About Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam, centered around Kohora on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. Renowned for hosting two-thirds of the world's Indian one-horned rhinoceros population, it spans approximately 1,090 sq km of tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests. Declared a national park in 1974, it is also a Tiger Reserve and biodiversity hotspot.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect vast floodplains of the Brahmaputra with tall elephant grass, wetlands, and dense forest accessed via guided jeep and elephant safaris in four ranges - Central (Kohora), Western (Bagori), Eastern (Agaratoli) and Burapahar. Sightings include Indian one-horned rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, elephants and tigers, along with rich birdlife. Facilities include watchtowers, interpretation centre and forest rest houses. Safaris operate in morning and afternoon slots during the open season.
Key highlights
- 01
Hosts two-thirds of the world's population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros
- 02
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and designated Tiger Reserve since 2006
- 03
Floodplain ecosystem of the Brahmaputra River with tall elephant grass, marshes and tropical forests
- 04
High biodiversity with significant populations of wild water buffalo, swamp deer, elephants and Royal Bengal tigers
- 05
Important bird area with migratory and resident species including pelicans, storks and raptors
- 06
Guided jeep and elephant safaris across four tourism ranges
- 07
Watchtowers and viewpoints for wildlife observation and photography
History of Kaziranga National Park
Initiated as a reserve forest in 1905 at the instance of Mary Curzon, notified as Kaziranga Reserve Forest in 1908, declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950, designated a National Park in 1974, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 for its natural values, and declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. It has been central to the conservation of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
Culture & Context
Kaziranga is a symbol of wildlife conservation in Assam and India, closely associated with the identity of Assam. It supports eco-tourism and local communities around Kohora and Bokakhat, and is known for traditional conservation practices and its representation in regional art, literature and tourism promotion.