Assam is the largest northeastern state by population and ranks second in terms of territory in India’s northeast. Assam has an exceptionally rich biodiversity due to its favourable geographic location, varied topography, and great climatic conditions.
It has some of the most beautiful national parks. It is a treat for nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and naturalists in general.
Must-visit National Parks in Assam
Kaziranga National Park
Source : Pinterest
A UNESCO world heritage site, Kaziranga National Park stretches across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River. It is home to various vibrant flora and intriguing fauna. Among some of the popular trees that can be observed in the Kaziranga national park are the Apple, Indian Gooseberry, Cotton Tree, and Kubhi.
The world’s largest population of Indian Rhinoceros is found here. Hoolock Gibbons, Tigers, Leopards, Indian Elephants, Sloth Bears, and many more species of animals can also be observed. Additionally, a vast range of migratory birds from Central Asia can be spotted here.
Best time to visit
The best months to visit Kaziranga are November through February because of the mild and dry weather. Winter is also a good time for bird-watching.
Where to stay?
Accommodation choices in Kaziranga are plentiful and range from rest huts to five-star resorts, dorms, and tourist lodges. The Forest Department or the ITDC maintains the majority of them, while some are also privately held.
Some of the private resorts are
Grassland Resort (an eco-resort)
Wild Grass Lodge
The Infinity Resort
Jupuri Ghar
Diphlu River Lodge
Landmark Woods
Dhanashree Lodge
Bonhabi resort.
Things to do in Kaziranga National Park
Birdwatching
The Jeep can be used for the safari in Kaziranga. Following is a schedule for the safari:
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM- Morning Jeep Safari
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM- Afternoon Jeep Safari
How to reach Kaziranga National Park?
By Air: Guwahati International Airport and Jorhat Airport are the two airports closest to the park, each being 217 kilometres and 97 kilometres away, respectively. To get to Kaziranga National Park from there, take a taxi or bus.
By Train: Furkating, which is 75 kilometres away from Kaziranga Park, is the railroad station that is closest to the park. Numerous trains connect the station with the main railway stations. The two main railway stations of the Northeast railroads are in Guwahati and Jorhat. You can take a taxi, cab, or bus services to travel from the stations to the park via the roads.
By Road: Due to the location of Kaziranga Park’s main entrance in the little Kohora town along National Highway 37, Kohora is connected to all of Assam’s major cities by either state-run buses or privately operated buses and minibuses. Kohora is connected to other adjacent small towns by local transportation services.
Manas National Park
Source : Pinterest
Numerous endangered species, including the tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros, and Indian elephant, can be found in the Manas sanctuary. Clouded leopards, Himalayan bears, wild boars, swamp deer, and hog deer are among the other animals that are frequently sighted.
With its remarkable wealth of animals and distinctive combination of stunning scenery, it is a popular World Heritage Site. Manas National Park is located 176 kilometres from Guwahati. The closest airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. The closest train station to the park is Barpeta Road Station, which is located 40 kilometres away.
Best time to visit
The months of November through April are the best time to visit Manas National Park.
Where to stay?
The following are some locations where you can get accommodation close to Manas National Park:
Musa Jungle Retreat
The Sikhiri Cottages
Florican Cottage
Manas View Jungle Resort
Adoroni Guest House
Birina Resort
Things to do in Manas National Park
Birdwatching
River rafting
You can enjoy a Jeep safari and an elephant safari at Manas National Park.
Elephant safari: 6:30 – 7:00 AM
Jeep Safari: Morning (from 9:00 AM)
Afternoon (from 2:00 PM)
How to reach Manas National Park?
By Air: The closest airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. Manas national park is about 145 kilometres away from this airport. Travelling between Guwahati and other regions of the nation is convenient via air. To get to the park, take a taxi from the airport.
By Train: Guwahati is the nearest main railroad station; however, you can also catch another train from there to Barpeta Road Railway Station, which is located some 44 kilometres away. You can easily get a taxi to the park from Barpeta Road Railway Station.
By Road: From Guwahati (176 km), Kaziranga (403 km), Darjeeling (466 km), Shillong (287 km), and Siliguri (386 km), Manas is reachable by road. You can travel to Manas National Park from Barpeta or any other town via an auto, a bus, or a taxi.
Dibru – Saikhowa National Park
Source : Pinterest
It is a National Park and Biosphere Reserve in the Tinsukia district, covering an area of approximately 340 sq. km. The park was first established to protect the habitat of the endangered white-winged wood duck, but it is now home to a variety of animals, including water buffalo, sea dolphins, black-breasted parrotbills, tigers, and capped langurs.
The migratory birds are one of this park’s major attractions. The meeting of eight separate rivers, which supply fertile soil full of nutrients, results in diverse and extensive flora and fauna. Additionally, it is regarded as the second-largest river island national park in the entire globe. The bright-coloured horses called “Feral Horses” can often be seen on Churkey Sapori, a river island north of the Saikhowa region of the Park.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Dibru – Saikhowa National Park is from November to April.
Where to stay?
The following are some locations where you can get accommodation near Dibru – Saikhowa National Park
Blue Star Hotel
Oasis Hotel
Jonaki Road
Hotel Luit
Hotel Green View
Kanyapur Hotel
Things to do in Dibru – Saikhowa National Park
Cruising and spending night in houseboats
Tribal Village Visit
Trekking
Boat Safari
How to reach Dibru – Saikhowa National Park?
By Air: The closest airport, located around 40 kilometres from Tinsukia town, is Mohanbari (Dibrugarh). Several flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata fly there. You can take a taxi to get to the Dibru Saikhowa National Park from the airport.
By Train: Travelling by rail is one of the best ways to get to Tinsukia town. You can choose Rajdhani trains from Delhi, which travel along the Dibrugarh route. The Dibrugarh railway station is situated in the centre of the city. Taxis and auto-rickshaws may be easily found outside the railway station.
By Road: Bus service is available to the 55 km away town of Tinsukia, which is well connected to Dibrugarh via NH37. Guwahati and Dibru Saikhowa National Park are located at a distance of almost 500 kilometres.
Nameri National Park
Source : Pinterest
Nameri National Park is well known for its tigers, elephants, exotic bird and fish species, and the Jia Bharali River. A variety of plants and animals can be found at Nameri. Here is where you will find Deo Hanh, the most well-known white-winged wood duck. Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Elephant, Wild Pigs, Barking Deer, Hispid hare, Slow Loris, Capped Langur, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Indian Cobra, King Cobra, Pit Viper, Assam Roofed Turtle, Indian Softshell Turtle, Indian Flap Shell Turtle are some of the animals found here.
This national park is a paradise for bird lovers, it is home to many different species of birds, including the Wreathed Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill, Black Stork, Great Pied Hornbill, Ibisbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eaters, Babblers, Longo billed vulture, Black bellied Tern, Great Pied Hornbill, and Plovers, to name a few.
Best time to visit
The months of November through April are the best for visiting Nameri National Park.
Where to stay?
The following are some locations where you can get accommodation near Nameri National Park
Nameri Baligara Camp
Nameri Eco Camp
White Winged Camp
Jia Bhorelli Wild Resort
Lalimou Camp
Wild Mahseer
Things to do in Nameri National Park
River rafting
Trekking
Elephant ride
Birdwatching
How to reach Nameri National Park?
By Air: The Tezpur Airport is about 30 kilometres from Nameri National Park and is the closest airport. To go to Nameri, one can take a taxi from the airport.
By Train: Rangapara, which is 29 kilometres from Nameri National Park, has the closest railway station. To go to Nameri from Rangapara, you can take a bus or a taxi.
By Road: There are frequent bus services that run to and from Nameri National Park. They run on a daily basis from locations like Guwahati, Tawang, Dibrugarh, etc., day or night. You can also take shared taxis or cabs to reach there.
Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONPTR)
Source : Pinterest
Also known as the Little Kaziranga, the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park is the official name of the National Park. In 1985, the forest was designated as a wildlife sanctuary, and in 1999, it became a national park. A few of the animals that may be found here include the Rhinoceros, Tiger, Maljuria Elephants, Hog Deer, Wild Pig, Civet Cat, Porcupine, Gangetic Dolphin, Indian Rock Python, Black Krait, King Cobra, Cobra, and Monitor Lizard. Numerous bird species have been identified so far, including the Spot-Billed Pelican, White Pelican, Greater Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Brahminy Duck, Pintail Duck, etc.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve is from November to April.
Where to stay?
The following are some locations where you can get to stay near the Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve
Green Planet Resort Orang
Sol Village Kaziranga
Samriddhi Guest House
Dream Lodge
Things to do in Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve
Birdwatching
Elephant Safari
River Cruise
Trekking at Merak-Sakteng
How to reach Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve?
By Air: The Orang National Park is located around 60 kilometres from the nearest airport, which is located in Tezpur. The airport is connected to the national park by buses and taxis.
By Train: Saloni, which is 55 kilometres away from the Orang National Park, is home to the closest train station. From the train station, you can take taxis to the national park.
By Road: Road connectivity between nearby towns and cities with the Orang National Park is quite good. Numerous buses often travel back and forth from nearby towns to the national park.
Dehing Patkai National Park
Source : Pinterest
The WWII cemeteries, Stillwell Road, Digboi’s oldest refinery, and Lido’s “open cast” coal mining are all close to Dehing Patkai National Park. The Park is a portion of the Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve. Chinese pangolins, Flying foxes, Assamese macaques, Capped langurs, Hoolock gibbons, Himalayan black bears, Hog-badgers, Leopard cats, Fishing cats, Marbled cats, Clouded leopards, Tigers, Wild pigs, Sambars, Barking deer, Gaurs, Porcupines, Rock pythons, King cobras, Asian leaf turtles, and many other animals can be seen.
White Winged Wood Ducks, White-backed Vultures, Slender-billed Vultures, Khaleej Pheasants, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Rufous necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Green Imperial Pigeon, Purple wood or Pale capped Pigeon, etc. are just a few of the birds that can be spotted.
Best time to visit
November to April is the best time to visit Dehing Patkai National Park.
Where to stay?
Here are a few places where you can find lodging close to Dehing Patkai National Park:
Namdang House
Singpho Eco Lodge
Hotel Royal Treat
The Heritage
Things to do in Dehing Patkai National Park
Boating
Birdwatching
How to reach Dehing Patkai National Park?
By Air: Dehing Patkai may be reached from Dibrugarh Airport. One can either take a bus to Naharkatiya, where they can then take a shared van to Jeypore Chariali, or they can hire a cab for one-way to Jeypore.
By Train: You can rent a car from Naharkatiya, the nearest train station, which is around 8 kilometres from the national park.
By Road: You can take direct cabs to the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary from either Tinsukia (about 45 km away) or Dibrugarh.
Raimona National Park
Source : Pinterest
Discover the tranquil beauty of nature by getting lost in Raimona’s foothills, which are abundant in biodiversity. Gee’s golden langur, rare endemic butterflies, and numerous rare species, including the majestic Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, gaur, and chital, can all be found in the national park, along with many elephant herds and captivating folktales. The transboundary movement of elephants across West Bengal, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh depend on this hotspot.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Raimona National Park is from November to April.
Where to stay?
The following locations offer accommodation close to Raimona National Park.
Gorumara National Park
Musa Jungle Retreat
Aranya Tourist Lodge
Things to do in Raimona National Park
Jeep Safari
Witness traditional practices of agriculture farming and traditional farming
Witness handicrafts making and handloom weaving
How to reach Raimona National Park?
By Air: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, located in Guwahati, is the nearest airport to Raimora National Park. A taxi or cab can be reserved and taken directly to Raimona National Park.
By Train: The Kokrajhar Railway Station is the one closest to Raimona National Park. The National Park is almost 53 kilometres away from Kakrojhar.
By Road: To go to Raimona National Park, one can travel from Rangpur (177.6 km), Siliguri (239 km), or Guwahati (201.1 km). Buses and taxis are both quite pleasant modes of local transportation.
FAQs
How many National Parks are in Assam?
There are seven national parks in Assam.
Which is the biggest national park in Assam?
Manas National Park is the biggest national park in Assam.