Rahagir
Grassland landscape in Kaziranga National Park

Destinations / Assam

Kaziranga National Park

UNESCO-listed grassland park on the Brahmaputra, home to most of the world's one-horned rhinos.

FamousWildlifeRiverVillage

Kaziranga covers about 860 sq km of tall grass, wetland and forest beside the Brahmaputra, and holds the largest population of one-horned rhinoceros anywhere. Jeep safaris in its ranges also turn up wild elephants, swamp deer, wild buffalo and many water birds. It suits wildlife lovers, photographers and families who can manage early starts.

Trip planner

Plan from your city

From

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

WhenWhat to expect
November to FebruaryPark open. The most comfortable weather and generally the clearest sightings; this is peak season, so book safaris and rooms early.
March to AprilPark still open but warmer, with April reported at about 35 to 38 C. Animals gather near water, which can help sightings.
May to OctoberPark closed to tourists because monsoon floods cover much of it. Some jeep safaris may reopen in early October in a limited way, depending on water levels.

Sights and activities

1

Central Range (Kohora) jeep safari

The most visited range and the easiest for first-timers, with open grassland and good rhino sightings.

Distance
At Kohora
Entry
About 4000 per jeep for Indians, 7500 for foreigners (up to 6 people, includes entry permit)
Timings
Morning and afternoon slots, roughly 7:30-10:00 and 13:30-15:00 entry windows; park open 1 November to 30 April
Time needed
2-3 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

2

Western Range (Bagori) jeep safari

A quieter range known for rhinos and wetlands; elephant rides for Indian visitors are also offered here.

Distance
West of Kohora along the highway
Entry
About 4000 per jeep for Indians, 7500 for foreigners; elephant ride about 1500 per person (Indians)
Timings
Morning and afternoon jeep slots; elephant rides early morning only. Closed May to October
Time needed
2-3 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

3

Eastern Range (Agaratoli) jeep safari

Strong for birdwatching around its wetlands, with fewer large mammals than the central range.

Distance
East of Kohora towards Bokakhat
Entry
About 5000 per jeep for Indians, 8500 for foreigners
Timings
Morning and afternoon slots. Closed May to October
Time needed
2-3 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

4

Burapahar Range jeep safari

The westernmost range with low hills and forest, where tigers are occasionally seen.

Distance
Western end of the park, at Ghorakati
Entry
About 5500 per jeep for Indians, 8500 for foreigners
Timings
Morning and afternoon slots. Closed May to October
Time needed
2-3 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

5

National Orchid and Biodiversity Park

A garden with several hundred orchid species, medicinal plants and cultural shows on Assamese life.

Distance
Near Kaziranga.
Time needed
1-2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

6

Tea estates (Hathikuli and Addabarie)

Tea gardens near the park where visitors can walk the plantations and see how tea is made; Hathikuli is a large organic estate.

Distance
Near Kaziranga.
Time needed
1-2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

7

Kakochang Waterfalls

A small cascade in the hills near the park, used for picnics, photos and short walks.

Distance
Near Kaziranga.
Entry
Free
Timings
Daylight hours.
Time needed
1-2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

Getting there

By bus
State (ASTC-linked) and private buses run from Guwahati ISBT to Kohora in about 4.5-5.5 hours; buses also run from Jorhat. Tell the conductor where your lodge is, as drops are at Kohora or Bagori.
By train
Furkating Junction is the nearest major railhead, about 75 km from Kohora. Jakhalabandha station near the western end also has trains from Guwahati, followed by a taxi.
By air
Jorhat airport is about 95-100 km away (about 2 hours). Guwahati airport has many more flights and is about 220-250 km away (about 5 hours).
Where to base yourself
Kohora, beside the Central Range, has the most lodges and eateries and is the easiest base for safaris.

Getting around

  • Safari jeeps are hired through the forest booking system; the per-jeep charge of about 4000-5500 for Indians includes the entry permit, driver and service charges.
  • Buses between Guwahati and Jorhat stop at Kohora and Bagori, useful for moving between ranges.
  • Lodges can arrange cars for nearby tea estates and the orchid park.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

Build your own trip

Add this place and any others to a trip of your own. It is kept on this device.

Open my trip

Where to stay

Budget levelTypePrice per night
BudgetGuest houses, small lodges and forest department rest houses around Kohora₹1,000 to ₹2,000
Mid-rangeEco camps, bamboo cottages and 3-4 star hotels₹3,000 to ₹6,000
LuxuryResorts and river lodges such as Diphlu River Lodge, Bonhabi and IORA₹9,000 to ₹17,000

Food

Most visitors eat at their lodge or resort, since dhabas are few. Kohora has a handful of restaurants serving Assamese and Indian food.

Try these

  • Masor tenga (light sour fish curry)
  • Khar (alkaline dish made with sun-dried banana peel ash)
  • Pitha (rice cakes)
  • Bamboo shoot pickle

Vegetarian thalis and Indian dishes are available at lodges and restaurants.

Daily costs

Budget levelStay per roomFood per personLocal transport
Budget₹1,500₹500₹100 per person
Mid-range₹4,500₹1,000₹1,500 per vehicle
Luxury₹12,000₹2,500₹3,000 per vehicle

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

No special permit is needed for Indian visitors, but every safari needs a park permit, which is included in the jeep or elephant safari charge. Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable once issued. Carry photo ID; safaris can be booked online in advance or at the range offices.

Safety

By day
Safe for visitors. Stay inside the safari vehicle, follow the guide, keep your distance from animals and never feed them.
At night
Entry to the park after sunset is not allowed. Wild animals can stray near roads and villages at night, so avoid walking along the highway after dark.
Solo women
Kohora is a busy tourist base and safaris run in groups with drivers and guides; normal precautions apply. No specific issues were confirmed online.
Roads
The Guwahati to Kohora road is a paved highway that runs along the park; drive slowly because animals cross it. Floods can affect access near the season edges.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)

Practical

Mobile network
Check with your lodge, as coverage inside the park can be patchy.
ATMs and cash
SBI has a branch at Kohora. Safaris and small shops are often cash only, so carry enough.
Fuel
Indian Oil's Kaziranga filling station is at Kohora on the highway; fill up in Guwahati, Nagaon or Jorhat if you are coming from further.
Medical
Larger hospitals are in Jorhat and Guwahati.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors
Jeep safaris need little walking but involve bumpy tracks and very early starts; elephant rides need climbing onto a platform.
Children
Children under 4 ride free in jeep safaris; most children enjoy the open-jeep wildlife viewing.
Wheelchair users
Access is limited. Some vehicles and lodges may be suitable. Arrange this with the park and your lodge in advance.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

  • Keep quiet on safaris, do not use flash and never leave the vehicle.
  • Elephant rides are a debated practice and slots are being reduced; consider animal welfare before booking one.
  • Nearby Mishing and Karbi villages welcome visitors; ask before photographing people.
  • Evening cultural shows feature Bihu and other Assamese dances; the Kaziranga Elephant Festival is usually held in mid-February.

What to pack

  • Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
  • Clothes in earthy colours, a cap and binoculars for safaris
  • Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
  • Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Kaziranga National Park

Report a correction