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Located in the heart
of Assam on the bank of the majestic Brahmaputra is the
Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga National Prak in Assam is
inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned
rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers,
elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.
Assam Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately
430-sq-kms with its swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass
making it the most ideal habitat for the one-horned Indian
Rhino. Due to countless poaching of this prehistoric survivor,
the Kaziranga National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary
in 1940.
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The Landscape
The land is quite level all over the park, which is mostly
covered by dense and tall elephant grass. These large
stretches of elephant grass are intermixed by small wetlands
left behind by the receding floodwaters of the river
Brahmaputra. The park, although quite flat in nature, is set
against a backdrop of hills like the Mikir and Karbi Anglong.
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The Flora
These picturesque wetlands have an abundant cover of water
lilies, water hyacinth and lotus. The vegetation that breaks
the monotony of these grasslands are large clumps of
semi-evergreen forest. The park is mostly covered with
elephant size grass, making it a perfect habitation for the
one-horned rhinos.
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The Fauna
Indian One-horned Rhinos (900), tigers (50), leopards (20),
elephants (700), barasingha or swamp deer (700), barking
deer (300), wild boar (700), para or hog deer (7000), Bison
(22), Sambar (400), leopard cats, otters(300), Hoolock
Gibbons, golden Langurs, Wild Buffaloes (600), Slow Loris,
pygmy hog, capped langur and bears (50).
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The Birds
Grey headed fishing eagle, Pallas' fishing eagle, Crested
serpent eagle, Swamp partridge, Red jungle fowl, Bengal
floricab, Bar headed goose, Whistling Teal, Pelicans, Rose
breasted Parakeets, Black necked Storks, Adjutant Storks,
Open Billed Storks, Egrets, Herons and White wired wood
ducks are among the major number of bird varieties visible
in the parks.
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The Reptiles
Rock Pythons and many more varieties of snakes, Monitor
Lizards and Turtles are abundant in the park
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Elephant Rides
The first and more preferred mode is on elephant's back.
Elephant rides allow you to get up very close to the wild
animals and make you feel totally one with nature due to the
lack of any sound of an engine. These rides are taken out
thrice in a day from Mihimukh, which is located 3 km from
Kohora. There are only around 5 elephants available for
touring purposes and it is definitely advisable to book your
ride well in advance. These advance bookings can be made at
the Bonani Lodge at Kohora.
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Jeep Safaris
Jeep Safaris are also available and can be booked at the
various lodges and through local operators.
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