1 Week In Rhino Country - Visit Nameri and Kaziranga for 250 Species

For those dreaming of an easy wildlife holiday in Northeast India, this tour to Kaziranga and Nameri National Parks is perfect. Not only do you get the chance to explore the rich flora and fauna, but also great photographic opportunities, accommodation in some of the best eco-lodges of the region, and scenic road journeys.

Kaziranga National Park was established in order to protect the population of Indian Rhinoceros. A conservation success story, Kaziranga is now home to the largest population of Indian Rhinoceros, hosting two-thirds of the world’s population of this threatened species. It is also home to a high density of tigers, as well as other mammals such as Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, and many more. Kaziranga is also home to many bird species, including the Swamp Francolin, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, and many more. 

Nameri National Park was established in 1985. Nameri hosts a large variety of animal species including the Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Sambar, Dhole, Muntjac, Gaur, and Sloth Bear. The park is an excellent elephant country and is considered an important elephant corridor. 

With over 300 species of birds, Nameri is a birder’s paradise, the star species being the White-winged Duck, Assam’s state bird. Other species include Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Black Stork, Ibisbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, many babbler species, plovers, and many other birds.

My adventure in Indian Rhino country

I’ve always wanted to go bird watching in Assam, but the variety and skill required to bird here have always intimidated me. However, I knew I’d have to take the leap sometime. After consulting a few more experienced birders, I decided to make my first trip there to Kaziranga National Park and Nameri National Park.

Most of my first day here went in traveling, flying from Mumbai to Kolkata to Guwahati, and then, a drive to Kaziranga.

I spent the next three days with many a Kaziranga National Park safari, exploring the rich mammal and birdlife of this park. With well-planned safaris and beautiful wildlife lodges, it’s no surprise that this place is the most popular Assam wildlife sanctuary. A wildlife safari in Kaziranga introduced me to the giants of the park - Asian Elephant, Water Buffalo, and, of course, the Indian Rhinoceros, as well as some quick glimpses of Tigers through the tall grass. Birding here is also superb, with birds like Swamp Francolin, Spot-billed Pelican, Greater Adjutant, Pallas's Fish Eagle and Blue-naped Pitta, and more making up the avifauna of the park.

After getting my heart’s fill of Kaziranga, I then traveled to Nameri. Although birding in Nameri was to be dominated by two-star species for me, White-winged Duck and Wreathed Hornbill, I, as always, planned to fully enjoy all the winged wonders this place had to offer, lifer or not.

Needless to say, my two days in Nameri were amazing! Apart from my two prized targets, I also got another beautiful lifer here - the shy Green Cochoa. An afternoon river ride along the river was relaxing and truth be told, I had a hard time keeping an eye out for wildlife and not giving in to the temptation of falling asleep.

So it was, as usual, that after a week of Assamese wildlife, I had to get back to the daily grind, with some new lifers in my list, and some beautiful photos to remember this trip by.


Please Note, that the Acronyms in Bird Species
R stands for Resident Birds
S stands for Summer
W stands for Winter