Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam. Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. Ganges River dolphins swim in the park’s waters. It’s visited by many rare migratory birds, and gray pelicans roost near Kaziranga village.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam, in the far northeast part of the country. Although this national park does not enjoy a direct rail, air or road connectivity, you would not face any major problems while reaching it. However, in order to do that, you should know about the nearest railway stations, airports and road connectivity. Here, you will know the best way of reaching this national park by air, rail and road.
By Air: The nearest airport from Kaziranga is Rowriah Airport, located at a distance of almost 74km in Jorhat, Assam. The second nearest airport is Dimapur Airport, situated at a distance of almost 83km in Dimapur, Nagaland. Both these airports operate flights to and from all the major cities of the country.
By Rail: The nearest railway stations to Kaziranga National Park are located at Helem (30km), Jorhat (90km), Furkating (75km) and Guwahati (200 km). Furkating Junction Railway Station is situated at a distance of almost 75km and is connected by trains from Guwahati, apart from Delhi and Kolkata. The nearest major railway station is Guwahati and enjoys good connectivity to the rest of India.
By Road: One can approach Kaziranga National Park located in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam, from NH (national highway) 37. Kohara is the nearest bus stop to reach Kaziranga. Buses which operate from Guwahati, Tezpur, Dimapur and Upper Assam pass through Kohara.
Kaziranga Park remains closed from 01 May till 31 Oct every year for the visitors. Therefore November to April is the best time to visit Kaziranga National Park.
Summer (April to May): During this time of the year, the climate remains dry and windy; one can find animals around the water bodies.
Monsoon (June to September): From June till September, the region receives heavy rain, approximately 2,220 millimeters (87 in); thus the climate remains hot and humid. The park remains closed from May to October due to warnings of Brahmaputra river floods.
Winter (November to February): Perhaps the best time to visit the Kaziranga National Park as the climate is mild and dry. Chances of spotting rhinos are more in winter as the grass burn off and the background becomes clearer.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve
All those who have thought Indian one-horned rhinoceros only existed in Jurassic-era, than a trip to Kaziranga is a must for them. One of the most sought after wildlife holiday destinations in India, Kaziranga National park’s 430 square kilometer area sprinkled with Elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests is home to more than 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros, approximately 2/3rd of their total world population. Formed in 1908 on the recommendation of Mary Curzon, the park is located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon district. In the year 1985, the park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is said when Mary Curzon, the wife of the Viceroy of India – Lord Curzon of Kedleston, visited the park to see Indian one-horned rhinoceros; she wasn’t able to found even one. Then she persuaded her husband to take urgent measures to protect the dwindling species which he did by initiating planning for their protection. After a series of meetings and documentations, the Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest was created with an area of 232 km2 (90 sq mi) in 1905.
Along with the iconic Greater one-horned rhinoceros, the park is the breeding ground of Elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Over the time, the tiger population has also increased in Kaziranga, and that’s the reason why Kaziranga was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2006. Also, the park is recognized as an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International for the conservation of avifaunal species. Birds like lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer’s pochard duck and lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork, and Asian Open bill stork specially migrate from the Central Asia during the winter season.
Undoubtedly, the park is known for its good population of animals but more than that, it is the wildlife conservation initiatives that take place in the park are more popular. With its amazing wildlife conservation activities, the park has successfully managed to grow the population of Greater one-horned rhinoceros, an endangered species.
The vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests undoubtedly makes the park look beautiful but it’s the presence of Brahmaputra river, which makes it look enigmatic.