Kaziranga National Park in Guwahati
· Summer: April-May (25°C - 35°C)
· Winter: October-March (10°C - 20°C)
· Monsoon: June-October
Best time to visit:
November-April
Opening Time: 07:30 a.m.
Closing Time: 04:30 p.m.
Weekly Holiday:
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: INR 50
Children:
N/A
Cameras: INR 50
Video Camera: INR 500
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
INR 250
Children:
N/A
Cameras:
INR 500
Video Camera:
N/A
Located at the edge of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, Kaziranga National Park has the distinction of being a World Heritage Site as well. The flagship specie of the park is great one-horned rhinoceros, a majestic wild creature saved from extinction at this world-famous wildlife destination. In addition to the world’s two-third of one-horned rhinoceros, the park is also renowned for housing the highest density of royal Bengal tigers in the world. Other popular species at the park include wild Asiatic water buffalo, swamp deer, elephant, gaur, leopard, sambar, golden jackal, jungle cat, Chinese pangolin, civets, hog badger and many more.
Many species of primates, including Indian gibbon and Assamese macaque, also find home at the park. Kaziranga has numerous rivers (including the mighty Brahmaputra) and other water bodies across its lengths and breadths. Ganges dolphins spotted in the park’s rivers are other delightful attractions. The park is a heaven for birdwatchers, as it boasts of numerous types of herons, pelicans, eagles, terns, babblers, hornbills, warblers and so on. The biodiversity wealth of the park is further extended by many types of vegetations, including tall grasses, woodlands, thick evergreen forests and many more.
Different safari zones include Central, Western, Eastern and Kalapahar Ranges. Jeep safari (two shifts, 07:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 02:00 p.m.-04:30 p.m.) charges for these zones vary from INR 1,100 to 2,000. Elephant safari (two shifts, 06:30 a.m.-07:30 a.m. and 03:00 p.m.-04:00 p.m.) charges are INR 280 for Indians and INR 750 for foreigners. The park is closed from mid-April to mid-October.
Connectivites
Road:
State transport buses as well as private buses ply from cities like Guwahati and many others to the park. Roads are in good condition throughout. The park can be explored on safari trips in jeeps or on elephants. Private vehicles must be accompanied by the local guides.
Railway:
Furkitang Junction is the closest railway station to the park, about 98 km. away. Another good option is Guwahati Railway Station (about 192 km. away) with unlimited rail connectivity. Taxis can be hired from these stations to the park.
Airway:
Jorhat Airport, about 113 km. from the park, is the closest domestic airport to the park. To access the park from here, you must rely on taxi services.