Kaziranga National Park’s rich history dates back to 1904 when Mary Curzon, wife of the Viceroy of India, visited the area and advocated for protecting the dwindling one-horned rhinoceros population. Following her efforts, the park was declared a reserve forest in 1908. Over the years, it gained various levels of protection, becoming a wildlife sanctuary in 1950, a national park in 1974, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Kaziranga’s history is marked by dedicated conservation efforts that have transformed it into a global symbol of wildlife preservation
Kaziranga National Park / Kaziranga Tiger Reserve lies in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River in Assam and is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. The fluctuations of the Brahmaputra River result in spectacular examples of riverine and fluvial processes in this vast area of wet alluvial tall grassland interspersed with numerous broad shallow pools fringed with reeds and patches of deciduous to semi-evergreen woodlands. Kaziranga is regarded as one of the finest wildlife refuges in the world. The park’s contribution in saving the Indian one-horned rhinoceros from the brink of extinction at the turn of the 20th century to harbouring the single largest population of this species is a spectacular conservation achievement.
Kaziranga National Park/ Kaziranga Tiger Reserve has often been compared to African parks because of the quality of wildlife viewing. On account of its large “big five mammals”, Indian Rhinoceros, Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Bengal Tiger and Swamp Deer populations, Kaziranga is often referred to as the ‘Land of the Big 5 of India’.
The riverine habitat is dominated by tall dense grasslands interspersed with tropical wet evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests, interconnecting streams and numerous small lakes or bheels with the Eastern Himalayas in the background.
The park hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses, roughly 2400. Tiger is the apex predator at Kaziranga, the National Park is home to approximately 104 tigers. Other predators include leopards and lesser predators like the fishing cat and hog badger. Primates found here are the capped langur and hoolock gibbon, while other mammals are the common Indian otter, wild boar, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer and Indian muntjac. The reptilian fauna includes the water and Bengal monitor, Indian python and the king cobra.
Kaziranga’s rich avifauna makes it one of the most sought-after birding destinations in the country. The marshes support many species of waterfowl and an elephant ride reveals grassland species such as globally threatened Bengal florican & swamp francolin. Six species of storks are found including the greater and lesser adjutant and the huge black-necked stork. The woodland forests are home to blue-naped pitta, slender-billed and chestnut-capped babblers, fairy bluebirds, puff-throated babblers, silver-breasted broadbill and flocks of spot-winged starlings in winter. Tea plantations and the adjoining scrub and cultivation can be explored for the Siberian rubythroat, rufous-necked laughing thrush and thick-billed warbler. Raptors here include Pallas’s and grey-headed fish eagles, changeable hawk, steppe, booted, eastern imperial eagles, pied harrier and up to seven species of vultures including the critically endangered slender-billed, Indian and white-rumped.
Safaris at Kaziranga National Park / Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
Regular Jeep Safaris: Regular Jeep Safaris are conducted twice daily- morning and evening across the Central, Western, Eastern and Bhurapahar ranges. The morning safari starts around 7 AM (after elephant safari) and lasts up to 3.00- 3.50 hours. The duration of the evening safari is 3.00- 3.30 hours again depending on sunset.
Elephant Safaris: Kaziranga National Park also offers elephant safaris on guided trails in the Western and Central ranges of the Park. Elephant safaris in Kaziranga National Park offer a unique and intimate way to experience wildlife, bringing visitors up close to the park’s famous one-horned rhinoceroses, tigers, and other animals. These elephants are owned and meticulously cared for by the Forest Department, ensuring their well-being. They are trained and handled by experienced mahouts, receiving excellent care, regular health check-ups, and proper nutrition. Elephant safaris not only provide an unforgettable wildlife encounter but also support the conservation efforts that keep Kaziranga’s rich ecosystem thriving.
Boat Safari: Boat or Canoe rides are also offered on the Ken River at Kaziranga National Park. One can enjoy a one-hour boat ride on the confluence of the Dhansiri and Brahmaputra rivers close to the Agoratoli range of the National Park.
