Kaziranga jeep safari

Nestled across the Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam in India, the Kaziranga National Park is a treasure trove of fantastic beasts, birds and vegetation. It is especially famous for sheltering 70 per cent of the world's great one-horned rhinoceros with a population of about 2,500. Apart from rhinos, the park also has a high density of tigers and it was declared as Kaziranga tiger reserve in 2006. 

Kaziranga Park was declared as a forest reserve in 1908 and then designated as Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary in 1950. It wasn't until 1968 that it was declared as a national park, and in the year 1985 it was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 

Spanning over an approximate area of 430 sq km, the landscape of the park features tall elephant grass, dense tropical forests and marshlands with four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, cutting across the park. The park is also peppered with numerous small lakes and other water bodies. 

The park attracts wildlife buffs from every corner of the world, all flocking to catch sight of exotic animal species like tigers, elephants, leopards, water buffaloes, among many others. It is also home to various avifauna species and a magnificent range of plants and trees. The splendour of the sanctuary is best enjoyed and explored through Kaziranga jeep safari.

Kaziranga jeep safari

Open jeep safari takes you into the core areas of the park, deep into the wilderness and gives you the opportunity to marvel at its inhabitants. You'll come across one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, swamp deer, elephants, wild buffalo and a number of other animals. 

Elephant safari 

Elephant safari allows you to explore the wide biodiversity of the park on the back of a giant, yet gentle mammal. Unlike jeep safari, elephant safari gives you the opportunity to see animals in close proximity. You can get amazing pictures of the famed one-horned rhinoceros and the surrounding flora and fauna.

Buffer Zones

To promote tourism, the Kaziranga National Park is divided into four zones. They are - Central or Kohora Zone, Western or Bagori Zone, Eastern or Agoratoli Zone and the Burapahar Zone. 

The Central Zone is overall the best zone for safari as it harbours a dense population of rhinos and elephants. The Western Zone also has a decent rhino population among other animals like gaurs, elephants, etc. The Eastern Zone is favoured by those who want the best chance at spotting tigers and migratory birds. Jeep Safaris are conducted in every zone while elephant Safari is arranged only in the Central and Western Zone.

What you’ll see

Along with the largest population of one-horned rhinos, a variety of other animals call this park their home. You'll find Bengal tigers, leopard, Asiatic elephants, swamp deer, water buffalos, wild boars, sloth bears, sambar, hoolock gibbons and many more exotic fauna species. 

The park is a bird watchers paradise, for it boats almost 500 species of resident and migratory birds. You'll spot birds like kingfisher, hornbills, grey peacock, spotted eagle, white-fronted goose, yellow weaver, grey-headed fish eagle, rufous-vented grass babbler, cinereous vulture, Asian king vulture, Asian openbill stork, lesser adjutant and so many more. The park is recognised as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

The largest snakes in the world can also be found here, such as the reticulated python and the rock python and others like Russell's viper, common krait and the king cobra. 

Where to stay

The Kaziranga National Park has no dearth of staying options in and around its region. They range from luxury resorts, hotels, cottages, homestays, lodges and camps. You can relax and rejuvenate with your family and friends in the serenity and beauty of the wilderness. 

When to go

The winter season, between the months of November and February, is probably the best time to visit Kaziranga National Park. The temperature ranges from 5 degrees Celsius to 25 degree Celsius and the weather is pleasant and cool. This is the ideal season for bird watching as there are many migratory birds and you'll also have a better likelihood of spotting rhinos.

The summer season, during the months of March and April, gets very hot and dry with the mercury hitting up to 37 degree Celsius. However, it drops down to almost 7 degree Celsius as the sun sets and the climate gets a little cool. This is a great season for Kaziranga jeep safari, especially if you want to catch sight of tigers, elephants and rhinos. You'll also be able to see a number of other wild animals as they gather near water bodies for a summer drink.

In the monsoon season, during the months of May through October, the park remains shut on account of the heavy rains that cause the Brahmaputra River to flood the park. 

How to get there

Kaziranga National park is an important national park of India well-known for its significant rhino population and tiger reserve. Wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world come here, every year, to experience the exotic wilderness and beauty. Thus, this park is well connected to major Indian cities and can be accessed through all modes of transport. 

By air: Guwahati Airport and Jorhat Airport are the two nearest airports to Kaziranga National Park, located at a distance of about 225 km and 100 km away, respectively. Both airports are well connected to most major Indian cities and Guwahati Airport also welcomes international travellers. Once at the airport, you can hire a cab, taxi or make use of state-owned or private buses to the national park. 

By train: Furkating, located around 80 km away from the park is the closest railway station to Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary. It has strong railway connectivity with major railway stations in India like Guwahati, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, etc. Guwahati railway station and Jorhat railway station, two of the major railway stations of the Northeast railways are also located near the park around 200 km and 90 km away, respectively. Cabs, taxis and bus services are readily available from the station to the Kaziranga park. 


By road: The main gate to the Kaziranga Park is located in a town called Kohora which lies on NH-37. Hence, Kohora is well connected with major cities in Assam like Guwahati, Jorhat, Tezpur, Nagaon, Dimapur, Golaghat, Sivasagar, etc. There are regular buses, both state-owned and private, and local transport available to travel to Kohora. The cities of Guwahati and Jorhat are connected to the rest of the country by air, road and rail and visitors can first arrive in either of these cities and then further use roadways to make their way to the park.

Best time to go/Weather

The best time to visit Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary is during the winter season, between the months of November and February. The weather is cool and pleasant, and the temperature ranges from 5 degrees Celsius to 25 degree Celsius. This season is great for bird watching and offers higher chances of spotting rhinos.

The summer season is also a good time to book a Kaziranga jeep safari. The climate is hot and dry during the months of March and April, with the day temperature reaching up to 37 degree Celsius. But as the sun sets, it cools to a pleasant 7 degree Celsius. It's a great season to spot tigers, elephants, rhinos and other animals as they gather around water bodies. 

During the monsoon season, the region receives heavy rains and the Brahmaputra River floods the national park. Hence, the park remains closed from May to October.

Kaziranga National Park is a prominent national park of India, famous for the rhino reserve and tiger reserve. Every year, scores of people from around the world visit the park to experience the beauty and exotic greenery of the park, so it can be easily accessed through all modes of transport. 

By air: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, located in Guwahati, and Jorhat Airport are the two closest airports to Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary. The former is located at a distance of about 225 km away from the park and serves both domestic and international tourists while the latter is located at a distance of about 100 km from the park and serves only domestic visitors. From the airport, you can easily hire a cab or taxi to reach the national park. The cheaper alternative than a cab is to take a state-owned bus or a private bus to the park, from the Paltan Bazaar bus stand, located around 23 km from the airport.

By rail: The closest railway station to Kaziranga is Furkating, located at a distance of about 80 km from the park. It is well connected by trains to all the major railway stations in India like Guwahati, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, etc. The other railway stations near the park also include Guwahati railway station, located around 200 km away and Jorhat railway station, located around 90 km away. Both are the major railway stations of the Northeast railways. Cabs, taxis and bus services are readily available from the stations to the Kaziranga park. 

By road: Kohora is the main gate of the Kaziranga park and the town is located on NH-37. Due to this, Kohora is well connected to major Assamese cities like Guwahati, Jorhat, Tezpur, Nagaon, Dimapur, Golaghat, Sivasagar, etc. You can easily find state-owned or private buses and local transport ready to take you to Kohora. The cities of Guwahati and Jorhat are connected to the rest of the country by air, road and rail and visitors can first arrive in either of these cities and then make their way to the park by roadway. 

When getting dressed for a safari, wear clothes that are in neutral earthy tones like light brown, tan, khaki and olive. These colours will make game watching easier while bright and shiny clothes can drive wild animals away. Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs as they prevent direct sunlight exposure. You'll also be safe from dust that can stick to your skin and cause irritation, and insect bites. During the summer, opt to wear clothes that are light, comfortable and preferably in cotton or linen. Wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun cap is extremely important.

Wear woollen clothes during the winter and carry a jacket. Layering your clothes is a good idea to get extra warmth, and you can shed the layers during the hottest point of the day. Wear shoes or sneakers that completely cover your feet. Remember to apply sunscreen and insect repellent, regardless of the weather.

While on your Kaziranga jeep safari, it is essential to carry sunglasses, sunscreen and sun cap for sun protection, a refillable water bottle, for hydration throughout the day, insect repellent to protect yourself from insect bites, a jacket, to protect yourself from the chilly breeze and a camera with a full battery charge and plenty of memory space. It is also a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars so you don't miss out on a single thing!

No sort of physical preparation is needed for Kaziranga jeep safari. You’ll be seated in the jeep for most of the day with only a little walking around. People of all age groups can come to enjoy the magic of Kaziranga National Park.

Kaziranga jeep safari - Frequently Asked Questions

The most convenient way to reach Kaziranga park from Mumbai is to catch a flight to either Guwahati Airport or Jorhat Airport and then further make your way to the park by road. Regular flights are available to both these airports and they are located very close to the park. Guwahati Airport sits around 225km away and Jorhat Airport is around 100 km away from the park. You'll easily find cabs and taxis for hire at the airport or for a cheaper alternative, you can catch a state-owned or private bus to the park.

Catching a flight to either Guwahati Airport or Jorhat Airport and then travelling to the park by road is the most convenient way to reach Kaziranga Park from Delhi. You'll find regular flights to both these airports and they are situated close to the national park around 225 km and 100 km away, respectively. There are taxis and cabs for hire from the airport or you can catch a bus (state-owned or private) to the park. 

You can also travel by railway and catch a train to Furkating, which is the closest railway junction to the park, around 80 km away. You can also alternatively find trains to either Guwahati railway station and Jorhat railway station. Cabs, taxis and bus services are readily available from the stations to the Kaziranga park

The best time to go on a Kaziranga jeep safari is during the winter and summer months, between November and April. During the winter season, the weather is cool and you'll spot varied species of birds and the rare one-horned rhinoceros. During the summer season, the weather during the day might be hot but it gets cooler as the sun sets. You'll spot many animals near water bodies and you'll also get a chance to see tigers, elephants and rhinos. The park remains shut during the months of May and October as the monsoon season brings heavy rain that leads the Brahmaputra River to flood the park. 

Cell phones and mobile phones are allowed on a safari ride; however, visitors are requested to not play loud music and ensure that their devices are on silent mode throughout.

A maximum of six adults, excluding the jeep driver and forest guide, is allowed in one vehicle during the safari.

Your staying options in and around the park ranges from luxury hotels and resorts, cottages, homestays, lodges and jungle camps, that offer the perfect balance between comfort, beauty and wilderness.

During the winter, the temperature during the day reaches 25 degrees Celsius and drops down to 5 degrees Celsius at night. It is important to carry jackets and dress in woollen. Your clothes should be in neutral colours and remember to put on sunscreen and insect repellant before your set off on your safari.

During the summer, the day temperature reaches up to 37 degree Celsius. Wear clothes that are light, comfortable, preferably made of cotton or linen and in earthy hues. Wear long-sleeved clothes to prevent direct sunlight on naked skin. Slathering on sunscreen and wearing a sun cap and sunglasses is very important. Carry along a light jacket as the temperature drops as the sun sets. 

In order to promote tourism, the park is divided into four zones  - Central or Kohora Zone, Western or Bagori Zone, Eastern or Agoratoli Zone and the Burapahar Zone. The Eastern and Western Zones are the best for sighting animals.