The Ultimate Guide to the Kaziranga National Park

My extended family hails from Dibrugarh in Assam. So I have always gotten the chance to visit different locations of the stunning north-eastern region of India. One such all-time favorite place of mine is the famous Kaziranga Park. This region has a massive reserve of different animals and plants from all over the world. I, being a zoologist, love traveling to National Parks all over the world to study their unique ways for the conservation of wildlife. Thus, when I got to know about the new additions to the National Park in Kaziranga, I was excited to visit them.

Last month, I went with my entire family to Assam for a family trip. There we decided to pay a visit to the Kaziranga National Park. So on the day of our visit, we all got ready to go and explore the diversity of wildlife at this World Heritage Site. Once we got there, I saw that so much had changed since my last visit. I was excited to meet the caretakers and find out more about their new additions. But before I start sharing my journey with you, let’s talk about how to get to the Kaziranga National Park and the history of this place.

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Ways to Reach the National Park

You can use the following modes of transport to reach your destination.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is the Furkating Station, but the closest major station is the Guwahati railway station. You can check the IRCTC website for the details of the trains available from other parts of India to reach either of these stations.

By Air: The nearest airport to this place is in Jorhat, which is around 96km from this area. Another airport is the Guwahati airport, which is 225km away from Kaziranga. You can get regular flights from Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, etc. to Guwahati airport.

By Road: You can travel both by car or bus to reach your destination. The nearby bus stops include Jorhat, Guwahati, Nawgaon, Tezpur and Dibrugarh. The bus fare depends on the type of bus services you would prefer to take. Many people prefer to go for private buses as they are safer, especially while traveling to such distant places.

If you are traveling with a group, you can also use a motorbike to reach Kaziranga. The experience would be thrilling and exciting only if you are skilled at riding bikes. Many adventure bikes are available for hire in nearby states like Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, etc. You can easily travel through the rural areas of these states while going to the National Park.

The History Behind the Kaziranga Tourism Project

The areas around the Kaziranga National Park weren’t well established until the late 18th century. The history of this area dates back to 1904 when the wife of the then Viceroy of India, Mary Curzon, visited the area. She was extremely disheartened to see the condition of the area and not being able to see a single rhinoceros in that region. She pleaded her husband to take care of this area to conserve the dying wildlife here. The first Kaziranga Proposed Reserve was set up on an area of 232 square km in 1905.

Later, UNESCO declared this National Park as a World Heritage Site and took initiatives towards the conservation of wildlife by stopping poaching and hunting.

An Introduction to Kaziranga Park

Once we reached the Park, we purchased the entry tickets and passes for a jeep ride. There are different rides available according to the locations and number of people for each trip. Please note that the prices are different for Indian and foreign travelers. You can see exotic birds and the Royal Bengal Tiger by taking these jeeps through the park. To ensure the availability of vehicles and drivers for your trip, you can plan and book before your trip. This is because, due to its popularity, this place always remains booked. So, to make your trip a pleasant one, make all the necessary bookings accordingly.

You can carry your camera and other belongings, but you have to pay some minimal fees for them. The charges are a bit different for filmmakers and photographers. Elephant rides are also available at affordable prices in the National Park.

The Landscape of Kaziranga Park

Once we entered the premises, there was an introduction to this National Park given at the entrance for the visitors. The Kaziranga National Park is one of the largest and oldest habitats of the plants and animals native to this area. UNESCO has declared this place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This National Park got recognition in 1940 but was constructed in 1974. According to the 2018 census, the rhino population of this park is numbered at around 2413. Out of this, 1641 are adults, 387 are sub-adults, and 385 are calves. Other than rhinos, Kaziranga is home to many varieties of species of tigers, elephants, buffalo, deer, etc.

In 2006, this National Park was declared a Tiger Reserve due to them being endangered. BirdLife International has also recognized this place as an important place due to its conservation strategies of some rare bird species. Among the other National Parks in India, Kaziranga stands out due to its outstanding success in the conservation of wildlife. This place sits on the eastern side of the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Hence, this place is overflowing with an enormous amount of diversified species of both flora and fauna.

Many people fail to see the tigers due to the tall grasses. But, we were fortunate to get a glimpse of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger here. The actual star of this Park is the one-horned rhinoceros, and you can also see water buffalos here. You can also sight some enormous storks, swamp deer, leopards, elephants, and bears in this Park.

The Climate of the Region

The climate of Assam is tropical. The summers are hot and humid while the winters are cold. The river Brahmaputra flows through Assam, and the Kaziranga Park sits on the banks of this river. So during monsoons, most of the Park gets flooded due to heavy rainfall. The monsoons start in June and remain till August in Assam.

So, during the monsoons, one cannot access the National Park. The best time to go and see the National Park is between September and October or in February.

Places in and Around Kaziranga National Park

After exploring the National Park, we also did a mini-tour of the nearby areas.

1. Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

This is a part of the Kaziranga National Park but is maintained separately. Here, the specialists utilize various natural and scientific methods to conserve varied species of Apes.

2. Orang National Park

This is the oldest reserve of Assam and helps preserve the breeding of different species of fish. This Park also has vast reserves of tigers and rhinoceros. Thus people often refer to this place as a mini version of the Kaziranga National Park.

3. Pobitora National Park

This Park is in the Marigaon district and is another home of the one-horned rhinoceros. This place is also home to more than 200 species of birds and wild buffaloes.

4. The Tea Garden of Kaziranga

The tea garden was established in 1864 by the British Assam Tea Company. But later the North East Tourism took over these tea plantations. You can take a tour of these fields and also buy some exotic teas from here.

Rules and Regulations of the Park

There are some strict rules and regulations which should be kept in mind while visiting this National Park. Some of the vital things to keep in mind are:

Try to wear colors like green, beige, brown, and avoid brightly colored clothes. Dress according to the weather conditions.

Avoid wearing strong perfumes as animals are sensitive to strong smells.

Smoking and drinking alcohol are strictly not allowed in the Park.

Respect the animals at this Park and try to maintain a distance from them.

Do not shout or play any music loudly as that might agitate the animals.

You should never carry any sharp objects or firearms inside the National Park.

Do not throw any food or substances and try to maintain the cleanliness of the place.

Never feed the animals of the National Park.

Go for photography tours only after taking due permission from the park authorities.

Opt for an elephant safari to get the best views of the wildlife.

Never try to touch or irritate the animals and the birds of the Park.

Remember to carry your photo ID proof along with you.

Since it is a long journey, bring some dry snacks and a bottle of water along with you to avoid dehydration.

In case of an emergency, immediately contact the authorities of the National Park.

We took care of these points while traveling around Kaziranga National Park. All and all, our entire visit to this Park was excellent and informative. The world is on the brim of getting destroyed today, but these National parks are doing a great job of conserving wildlife successfully.