Home
to one horned Rhinos,
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary is a
destination unlike you've seen before.
Why Kaziranga
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary one of the World Heritage Site is situated in
the northeastern state of Assam in India. The Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary
houses world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as
many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands
of birds. In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last areas in
eastern India undisturbed by a human presence.
It was an alarming depletion in the numbers of Rhinos, due to hunting and
poaching that led to the conservation of this area in 1926. In 1940,
Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary. Today, Kaziranga supports the largest
number of rhino in the subcontinent. The Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctruary is
home to the great one horned Indian Rhino, about 900 in number. Apart from
Rhinos, it is also famous for Indian Elephants.
Key Factors
State : Assam in the
northeast India
Climate : The climate of Kaziranga park is tropical. Summer Max 35 C
Min. 18 C. Winter Max 24 C Min 7 C. Take cotton clothes for summers and do
not forget to pack woolens during winters. Annual rainfall 2300 mm, heavy in
summer. But the monsoon months bring heavy downpours which often flood the
park
Area : 430 sq. km.
Mode of Visit : Air, Rail or Road.
Travel Tips : Be careful about your requirements. Check your package
before you start your trip and also consult your doctor.
Best time to visit : November-April
Nearest town : Bokakhat (23 km)
Get there
To reach Kaziranga, you can take any mode of transport, but the best is air
if you can afford or else rail as it is both cheaper and comfortable. But
neither of these two will take you close to the Park. To reach the park you
have to pick a bus or taxi. And to acquaint with the forest life you can
take an Elephant Safari or a Jeep Safari.
International
Airport : At Kolkata (1182 km) from Guwahati.
Airport : Jorhat (84 km)
Railways : Guwahati (219 km).
Road : You can Take a bus or taxi from Guwahati or Jorhat to the
sanctuary.
Stay There
You will find numerous hotels & lodges near the Kaziranga Wildilife
Sanctuary. The accommodation of all the categories are found here. The
accommodations here ranges from luxury to budget category. Select the
accommodation, which best suites you.
Nearby Wildlife Lodges
Venture Into the Kaziranga
Elephant Safari or Jeep Safari are the two ways to explore the wild in the
wilds. If you have too much time in your hand, then go for an Elephant
Safari or else you take a Jeep Safari. Elephant Safari is slower but, more
thrilling as compared to Jeep Safari, as you get too much time to feel the
surroundings in a natural way. Take a forest Guide with yourself as you
venture into the forest area, as he will be of great help to you through out
your forest trip.
As you start your venture into the forest world, you will come across the
swamps and grasslands with tall thickets of elephant grass and patches of
evergreen forest, and in between you will have a meeting with various
creatures. The tranquil atmosphere of the jungle will absorb you in its
green beauty, as you proceed further and further. The unique flora will
leave you absolutely astound. The beautiful swamplands with an abundant
cover of water lilies, water hyacinth and lotus are some delightful breaks
amidst the thick patches of evergreen forests. In Kaziranga, the rhinos, the
elephants and other wildlife wander freely, so at every step you may come
across varied species of fauna.
The
Fauna
In between your venture into the Kaziranga (whether by a Jeep or Elephant)
your eyes will be captivated by the major wild attractions which will
include a large population of Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer or
Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats,
Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal,
Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, etc. You will also come across
animal like barking deer, Sambar, golden Langurs, Slow Loris, pygmy hog,
capped langur and bears.
The Avifauna
In addition to the fauna, Kaziranga also houses a large number of avifauna.
Do try to visit the avifauna section, the musical notes of the singing birds
there will increase your drive to visit the sanctuary extensively. Don't
ever try to compete them in singing as there are many to challenge you. You
will be challenged by the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite,
Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle,
Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, etc. Huge numbers of migratory
birds descend on the parks lakes and swampy areas during winters, including
Greylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck,
Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller.
Don't stop here, because few more things are left! The Reptiles!
The Reptiles
Another place for you to visit and get inspired. You will find Rock Pythons
and many more varieties of snakes, Monitor Lizards and Turtles there.
Additional Punch
After visiting the National Park, don't forget to visit the other
attractions of the area. Do try to lick every part of the area, as it will
make your trip a mixed box of sweet, sour and salty, something you would
really prefer. There are many places which you can visit here, while you
stay at Kaziranga National Park. The Kakochang waterfalls is 13 km from
Bokakhat in the Jorhat district of Assam. Not far from the park are the
ruins of the ancient Numaligarh (in the Golaghat district of Assam). These
ruins are of great archaeological importance. The tea gardens of Hathkhuli,
Methoni, Difalu, Behora Borchapori (all in Assam) are also other local
attractions. Also visit the coffee and rubber plantations, you may find them
at the back of your tourist lodge.
And, yes make sure to taste the cuisine of Assam, as that is the best way
to know about the real culture of any place. If you keep interest in
collecting mementos from various places, then buy some bamboo made items, as
they are the most beautifully made exclusive items of this place.
Extend the
Trip
If you are in Assam, how can you miss the other parts of northeast India.
The entire northeast India is overwhelming and Assam is the gateway to all
the six states of northeast India. From Kaziranga, both Arunachal Pradesh
and Nagaland are easily accessible, as both are the closest states from the
sanctuary. You can visit both or either of them or you can also choose to
taste the entire northeast India. Every part of northeast is different and
special. But, if you don't have enough time in your hand then try a travel
to the state of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The varied tribal culture of
both the state will bewilder you. The tropical landscape and the exceptional
orchids in the area are something, which will catch your sights. If you are
heading towards the Arunachal Pradesh, then visit the Tipi Orchidarium, the
visit here will make your trip to northeast truly fruitful as you will come
across some exceptional variety of orchids here. You can also visit the
Namdapha National Park, if you want to have more information on the Indian
wildlife. Namdapha is just 140 km from Dibrugarh (443 km from Guwahati) in
Assam.
If you are heading towards, Nagaland then the sites you can visit near
Kohima include the tribal village of Khonoma, Dzulekie (famous for
waterfalls), Jopfu Peak, Dzukou Valley, Dimapur, etc. Kohima is 339 km from
Guwahati.
Adventurous Punch
The Park is on the bank of the majestic Brahmaputra. The River Brahmaputra
offers an extensive range of water sports. The sports are - River rafting,
Fishing & Angling, etc.
Few Difficulties
Kaziranga is situated in the northeast of India, you may find some
difficulty in approaching the place, as the mode of communication is too
limited. Again, you may not find your choice of food. And another difficulty
you may face in language. Most of the people here speak Assamese. Only the
educated people can speak English here and there are few more who can speak
Hindi. So, it is advisable that you take a proper guide with yourself, who
is well versed in local culture and language.
Few Suggestions
Contact a Travel Agent, who will make all the travel arrangements for you
according to your period of stay. Book you tickets well before you start. If
you want an extensive information on wildlife, then try to give as much time
as you can. Pack enough clothings for yourself. Try to pack some basic
medicines, you may need in your trip. After reaching Assam, try to be
friendly with the local people, who are very hospitable and would be of
great help to you. And, if your want to know more about your travel needs,
then feel free to contact us.
