bagaria.me

This atlas is in beta. I am still checking facts, ranges, and species lists, so some of it may be wrong or incomplete. It is here early so these places get seen. If you spot an error, write to me.

Sunset through mist over the Kaziranga floodplain, the sun a soft disc above silhouetted treesAn egret behind backlit grass in river mist at dawn, a slow-shutter study, KazirangaA hoolock gibbon silhouetted in a lattice of bare branches against a white sky, KazirangaA greater one-horned rhino silhouetted against a misty orange dawn at a waterhole, KazirangaA greater one-horned rhino standing in tall, golden backlit grass, KazirangaAn oriental pied hornbill feeding on yellow fruit near the Kohora range, KazirangaA wild Asian elephant grazing in tall grassland, Kaziranga
7 photographs from here. Open any frame for the full picture and its capture details.
  • National Park
  • UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site
  • Photographed here

Kaziranga National Park

Beta

A UNESCO-listed floodplain park on the Brahmaputra holding the world's largest population of one-horned rhino.

Why this place matters

A UNESCO-listed floodplain national park on the Brahmaputra, holding the world's largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros and globally important populations of elephant, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and waterbirds.

The wildlife

  • Indian One-horned RhinocerosRhinoceros unicornis
    VUVulnerable

    Holds the world's largest population of the species, in tall grassland and marsh habitat.

  • Asian ElephantElephas maximus
    ENEndangered

    Large herds use grasslands and forested high ground, especially in drier months.

  • TigerPanthera tigris tigris
    ENEndangered

    High-density tiger population in a rhino and buffalo prey system, though sightings can be hard in tall grass.

  • Wild Water BuffaloBubalus arnee
    ENEndangered

    A globally important population occupying wet grasslands and beels.

  • Swamp DeerRucervus duvaucelii
    VUVulnerable

    The eastern barasingha race, associated with marshy grasslands.

The wider field list, with current IUCN Red List status.

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Notable birds include Greater Adjutant, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Bengal Florican and Bar-headed Goose. Reptiles include Gharial, Mugger and Indian Rock Python.

From the field

Short clips recorded on my visits here.

The rhino recoveryFrom about a dozen animals in 1905 to more than 2,600 at the 2022 count. That recovery is the whole story of this floodplain.

Plan your visit

Post-monsoon and winter bring receding floodwaters, grazing rhinos and elephants on open grasslands, and large concentrations of migratory waterfowl and raptors.

Zones
Kohora (Central), Bagori (Western), Agaratoli (Eastern) and Burapahar
Safari
jeep (and limited elephant-back rides as per current regulations)
Typical sightings
Rhinos, elephants and wild buffalo on grasslands and beels, hog deer and swamp deer, and numerous waterbirds and raptors.
Light and terrain
Open floodplains and beels provide wide, backdropped views; tall grass can obscure animals at certain times of year, favouring elevated viewpoints.
Hides
No public hides; viewing from authorised vehicles and watch towers in select locations.
Good to know
Range-specific vehicle quotas and timings; elephant safaris with limited seats; monsoon closures extended when flooding persists.