Assam is renowned worldwide for two things; tea and the one-horned rhinoceros, which are found in large numbers at Kaziranga National park. However, the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is also of substantial importance, offering the enjoyment of Wildlife and Scenic beauty both.
Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park is a world renowned wildlife heritage site. It is the largest undisturbed representative area of Brahmaputra, its flood plains, grasslands and forests. Reputed to be a mini Africa in the Indian sub-continent, the Park has more than 70% of the world’s one-horned rhinos, 70% of the world population of the Eastern Swamp Deer (Cervus duvuaceli ranjitsinhii) and 75% of the world’s wild Asiatic water buffalo, with a significant number of the Asian Elephant.Kaziranga National Park lies partly in Golaghat District and partly in Nagaon District of Assam. It is the oldest park in Assam, covering an area of 430 Sq km along the river Brahmaputra on the North and the Karbi Anglong hills on the South. The National Highway 37 passes through the park area and tea estates, hemmed by table-top tea bushes. One can even see the rhinos and wild elephants straying near the highway.
Kaziranga National Park a world heritage site is immensely famous for the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros; the other animals that attract the attention of the visitors are: Indian Elephants, Tigers, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Leopard, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons etc.
Kaziranga National Park is also a bird watching paradise in addition. The prominent bird species residing here are the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon etc. A large number of migratory birds which inhabit the lakes and marshy areas in the park during the winter include Greylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck, Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller.
How to Reach
By Air :
The nearest airport near Kaziranga is situated at Guwahati at a distance of 217-km. Another airport is located at Jorhat, which is 97-km from Kaziranga.
By Rail :
The closest railway station is Furkating; 75-km away from Kaziranga National Park. There are direct trains from Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum to Guwahati. Jorhat and Guwahati are well connected by road with all the neighbouring states- West Bengal, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
By Road :
The main entrance to Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary is at Kohora on the NH-37. The private buses connect the national park to the major cities like Guwahati, Tezpur and Upper Assam. Some buses also provide for a certain quota for the tourists willing to visit Kaziranga. From Jorhat and Guwahati, one can hire taxis and buses for Kaziranga.
Best Season to Visit:
Though the park is open from November to April, the best period of time to visit Kaziranga is between January and April. Tourists can take rides on elephants to move around the park or cruise in a boat on the Brahmaputra along the park.
Manas National Park, Assam
Manas National Park is situated in Kamrup-Golapara district, on the foothills of the Himalayas south east of river Manas along the Assam- Bhutan border. Manas known for its Project Tigers, Rhinos & Elephants, and is Assam's one of the two Tiger projects. The scenic beauty and rare wealth of wildlife combine with this unique world heritage site to offer one of the most enthralling experiences of the Wildlife Tours.Manas National Park is famous for its majestic tigers and the golden leaf monkey. Named after the Manas river, which separates Bhutan from India, the park has dense deciduous forests spread over an area of 2840 sq km which provide a sanctuary to twenty highly endangered species of birds and animals, including the hispid hare, pygmy hog and the red panda which can be seen occasionally at higher altitudes. The sanctuary is situated in both India and Bhutan, the two parks, both named Manas, being contiguous.
Best Season to Visit :
The best time to visit the Manas Wildlife sanctuary is from November to April, with the best period being January to April.
How to Reach :
The nearest airport is the Guwahati airport, a distance of 176 km and about 6 hours away from it, while the nearest railway station is Barpeta Road, about 40 km from the sanctuary.
