Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. The swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass makes the Kaziranga National Park Assam the ideal habitat for the Indian One-Horned Rhinos. Due to countless poaching of this prehistoric survivor, the Kaziranga National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1940. It is one of the significant natural habitat for in situ conservation of biological biodiversity of universal value. The values and criteria made Kaziranga National Park to get inscribed in the World Heritage Site List 1985.

Kaziranga is one of the few wild breeding areas outside Africa for multiple species of large cats, such as Indian Tigers and Leopards. Kaziranga was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006

and has the highest density of tigers in the world (one per five km²), with a population of 86, as per the 2000 census. Other felids include the Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, and Leopard Cats. Small mammals include the rare Hispid Hare, Indian Gray Mongoose, Small Indian Mongooses, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civets, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear, Chinese Pangolin, Indian Pangolins, Hog Badger, Chinese Ferret Badgers, and Particolored flying squirrels.

Kaziranga has been identified by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area. It is home to a variety of migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds. Birds such as the Lesser White-fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer's Pochard duck and Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Black-necked Stork, and Asian Openbill stork migrate from Central Asia to the park during winter.

Observing the wildlife, including birding, is the main visitor activity in and around the park. Guided tours by elephant or Jeep are available. Observation towers are situated at Sohola, Mihimukh, Kathpara, Foliamari, and Harmoti for wildlife viewing. The park remains closed for visitors from mid-April to mid-October due to monsoon rains. Four tourist lodges at Kohora and three tourist lodges inside the park are maintained by the Department of Environment and Forests, Government of Assam.
Jeep hiring charges
1. Elephant Riding Point {Kohora Range: Rs. 250.00; Bagori Range: Rs. 350.00}
2. Central Range: Rs. 600.00
3. Western Range: Rs. 650.00
4. Eastern Range: Rs . 1000.00
5. Panbari Reserve Forest: Rs. 500.00
6. Burapahar Range: Rs. 1500.00

How to get there:
Kaziranga is 217 kms from Guwahati and 96 km from Jorhat by road. The nearest air port is Rowraia (Jorhat). The nearest rail head is Farkating.Tourist can fly to Jorhat or can go by car and bus from Guwahati.
Best time to visit:
November to April

Source and Courtesy : http://www.assam-tourism.com/kaziranga_national_park.htm