| Wildlife Sightings:
Kaziranga is home to 35 mammal species. It has the largest congregation of Indian one-horned rhino in India, while other animals seen here are wild buffalos, elephants, sloth bears, jungle cats, hog badgers, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, wild boars, jackals, porcupines, pythons, swamp deer, sambars and hog deer. If you are extremely lucky, you may also see a tiger or a leopard.
The park also has a large population of birds, including several migrating visitors in winter. The park is also the breeding ground for thousands of Pelicans. Rare species of Indian birds found here are the greater adjutant stork, the Bengal florican and the blossom-headed parakeet. Two of the largest snakes in the world, the reticulated and rock pythons inhabit the park.
The best way to explore the abundant wildlife of Kaziranga is either by jeep safari or on elephant back. The elephant safari is preferred by most of the wildlife enthusiasts as it allows you to go extremely close to the animals.
Other Activities:
The tea gardens in and around Kaziranga include Hathkhuli, Methoni, Difalu, Behora and Borchapori. You can drive or walk in the pleasant hill-sides dotted with tea bushes and also buy some fresh Assam tea at the local shops.
If you plan to visit Kaziranga in January, you can witness the annual Elephant Festival which is a great crowd puller. The festival culminates with entertaining cultural programs. Other attractions around Kaziranga include visits to the nearby Karbi villages where you can see the typical local architecture and also buy handmade cane and bamboo handicrafts. Kakochang Waterfalls located in Jorhat district near-by is a natural sight-seeing spot.
Tourism Info:
Joint Director of Tourism, Kaziranga,
P.O Kaziranga National Park,
District Jorhat, Assam – 785612
Phone : 037626-62444
Situated on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra, Kaziranga at the foot of Mikir hills is one of the most picturesque and rich wildlife habitats in southern Asia.
Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1985, this sanctuary spread over 430
sq km, was created to preserve the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Tall
dense grasslands, wetlands, wet tropical evergreen forests and moist
deciduous forests comprise the ecosystem of Kaziranga, accounting for
the rich biodiversity of the national park. In 1908, Kaziranga was
declared a reserve forest with a ban on poaching, due to the efforts of
Lady Curzon, the wife of the British Viceroy. However, it was several
years later that Kaziranga got its official status of a national park
in 1974. |
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