Kaziranga Reopens for the 2026-27 Season With Jeep Safaris
Kaziranga National Park reopened on 3 October 2026 with jeep safaris running. Elephant safaris were due to follow within 10 to 20 days. Plan your visit.
Kaziranga National Park in Assam reopened for the 2026-27 tourist season on Saturday 3 October, and jeep safaris are already running. Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah marked the reopening at the Kohora Range.[1]
Elephant safaris did not restart on opening day. The minister said they should return within 10 to 20 days, once the preparations are finished.[1] If an elephant ride is the point of your trip, ask your operator whether it is running on your dates before you pay for a package.
What you can do in the park
Kaziranga is the home of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, and the park holds about two thirds of the world's population. It spreads over 858.98 square kilometres of grassland and wetland along the Brahmaputra and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a tiger reserve.[2]
There are four main safari ranges: Central (Mihimukh), Western (Bagori), Eastern (Agoratoli) and Burapahar. Jeep safaris run in all four. Elephant safaris run in the Central and Western ranges, and seats are limited, so reserve them in advance.[2]
Planning your visit
Allow two to three days to cover the four ranges. The best months are November to April, and the sightseeing is best from late February to early April.[2] Rhinos are the star, and you can also look for wild water buffalo, elephants, swamp deer and tigers. Sightings are never guaranteed, so go on more than one drive.
Early-morning and afternoon drives show very different light and animal activity. Book your jeep with a licensed operator or your lodge, and agree the entry, vehicle and guide charges and the departure point before you set off.
Away from the safaris, you can visit a tea garden, the Kaziranga National Orchid Park, or the waterfall at Kakochang in the nearby Karbi Hills.[2]
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] NDTV: Kaziranga National Park Reopens: Jeep Safaris Begin, Elephant Rides Coming Soon. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [2] Assam Tourism: Kaziranga National Park. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The park reopened on 3 October 2026, and jeep safaris are running.
They did not restart on opening day. The Assam Forest Minister said they should resume within 10 to 20 days, depending on preparations. Ask your operator for the current status.
It has four main ranges: Central (Mihimukh), Western (Bagori), Eastern (Agoratoli) and Burapahar. Jeep safaris run in all four; elephant safaris in the Central and Western ranges.
Assam Tourism says jeep safaris are easy to arrange without an advance reservation, while elephant safari seats are limited and should be reserved ahead. In busy weeks, book your jeep through your lodge or operator.
November to April, with the best sightseeing from late February to early April. Allow two to three days for the four main ranges.
