Things To Do In Kaziranga National Park

Also known as the ‘Serengeti of the East’ the Kaziranga National Park is endowed with a myriad geographical features and the shining jewel is most certainly the one-horned rhino and tigers. From safaris to trekking, from bird watching to visiting coffee and tea plantations, from tribal-village visit to watching folk dances; there is a wide range of activities one can indulge in while at Kaziranga. There is no dearth of exciting times in the park. Here is a comprehensive list of things to do while in the Kaziranga National Park.

Elephant safari is certainly an exciting way to explore the wildlife in Kaziranga. Adventurous and thrilling, elephant safaris offer an opportunity to view wild animals from close proximity. Starting early in the morning elephant safari includes the following ranges: Bagori or Western Range, Agoratoli or Eastern Range, Burapahar or Ghoraketi Range, Kohora or Central Range and Panbari Reserved Forest.

The other way to explore the vast landscape and view exotic animals is the more common jeep safari. The jeeps cover the 4 zones of the park as mentioned above. The open jeep safari deep inside the thick forest is all that you need to get the adrenaline pumping.

With the River Brahmaputra flowing by, it offers the perfect place for sighting different species of birds. The eastern range of the park is a bird watcher’s paradise as it is endowed with a number of water lagoons. Large number of birds flock the area and one can spend hours watching their activities. Pelican, the Great Adjutant Stork, the Whistling Teal are some of the species that one commonly comes across in Kaziranga.

The national park boasts of a National Orchid Park located about 2 km from Kohora Chariali or near the Central Range. Spanning over a vast 5.95 acres landscape, the park is one of the largest of its kind. About 500 species of orchids have been found in the orchid park out of the 1314 species found in the country. Apart from orchids, the park also boasts of 132 species of leafy and sour vegetables, 46 species of bamboo and 12 species of cane.

Located a mere 14 km from Kaziranga, Kakochang Waterfall should not be given a miss during a visit to the national park. The calm and serene ambience and the sparkling clean water is the dose that is needed to heal the ravaged soul.

Located at a distance of 116 km from Kaziranga is the Tocklai Tea Research Institute near Tocklai River. A leisurely tour through the mesmerizing tea plantations is a soothing experience and will give you the taste of the real essence of Assam. It also gives tourists an insight into the research activities that are being undertaken to improve the quality of tea that is produced.

There are a fair number of tribal villages near Kaziranga. A tour of these villages will give the tourists an insight into the culture, lifestyle and practices of the tribal people. Here you find local Assamese women engaged in sewing shawls and saris using traditional method without electricity. It is mind blowing to see their work of art and creation. You can pick a souvenir from here to take back.

Tourists can spend a leisurely afternoon boating on the River Brahmaputra to catch a glimpse of the rare and endangered Gangetic Dolphins. These are comparatively smaller than the ones found in the ocean. The government has deployed measures to preserve and revive their population in the Brahmaputra. The boat ride in itself is a pleasant experience and watching the sun setting on the river is a moment you would want to capture for posterity.

You can spend a memorable evening in the Kaziranga National Orchid Park watching the cultural program that is organized for the visitors. It is a treat to watch the local bamboo and Bihu dance that the artists perform. A flavour of Assamese culture makes the stay a truly memorable one.

In the midst of a national park, you are not really spoilt for choice when it comes to food. Tourists have to rely on the restaurants that are part of the resorts within the park. The Wild Grass Lodge and Bon Habi Jungle Resort offer delicious platters. While other cuisines like Chinese and Continental are available, it is recommended to opt for the Assamese Thali to get a taste of the local flavours.