Kaziranga National Park is welcoming visitors once again after its annual monsoon closure. The park reopened for the 2026–27 tourism season on October 3, 2026, bringing jeep safaris back to selected areas of one of Assam’s best-known wildlife destinations. The reopening was formally marked at the Kohora Range, with the Central and Western ranges among the first to receive visitors. For travelers planning a Kaziranga safari in 2026, the start of the season does not mean that all activities and ranges have reopened at once. Instead, safari access is returning in phases, while elephant safaris are expected to resume later. From the ranges currently open for wildlife safari, here is what to know before planning a visit.
What Has Reopened At Kaziranga National Park?
Kaziranga National Park reopening in 2026 began with jeep safaris in the Central Range at Kohora and the Western Range at Bagori. From there, other areas are expected to reopen gradually as preparations for the new tourism season are completed. During the regular season, the Kaziranga safari ranges include Central, Western, Eastern, and Burapahar. Travelers who want to explore more than one part of the park can consider spending two to three days in the area rather than trying to fit everything into a single safari.
What Are The Kaziranga Jeep Safari Timings?
The Kaziranga jeep safari operates in morning and afternoon slots. For the reopening, the morning safari runs from 7:30 AM to 10 AM, while the afternoon safari runs from 1:30 PM to 3 PM. Since the park is reopening in phases, travelers should check which ranges are operating before completing their Kaziranga safari booking. Booking ahead can also help with planning, particularly as more visitors begin arriving during the Kaziranga safari season 2026–27.
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When Will Kaziranga Elephant Safaris Resume?
The Kaziranga elephant safari did not resume alongside the first jeep safaris. Instead, elephant safaris were expected to begin within 10 to 20 days, depending on the completion of preparations. Anyone traveling immediately after the opening date of Kaziranga National Park should therefore plan primarily around jeep safaris. Since operations are being gradually restored, it is worth confirming the latest availability as your visit date approaches.
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What Can You See During A Kaziranga Safari?
The greater one-horned rhinoceros remains the animal most closely associated with Kaziranga National Park, but there is considerably more wildlife to look out for. The park is also home to wild water buffalo, Asiatic elephants, swamp deer, tigers, birds, and smaller mammals. The landscape itself is part of the experience, with grasslands, wetlands, forests, and bodies of water spread across the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Observation towers at locations such as Sohola, Mihimukh, Kathpara, Foliamari, and Harmoti also provide different views of the surroundings. Wildlife sightings, however, can vary depending on weather, season, and animal movement.
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How Do You Reach Kaziranga National Park?
Kaziranga National Park is around 217 km from Guwahati by road, while Jorhat is approximately 95 km away and has the nearest airport mentioned in the information shared. Travelers can also reach the region by bus or taxi from Guwahati. For those arriving by train, Jakhalabandha is the nearest railhead, located around 50 km from Kohora. If you are fitting Kaziranga into a longer Assam trip, your route will depend on whether you are flying, taking the train, or stopping over by road.
Summing Up
With Kaziranga National Park 2026–27 now underway, travelers can once again plan jeep safaris through its grasslands and wetlands. However, the phased reopening makes it important to check which ranges and activities are operating before finalizing a visit. Confirm the latest Kaziranga safari timings, book your preferred safari in advance, and check the status of elephant safaris if they are part of your plans. As tourism gradually returns after the monsoon closure, Kaziranga is once again ready for another wildlife season.
