One of the richest biodiversity spheres, Assam is home to many natural flora and fauna. With 7 total National Parks in Assam, one can enjoy a plethora of varied flora and fauna. The huge biodiversity is surrounded by extensive tea plantations. Lush greenery, the grasslands, tropical and deciduous forests, and the varied fauna that you will find in Assam are very rare. You will not find this variety of flora and fauna anywhere. This unique variety of plant and animal species has fetched Assam a reputed and respectable position. Moreover, not just National Parks, there are a total of 17 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam as well. The Assam national park and wildlife sanctuaries are a must visit for people who love nature and natural elements.
Furthermore, out of the 7 National Parks, Kaziranga National Park and the Manas National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Project Tiger Reserve. These parks have successfully conserved some of the endangered species. This article is all about the Assam National Park list. Whenever you are in Assam you must spend some time amidst the greenery of Assam National Parks. I have added all the necessary information about the most popular National Parks in Assam that you should visit at least once. Keep on reading this article and enrich yourself with the information regarding these national parks.
7 National Parks in Assam
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve Best time to visit: November to April
How to reach:-
The nearest airport to reach here is Rowraiah in Jorhat. It is 97 km away. Guwahati Airport is 239 km away. You can also drive from nearby cities. The distances are 21 km from Bokakhat, 73 km from Golaghat, 89 km from Jorhat, 96 km from Nagaon, 219 km from Guwahati.
About:-
The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is one such destination in Assam that everyone should visit. This largest national park in Assam is also a name in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list along with being an Important Bird Area (IBA). What made this national park more famous is the successful conservation of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. From a dwindling number which was almost on the verge of extinction, now they have more than 3000 of them in this national park. This is the flagship species in the national park and it draws the most number of visitors here.
Furthermore, along with this, the Kaziranga National Park is also a Tiger Reserve. It has the highest population of tigers in a protected area in the whole world. That’s the same with Swamp Deers, Indian Elephants and Asiatic Wild Water Buffaloes. Previously this was the Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1974 this was declared as a national park. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. First Kaziranga became a Reserve Forest in 1905 and in the year 2005 it celebrated its 100 glorious years of conservation. This biggest national park in Assam should be included in your list of must visit places whenever you are going to visit Assam.
Special attractions:-
Other than the one horned rhinos, you can see a variety of other animals here. These are Fishing Cat, Leopard, Small Indian Civet, Sambar, Barking Deer, Gaur, Hoolock Gibbon, Assamese Macaque, Capped Langur, Sloth Bear, Gangetic Dolphin etc. Also there are many near threatened and globally threatened species of birds here like Hornbills, Baza, Osprey, Bengal Florican etc.
Where to stay near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve:
You will get many lodges under Assam Tourism Department as well as private lodges nearby. Some of the well known ones are Bonshree Lodge, G. L Lodge, Dolphin Lodge, Bonani Lodge, Kaziranga Lodge, Wildgrass Resort, Kunjaban Lodge, Dhansiri Lodge, Ma Kamala Resort etc.
Read More: KAMAKHYA TEMPLE TIMINGS, STORY, HOW TO REACH, PHOTOS
Manas National Park
Best time to visit Manas National Park: November to April
How to reach:-
Guwahati Airport is 145 km away from the park. Barpeta Railway Station is only 20 kms away. You can also drive through nearby cities as well. The distances are 66 km from Nalbari, 112 km from Kokrajhar, 137 km from Guwahati and 274 km from Naogaon.
About:-
Originally Manas was a game reserve. In 1974 it became a Tiger Reserve. Later in 1985 it found its name in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Finally in 1990 Manas was declared as a National Park. With an extensive area of 500 sq km this park is home to many endangered species which enjoys the highest level of protection under the Wildlife Protection Act. Moreover you can see almost 500 species of bird here as well.
Special attractions:-
Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, Hispid Hare, Jungle Cat, Pygmy Hog, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civet, Golden Langur, Fishing Cat, Toddy Cat, Assamese Macaque, Clouded Leopard, Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Swamp Deer, Common Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Water Buffalo, Wild Pigs are some of the special attractions here.
Furthermore this National Park is also rich in bird species. Bengal Florican, White Rumped Vulture, Slender Billed Vulture, White Bellied Heron, King Vulture are some of the endangered species found here. Other than that you will also find Storks, Ibis, Hornbills, Pelicans, and Eagles here. Almost 200 butterflies’ species are also found here. Not only that, this park has recorded the presence of almost 80 species of fishes here.
Where to stay near Manas National Park:
The Bansbari Lodge, Musa Jungle Retreat, Sikhri Lodge, Birina Lodge, Smiling Tusker, Manas Motel Tourist Lodge, Manas View Jungle Resort, Prakriti Neerh etc are some of the places for accommodation that you can check out.
Read More: FESTIVALS OF ASSAM | ASSAM FESTIVALS
Dibru Saikhowa National Park
Best time to visit Dibru Saikhowa National Park: November to April is the best
How to reach:-
Mohanbari Dibrugarh Airport is the closest Airport to reach this park. It is only 40 km away. The distance from Guwahati is 500 km. You can also drive through NH 37 to reach Tinsukia. Nearest town is Saikhowaghat.
About:-
In the Tinsukia District this national park spreads across an area of 340 sq km. This National Park is most popular for the bird species here. It is an identified Important Bird Area (IBA) with more than 380 species of birds. This national park is also popular for its population of Asiatic water Buffaloes, Feral Horses, Indian Tigers and Gibbons. The area of this national park is crossed by the Dibru River and the Brahmaputra River. Surrounded by the Arunachal Hills in North and The Patkai Hills in South this national park is also the largest salix swamp forest in the whole Northeast India.
Even though this national park is mostly known for its variety of fauna species, it is also quite popular for its orchids and birds. A number of migratory birds come and flock here during the winters. For that reason this park is a great site for the birdwatchers as well. One of the most attractive points of this national park is that it is the only national park in India that offers a river cruise service for the visitors. People can enjoy a cruise ride while observing the varied flora and fauna here. Along with that there are various small and big boats as well that ply on the waters of Dibru River and the visitors can enjoy the journey of this national park.
Special attractions:-
The bird species like Black Necked Stork, Greater Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Great Pied Hornbill, Greater Crested Grebe, Open Bill Stork, Greylag Goose, Griffon Vulture, Pale Capped Pigeon, Marsh Babbler, Black Breasted Parrotbill, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, White Winged Wood Duck, Jerdon’s Pigeon and more. Furthermore, you will find animals like Capped Langur, Tiger, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Bears, Small Indian Civet, Assameses Macquau, Wild Pigs, Squirrels, Slow Loris, Gangetic Dolphin, Sambar, Water Buffalo, Barking Deer, Feral horses, Hoolock Gibbon etc.
Where to stay near Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
Hotel Highway, Hotel Jyoti, Hotel Urmila, Hotel President, Banashree Eco Camp, Hotel Indralok etc are some of the popular places to stay nearby that you can check out.
Read More: TEMPLES OF ASSAM | ASSAM FAMOUS TEMPLES
Dehing Patkai National Park
Best time to visit Dehing Patkai National Park: September to March
How to reach:-
The Dibrugarh Airport is 80 km away from this park. If you want you can also drive through the nearby towns of Duliajan, Margherita and Digboi.
About:-
Previously the Dehing Patkai was a Wildlife Sanctuary. Later in 2021 this was upgraded to Dehing Patkai National Park. This is the one and only rainforest in India. The area is huge, stretching up to 575 sq km. This National Park also comes under the Project Elephant and is an Elephant Reserve as well.
Special attractions:-
Slow Loris, Chinese Pangolin, Capped Langur, Flying Fox, Assamese Macaque, Himalayan Black Bear, Stump Tailed Macaque, Hoolock Gibbon, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Clouded Leopard, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Pig Tailed Macaque, Barking deer, Serom, Gaur, Rhesus Macaque are some of the mammals you can spot. Along with that there are variety of bird species here that includes White Winged Wood, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Slender Billed Vulture, White Checked Hill Patridge, Rufous Necked Hornbill, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Great Pied Hornbill, Green Imperial Pigeon, Purple Wood, White Backed Vulture, Black Browed Leaf Warbler etc. Reptiles like Asian Leaf Turtle, King Cobra, Monitor Lizard, and Rock Python are housed here as well.
Where to stay near Dehing Patkai National Park:
You can surely check out the Forest Inspection Bungalow in Digboi. Other than that Central Transit Accommodation, Digboi Tourist Lodge cum Restaurant are good options for accommodations.
Read More: TRADITIONAL DRESS OF ASSAM | ASSAM TRADITIONAL DRESS
Nameri National Park
Best time to visit Nameri National Park: November to April is ideal
How to reach:-
Salonibari Airport in Tezpur is the nearest airport which is around 34 km from the park. If you wish to travel by road then Tezpur is 34 km away, Nowgong is 110 km away, Kaziranga is 125 km away, Jorhat is 215 km away.
About:-
Nameri National Park is the core area of the Nameri Tiger Reserve. The area spreads across 344 sq km. This national park is an important conservation area for species like Indian Tigers, Clouded Leopards, Capped Langurs etc. This one is also an important bird area that preserves many bird species. Furthermore, this national park is also famous for wildlife trekking. On the way you can spot various species of flora and fauna here. Jia Bhoroli River flows across this area and you can enjoy river rafting as well. Even though there are grasslands present here as well but mostly this area is known for the evergreen deciduous trees.
Special attractions:-
A variety of birds, mammals and reptiles are housed in this National Park. Among the birds you can spot Palla’s Fish Eagle, White Winged Wood Duck, White Rumped Vulture, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Longo Billed Vulture, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous Necked Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill etc. Among mammals you can spot Tiger, Elephant, Clouded Leopard, Leopard, Wild Pigs, Gaur, Barking Deer, Hispid Hare, Slow Loris, Dhole, Capped Langur, Sloth Bear, Binturong, Burmese Ferret Badger etc. Furthermore this national park also houses reptiles like Indian Softshell Turtle, Assam Roofed Turtle, Keeled Box Turtle, Indian Flap Shell Turtle, Southeast Asian Leaf Turtle, Common Blind Snake, Indian Cobra, Pit Viper, Monitor Lizard, Myanmarese Python and more.
Where to stay near Nameri National Park:
Oasis Hotel, Blue Star Hotel, Hotel Green View, Hotel Luit are some of the well known hotels you can check out.
Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve
Best time to visit Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve: November to April
How to reach:-
Salonibari in Tezpur is the nearest Airport which is almost 80 km away from this park. Distance of Guwahati Airport is about 150 km.
About:-
Orang National Park was the oldest game reserve in the state. Also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, the area of this park is 79 sq km. The topography of this national park with grasslands, streams and marshes resembles the Kaziranga National Park. Furthermore, this national park is also known for the one horned Indian Rhino and The Royal Bengal Tigers. Originally Orang was a wildlife sanctuary but later in 1999 it was declared a National Park.
Special attractions:-
You can see Tigers, Rhinos, Hog Deer, Civet Cat, Maljuria Elephants, Wild Pig, Gangetic Dolphin and many other mammals here. Along with that there are almost 222 species of bird found here including Lesser Adjutant Stork, Pintail Duck, Spot Billed Pelican, Bengal Florican, Brahminy Duck etc. Among reptiles Indian Rock Python, King Cobra, Black Krait, Cobra, Monitor Lizard are housed here. You can also see seven species of tortoises and turtles here.
Where to stay near Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve:
You can check out the Satsimalu Rest House and Silbori Rest House. Another good option for staying here is the forest dormitory that can accommodate around 40 people at the same time. Bedding and food is not available though.
Raimona National Park
Best time to visit Raimona National Park: September to March
About:-
The Raimona National Park covers an area of 422 sq km and is the home to the last of the endangered species Golden Langurs. In 2021 Raimona was declared as a national park. This national park houses a varied flora and fauna. It shares the boundary with the Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve.
Special attractions:-
Bengal Tigers, Clouded Leopards, Asian Elephants, Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Gaur, Spotted Deer are housed here. Alongside almost more than 170 bird species and 150 species of butterflies are found here. Another important thing about this national park is the huge variety of plants and orchids here that goes up to a number of more than 380 species.
The National Parks in Assam have so much to offer to every person who visits them. You will be in awe with how beautifully these parks are maintained. Undoubtedly these Assam National Parks are perfect for people who love to get engrossed into nature. You will get to learn so much and know about so many species. A visit to these parks will be enriching to your soul as well as your heart. As soon as you enter any National Park in Assam you would know why they are so popular among visitors.
Moreover you will enjoy your time roaming around, or exploring the flora or fauna or indulging in Jeep Safaris and Forest Safaris. So whenever you are in Assam make sure you include these national parks in your itinerary. Otherwise you would miss out on really interesting things. Do let me know if this article was helpful for you. Also don’t forget to share if you have ever visited Assam or if you have ever visited any of these National Parks. I would love to know.
