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The Gologhat and Nagaon districts of Assam in India are host to one of the best National Parks in the world, known as the Kaziranga National Park. This World Heritage Site is home to almost two-thirds of the world’s entire one-horned Rhinoceroses population. It also has the highest number of tigers amongst all tiger preservation areas. This resulted in Kaziranga National Park being proclaimed as a Tiger Reserve in 2006. The Park also shelters elephants, swamp deer and several thousand animals, including a quite a few bird species.
Located on the edge of the eastern Himalayas, where biodiversity is most pronounced in relation to floras and faunas of the region, Kaziranga National Park is a vast endless field of elephant grass and marshland intermingled with dense forest cover. This wide area covers four major rivers including the Brahmaputra. This park was a 100 years old in 2005, since its establishment in 1905 as a forest reserve.
History of Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park came into being in the early part of the 20th century; when the wife of the Viceroy of India visited the land to see a rhinoceros, which proved futile. Her tour guide told her that the number of rhinoceros was dwindling fast because of unrestricted hunting. She then encouraged her husband to act for the preservation of the rhinos. Her husband, the Viceroy of India, promptly took the needed steps that led to the creation of the Kaziranga Forest Reserve on June 1, 1905.
Special Attractions of Kaziranga National Park
The special attractions that can be found in the Kaziranga National Park is, of course, the famous one-horned rhinoceros. One can also, to one’s delight, see the huge population of large Indian Elephants, Indian Bisons, the unique Swamp Deer of Barasingha, the ferocious Bengal Tiger, wild Boars, Hoolok Gibbons and many such endangered species in this protected national park.
For bird watchers, Kaziranga National Park is truly a bird paradise. The colorful oriental Honey Buzzards, black shouldered Kite, the sleek white tailed Eagle, the Himalayan Griffon and so many other interesting kinds of birds in various shapes and colors can be spotted here.
Best Time to Visit Kaziranga National Park and Clothing to Wear
Best time to visit is during the months of November to April. The climate of the park remains tropical and so, cotton clothing is recommended.
Location of Kaziranga National Park
It is located on the edge of the eastern Himalayas. It is part of Gologhat and Nagaon districts of Assam, India. Nearest town from Kaziranga National Park is Bokakhat, 23 kilometres away from its outskirts.
How to Reach Kaziranga National Park
By Air: One has to fly to Jorhat which is 84 kilometres from the park. This is the nearest airport.
From Jorhat, buses, taxis or jeeps are available on hire to reach Kaziranga National Park.
By Rail: One has to take a train to Guwahati, 219 kilometres from the park. This is the nearest railway station. From Guwahati, many options are available to get to Kaziranga National Park.
By Road: If one wishes to drive down, one has to pass through Jorhat or Guwahati to reach Kaziranga National Park.
Timings to Visit Kaziranga National Park
On Elephant Back: 0500 to 0600 hrs, 0630 to 0730 hrs, 1530 to 1630 hrs
By Road: 0800 to 1100 hrs, 1400 to 1630 hrs
Other Tourist Attractions near Kaziranga National Park
Kakochang Waterfalls: One of the more fantastic waterfalls in Assam. It is only 41 kilometres from the park.
The tea gardens of Hathkhuli, Methoni, Difalu, Behora and Borchapori: A very beautiful place to have a picnic and for sight-seeing. It is only several kilometers from the park.
Kaziranga National Park Tourist Information Offices
Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd
(Opp ) B.Barua College
Ulubari
Guwahati 781007
Phone: 91 0361 2454421
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