos at certain sites.
• Central range (Kohora): Central range (Kohora) is the park’s main tourist sector and contains the visitor facilities and the highest density of one-horned rhinoceros sightings.
• Eastern range: Eastern range (Kaziranga National Park eastern sector) contains alluvial habitats and supports populations of rhino, elephant and waterfowl.

Kaziranga National Park is accessed by road from Assam’s cities and regional airports. The nearest major city is Guwahati (around 3.5-5 hours’ drive depending on the route and traffic, roughly 200-240 km) and the nearer regional airport is at Jorhat (Rowriah), which is about 80-110 km from the central Kohora visitor area (driving times vary). Regular buses and private taxis operate from Guwahati and Jorhat to the park; local bus stops and private vehicle drop‑offs near Kohora and other entrances place you within a short taxi or jeep ride (minutes) of the park gates.

• Aim for the park's open season (October-April) and book jeep or elephant safaris and accommodation in advance; the park closes or restricts access during the monsoon.
• Base yourself around Kohora (Bagori) if you want the highest concentration of visitor facilities and early‑entry safaris, but ask the forest department about less‑visited ranges on the day - going off the busiest trails can improve wildlife viewing.
• Plan early‑morning safaris for the best chance to see one‑horned rhinos and other wildlife; always use licensed forest guides and follow park rules to protect the grassland ecosystem.