Picture tall elephant grass gone gold in the morning light, a one-horned rhino grazing a stone's throw from the track, and mist lifting off the wetlands. That is Kaziranga in winter, and the season is open. The national park reopened for tourists on 3 October 2026 after its annual monsoon closure, and jeep safaris are running. Here are the safari timings, how the ranges work, how to get there, and a simple three-day plan for a trip between November and April.
Details below were checked on 22 October 2026. Park rules and fees can change during the season, so confirm with the range office before you go.
The season so far
Assam's Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah formally reopened the park at the Central Kohora Range on 3 October, according to a PTI report carried by ThePrint. Jeep safaris began the same day.
Elephant safaris were not running yet at the reopening. Estimates for their return ranged from within 10 to 15 days to within 20 days, subject to preparations, so check their status when you book.
Why go? ThePrint's report notes that 2,613 of Assam's 2,895 greater one-horned rhinos live in this park, along with 104 of the state's 229 tigers. Rhinos are the near-certain sighting. Tigers are a bonus you should not plan around.
Safari timings
The Divisional Forest Officer's notice for the 2026-27 season, reported by The Sentinel, sets jeep safari entry in two slots:
Morning: 7:30 am to 10:00 am
Afternoon: 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
These are entry windows, so aim for the start of each one. The Assam Tourism brochure notes that animals are most active in the mornings and early evenings.
Choosing a range
Kaziranga is divided into ranges, and each safari runs within one. Assam Tourism's official Kaziranga brochure says jeep safaris are possible in all three main ranges, including the Eastern Range from Agaratoli, while elephant rides run only from Mihimukh in the Central Range and from Bagori in the Western Range. A Forest Department guide must accompany every visit.
A practical approach for a first trip:
Central (Kohora): the most convenient, since many lodges are around Kohora. A good first safari.
Western (Bagori): pair it with Central so you see two different stretches of the park.
Eastern (Agaratoli): a longer drive from Kohora, worth it on a third safari if you have the time.
Doing two or three different ranges is better than repeating the same one. The habitat changes, and so does what you see.
Getting there
The same brochure gives the distances: Guwahati is 239 km away and Jorhat is 96 km, and both have flights from Delhi and Kolkata. The nearest railhead is Furkating Junction, 75 km away. State and private buses run from Guwahati and Jorhat to Kohora.
Flying into Jorhat makes for the shortest road transfer. If you fly into Guwahati instead, the road leg is 239 km, so plan to land early and keep that day for travel only.
A three-day Kaziranga plan
Day 1: arrive and settle in
Fly into Guwahati or Jorhat and drive to Kohora.
Check in, then visit the range office or your lodge desk to confirm safari bookings for the next two days.
Early dinner. Safaris start early.
Day 2: two ranges
Morning jeep safari in the Central Range.
Rest through midday.
Afternoon safari in the Western Range at Bagori.
Evening: the brochure lists cultural shows around Kaziranga, if one is on.
Day 3: east, then tea country
Morning safari in the Eastern Range from Agaratoli.
Late morning: a tea garden and tea factory visit, or a nearby Mishing or Karbi village, both suggested in the brochure.
Afternoon: drive out to Jorhat or Guwahati.
If you can add a fourth day, use it for a second morning in your favourite range. The same track rarely looks the same twice.
Costs: what we could and could not confirm
We could not find a current, official fee list for the 2026-27 season. The Assam Tourism brochure has a fee table, but it is undated, and the jeep rates quoted on travel sites vary widely. Fees depend on the range, the vehicle and whether you are an Indian or foreign visitor, with separate charges for guides and cameras. Ask for the full breakdown when you book, and confirm it at the range office.
Crowds and booking
Kaziranga is getting busier. The Assam Tribune reports a record 30,474 foreign visitors in the 2025-26 season up to 31 March, up from 17,693 the year before, and the minister hopes this season will beat it. December holidays and long weekends fill fastest. Book rooms and safaris early, and if you have flexibility, a weekday trip in late November or February is calmer.
Adding a day around Kaziranga
If you have more time, the brochure suggests a few easy add-ons. A tea garden and factory visit works well on a free afternoon. A Mishing or Karbi village visit adds a sense of the people who live around the park. And if you are flying out of Jorhat, the brochure mentions the Kaziranga Golf Resort there, an 18-hole course laid out inside a tea estate, with the old Burra Sahib's bungalow as its clubhouse.
What to pack
Pack layers. Winter mornings in an open jeep are cold, even when the afternoon is warm. Carry binoculars, keep your voice down, and let the grass do the talking.
