From Wikitravel

Kaziranga National park [1] is in Assam, India and is famous as the home of the rhinoceros.

[edit] Understand

Kaziranga is one of the oldest National parks in India and it is the largest habitat for Indian single horned rhinos (rhinoceros unicornis). Kaziranga is also a World Heritage Site.

[edit] History

Kaziranga National Park was said to be first recognized around 1940, but was established in 1974

[edit] Landscape

[edit] Flora and fauna

Kaziranga hosts a rich and diverse population of almost 42 species of fish, 9 species of amphibians, 27 species of reptiles, more than491 species of birds and 35 species of mammals. Among the larger mammals, there are almost 86 tigers (2000 census), 1048 elephants (2002 census), 1552 rhinos (1999 census), 1431 buffalo (2001 census) and 486 swamp deer. Kaziranga also houses more than 546 species of flora. Kaziranga is said to have about 86 tigers, which is the highest density of tigers in the world (1 every 5 km, 2000 census)

Visitors seldom see tigers due to the dense, tall grass. The rhinoceros is the real star of the park. Kaziranga also has one of the very last populations of truly wild Asian water buffalo, but even here there are many feral descendants of domesticated water buffalo, and hybridization occurs. The park is also the last haven for greater adjutant storks, with fewer than one hundred nesting pairs.

[edit] Climate

Climate is typically tropical. Varies from very hot and humid in summer (April to June) and cold nights and warm days in winter (from November to January). Kaziranga gets flooded by the water of Brahmaputra almost every year, during monsoon. The rainy season prevails from June to August. During rain, Kaziranga becomes inaccessible. Best time to visit Kaziranga is in September - October or February/March.

[edit] Get in

By Bus form Guwahati, Jorhat, Nawgaon, Dibrugarh or Tinsukia. Get down at Kohora in Guwahat-Jorhat route. Bus fare varies between private service and Government service.

By Air- Nearest airport is in Jorhat town, which is 96 km away from Kaziranga. Jorhat is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati by regular flights.

By Rail- The nearest railway station to Kaziranga is Furkating, which is 80 km away. Furkating is connected by trains from Delhi and Kolkata.

By Motorcycle ride-Best way to reach Kaziranga from Guwahati and kohima is by riding a motorcycle in a group, which is conducted as guided motorcycle tours in the state of Assam and adjoining states. Tours are operated by Kickstart Adventures- an adventure tourism firm, which has pioneered motorcycle tours in Assam. This adventure motorbike tour covers the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, giving a traveller to visit to not only popular places but also rural parts of the region to experience first-hand of tribal cultures and traditions.

[edit] Fees/Permits

Jeep Ride: Rs.850 (including Rs 200 for the entry fees & rest fuel of jeep).

Elephant Ride: Rs.180 per person.

There is an extra charge of Rs. 50 for carrying a still camera (which is a basic equipment for visiting such places).

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

Watch wildlife either from elephant back or from jeep. All the plain lands are infested by tall elephant grass, so it is more convenient to watch wildlife from elephant back. Rhinos, wild buffalo, hog deer etc can be easily seen from elephant back. Most of the animals are habituated with human presence and don't feel shy. Keeping a good binocular is a must on jeep or elephant back.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Stay at one of the local lodges, such as Wild Grass Resort or Diphlu River Lodge. A evening of music and great food rounds off the day so nicely.
• Take an elephant ride into the grassland for up-close encounters with the famous one-horned rhinocerous. Elephant rides take place very early in the morning and last about an hour.
• Take a jeep tour of the park to see other wildlife such as storks, fish-eagles, and barasingha (swamp deer).

[edit][add listing] Buy

Different forest products are sold near Mihimukh entrance of Kaziranga NP. In Kohora, there are many shops, selling different kinds of forest products and local handicrafts.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Number of restaurants are limited in that area. All the tourist lodges have their own facility for food. Most of the time the food is little expensive. There is a office cum resting place for Network Buses, there food is available for non passengers too. Only few rice hotel is there at Kohora near National highway.

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are several wine shops at Kohora. Though liqueur is not cheap. Getting chilled bottle is not possible every time because there is acute power shortage in that area.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

The best place to stay in Kaziranga is the Wild Grass Resort, as they have specialist guides and very beautiful grounds. The resort offers an old world charm Jungle resort environment, with no distractions of Cable Television. The rooms are large and comfortable, and staff efficient. Make advance reservations during season to avoid disappointment. The resort is a little away from the highway, and easy to miss. A simple phone call, and the lodge's vehicle will come to the highway to receive guests.

For further information contact Wild Grass, Kaziranga Ph: 0091 3776 262085 email: wildgrasskaziranga@gmail.com website: [www.oldassam.com]

Government Tourist lodges like Bonoshree, Bonani and Prantik are there. Contact information for Government accommodations are as follows- Bonani- 03776-262423, Aranya- 03776-262429, Kohora forest IB-03776-262428, Bagori - 03672-283463

Director of Tourism can be also contacted: Guwahati : 0361-2547102, 2542748 Email: astdcorpn@sancharnet.in

Private resorts like Landmark Woods - a world class resort near the western range of the park. Ph.: +91 9957189228, 9957189229 Email : landmarktours@sify.com

[edit] Camping

[edit] Backcountry

[edit] Stay safe

Hiking in Kaziranga is prohibited to stop man-animal conflicts, so going on a jeep or elephant-back tour are the only options. There is malaria in the region, but night-flying mosquitos are not active during the winter months which are the ideal time for visiting. Most local cases of malaria occur in the summer, when the park is closed anyway.

[edit] Get out

Hills of Karby Anglong district is a nice place for an outing. Drive down to Shiv Sagar, in Upper Assam, to visit the famed "Rong Ghor", an Amphitheatre built by Ahom Kings for their entertainmant.

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