Chasing Rhinos In Kaziranga

Spread over an area of 430 square kilometres on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park has been a protected wildlife sanctuary since 1940. It’s one of the biggest attractions that draws tourists to the North East state of Assam. Kaziranga is home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and it has successfully managed to conserve (and grow) the population of this endangered species. Visit it for the unmatched thrill of spotting big game in their element.

In Rhino Land

Kaziranga is one of the last remaining bastions of the Indian rhino – a species that has been poached and preyed upon by humans for its horn. In fact, the wildlife sanctuary is home to nearly two thirds of the Indian rhino population. From just 200 odd at the beginning of the 20^th century, the rhino population in Kaziranga stands at nearly 2,000 today – all thanks to concentrated conservation efforts by the government and World Wide Fund for Nature to reduce poaching in the area. One of the largest mammals, second only to the elephant, the rhino sports an extra tough skin. Despite its ferocious appearance, it’s an herbivore surviving mainly on grass and leaves. The much-coveted horn starts growing after about 6 years of age and is the number one reason why rhinos are hunted. It’s mistakenly believed to have medicinal, even aphrodisiacal properties. Kaziranga’s flat grasslands are an ideal habitat for the rhino and its various ranges offer great chances of spotting the animal in its natural environs.

Safari Explorations

Kaziranga opens its doors to visitors from mid-November to early April. Hour long elephant-back rides into the tall grass are one of the best ways to spot the rhino and it’s an experience in itself. The rides begin very early in the morning at 5.30 a.m. and 6.30 a.m. For late risers, a jeep safari is always an option and these run from 7.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you visit in December or January, you will have a better chance of spotting the animals as the tall grass burns off by then, thus improving visibility. The cooler climate also brings more animals out into the open. The elephant safaris are usually organised in the central range (Kaziranga Range) of the national park. The western range or the Bagori Range has the highest concentration of rhinos and jeep safaris usually run in this part of the sanctuary.

A Sanctuary for Nature

Apart from the rhino, the sanctuary is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. About 70% of the world’s water buffaloes can be found here as well as more than 1,000 elephants. Other major attractions include the tiger, bison, swamp deer (barasingha), bear, langur, otter, jackal and the likes. Kaziranga is also a birdwatcher’s delight. You have a good chance of spotting different varieties of kites, eagles and buzzards. During winters, several migratory birds such as geese, ducks, red-crested pochards and northern shovellers can also be spotted.

Get closer to nature this year and plan your trip to Kaziranga with MakeMyTrip’s special packages. Book your flight and hotel for guaranteed savings!