Kaziranga Safari Booking 2026: Jeep and Elephant Safari Guide
Kaziranga safari booking for the 2026–27 season covers jeep safaris in four tourist ranges and early-morning elephant safaris, usually bookable online through the Assam government or at the range offices. The park normally reopens in October, elephant safaris usually start around 1 November, and the season runs until about late May. A private jeep for Indian visitors typically costs a few thousand rupees per safari, shared by up to six people.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve sits on the south bank of the Brahmaputra in Assam. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds the world’s largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros. As a result, safari slots fill quickly in winter, so early planning pays off.
Key takeaways
- The four tourist ranges are Central (Kohora), Western (Bagori), Eastern (Agaratoli) and Burapahar (Ghorakati).
- Jeep safaris run in a morning and an afternoon slot; elephant safaris run only at dawn.
- Assam’s Forest Minister announced online booking with advance payment for jeep and elephant safaris in August 2026.
- The 2025–26 season drew about 4.68 lakh visitors, including a record 30,474 foreigners.
- In 2026 the park closed for the monsoon on 29 May, and officials planned an October 2026 reopening.
Kaziranga safari booking at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Park | Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam |
| Tourist ranges | Kohora, Bagori, Agaratoli, Burapahar |
| Safari types | Jeep (Gypsy) safari, elephant safari |
| Season | Usually October to late May |
| Elephant safari season | Usually from about 1 November |
| Jeep slots | Morning (from about 7 am) and afternoon (from about 1:30 pm) |
| Elephant slots | Dawn, roughly 5:30 am to 7 am |
| Booking channels | Online (Assam government), range offices, hotels, registered operators |
| Nearest airports | Jorhat (about 105 km), Guwahati (about 250 km) |
| Permit needed | No ILP needed for Assam |
How Kaziranga safari booking works in 2026
For years, most visitors booked jeeps through hotels or local operators, who then arranged entry at the range gate. In August 2026, however, Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said visitors can now book jeep and elephant safari slots online with advance payment. The Forest Department is building the digital platform for this system.
Meanwhile, Assam’s Sewa Setu citizen portal already lists an “Online Safari Booking Kaziranga National Park” service. The same portal carries similar services for Manas, Orang and Nameri. You register with a mobile number and OTP, then log in to book.
Therefore, Kaziranga safari booking in 2026 has three practical routes:
- Official online booking through the Assam government channel, once slots open for the season.
- Range office booking in person at Kohora, Bagori, Agaratoli or Burapahar, usually a day ahead.
- Hotel or operator booking, where the lodge arranges the jeep, driver and entry.
Many private websites use “official” or “Kaziranga” in their names. Check that you are on an Assam government site before paying, or book through a trusted hotel.
Step-by-step online Kaziranga safari booking
The online flow may change as the Forest Department finalises its platform. Nevertheless, the general steps should look like this:
- Open the Assam government’s Kaziranga safari booking service.
- Register with your mobile number and verify it with an OTP.
- Choose the safari type: jeep or elephant.
- Select the range, date and slot (morning or afternoon for jeeps).
- Enter visitor names, nationality and ID details for each person.
- Pay online and download the booking confirmation.
- Carry the confirmation and the same original ID to the range gate.
Additionally, keep your hotel informed of your booking. Your driver usually needs the slot details to reach the gate on time.
Kaziranga safari ranges compared
Kaziranga has five administrative ranges, but tourists use four. The Northern range at Biswanath lies across the Brahmaputra and is not a regular safari zone. Each range suits different wildlife interests, so compare them before your Kaziranga safari booking.
| Range | Gate location | Distance guide | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central (Kohora) | Kohora | About 20 km west of Bokakhat | Most popular; rhinos, buffalo, elephants, easy access |
| Western (Bagori) | Bagori | About 12 km west of Kohora | Highest rhino density, open grassland |
| Eastern (Agaratoli) | Agaratoli | About 4 km north-east of Bokakhat | Birds, wetlands, winter migrants |
| Burapahar (Ghorakati) | Ghorakati | About 25 km west of Bagori | Quieter hilly forest, fewer vehicles |
Central range (Kohora)
Kohora is the park’s main tourism hub, with most hotels, the elephant safari point for foreigners and the busiest jeep trail. Consequently, Kaziranga safari booking for Kohora slots fills first in December and January.
Western range (Bagori)
Bagori offers short, open grassland drives with frequent rhino sightings. Moreover, it often opens first after the monsoon, as it did in the 2025–26 season. It also makes a good backup when a Kohora Kaziranga safari booking is full.
Eastern range (Agaratoli)
Agaratoli suits birders, with large wetlands, pelicans and migratory ducks in winter. Many photographers add it to a Kaziranga safari booking for that reason. In contrast, rhino sightings here are usually fewer than in Bagori or Kohora.
Burapahar range
Burapahar is the least crowded range, with hill forest along the park’s western edge. However, road repairs after floods can delay its opening, as officials reported in September 2026.
Kaziranga safari timings
Jeep safaris run twice a day in most ranges. The exact entry windows vary by range and season, so confirm them when you complete your Kaziranga safari booking.
| Safari | Usual slot | Approximate duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant safari (1st slot) | About 5:30 am | About 1 hour | Limited seats; dawn light |
| Elephant safari (2nd slot) | About 6:30 am | About 1 hour | Ends before jeeps enter |
| Jeep safari, morning | From about 7 to 7:30 am | About 2 to 3 hours | Best light and cooler air |
| Jeep safari, afternoon | From about 1:30 pm | About 2 hours | Closes before dusk |
Rangers control entry and exit times strictly to manage vehicle numbers. Therefore, arrive at the gate at least 20 to 30 minutes early with your ID.
Kaziranga safari cost and fees
The Forest Minister stated in August 2026 that jeep and elephant safari charges had not changed for 10 to 11 years. He also said the government is considering a hike. As a result, treat every figure below as a guide, and confirm the final amount during your Kaziranga safari booking.
| Cost item | Indian visitors (approx.) | Foreign visitors (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Park entry per person | About ₹100 | About ₹650 |
| Jeep hire per vehicle, per safari | Roughly ₹3,000 to ₹5,500 by range | Roughly ₹7,000 to ₹9,000 |
| Road or vehicle toll | Around ₹300 per vehicle | Around ₹300 per vehicle |
| Still camera | Small extra fee | Higher extra fee |
| Video or professional camera | Around ₹1,000 or more | Higher, confirm at gate |
| Elephant safari per person | Roughly ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 | Roughly ₹2,500 to ₹3,800 |
A jeep seats up to six passengers. Consequently, a group of six can bring the per-person cost down sharply. Solo travellers can ask their hotel about a shared seat, though availability varies.
Rates on agency websites often bundle entry, toll, driver and a service charge. Ask for an itemised quote so you can compare it with the official Kaziranga safari booking price.
Elephant safari at Kaziranga
Elephant safaris run only in the early morning and last about an hour. Traditionally, Bagori hosted rides for Indian visitors and Kohora for foreign visitors. Seats are few because the number of trained elephants is limited.
For the 2025–26 season, Assam’s Chief Minister announced that elephant safaris would begin on 1 November. Similarly, the 2026 online system covers elephant safari slots as well as jeeps. Therefore, make your elephant Kaziranga safari booking as early as possible for December and January dates.
Keep a few points in mind:
- Children above a certain age pay the adult rate; confirm the cut-off when booking.
- Permits are usually non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Rides can be cancelled in heavy fog or rain.
- Some visitors choose to skip elephant rides for animal-welfare reasons and book a second jeep safari instead.
When to make your Kaziranga safari booking
Kaziranga closes each monsoon because floods cover large parts of the park and animals need space to move. In 2026, jeep safaris ended on 28 May and the park closed from 29 May. By late September 2026, officials were preparing an October reopening, although water in Burapahar was slowing road repairs.
| Period | Park status | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| October | Partial opening, range by range | Tall grass; some trails still closed |
| November to February | Fully open | Best weather, peak demand, cold mornings |
| March to April | Open | Grass burnt back, good rhino views, warmer |
| May | Open until closure | Hot, humid, pre-monsoon showers |
| June to September | Closed | Monsoon floods |
Make your Kaziranga safari booking two to four weeks ahead for weekends, Christmas and New Year. Weekday slots in March and April are usually easier. For a wider seasonal view, see our best time to visit Northeast India guide.
Documents and rules for the safari
Carry the same original photo ID you used for your Kaziranga safari booking. Foreign nationals should carry their passport and visa. Rangers may check names against the booking list at the gate.
Additionally, follow the park rules closely:
- Stay inside the jeep at all times, except at marked watchtowers.
- Do not shout, feed animals or throw litter.
- Wear muted colours such as green, brown or khaki.
- Expect limits on mobile phones in core or remote areas, following Supreme Court guidelines of November 2025.
- Do not ask the driver to leave the marked track or chase animals.
Assam does not need an Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors. However, if you plan to continue to Arunachal Pradesh or Nagaland, read our inner line permit guide first.
How to reach Kaziranga for your safari
The park headquarters is at Bokakhat on NH 715, formerly NH 37. Most hotels cluster around Kohora, which sits on the same highway. The Assam Forest Department gives these distances to Kohora:
| From | Approx. distance to Kohora | Approx. road time |
|---|---|---|
| Jorhat airport | About 105 km | About 2 hours |
| Tezpur | About 90 km | About 2 hours |
| Guwahati railway station | About 210 km | About 4 to 5 hours |
| Guwahati airport | About 250 km | About 5 hours |
| Golaghat | About 50 km | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
Buses between Guwahati and Jorhat or upper Assam stop at Kohora and Bokakhat. Meanwhile, private taxis from Guwahati give more flexibility for early safari starts. If you arrive from Meghalaya, our Guwahati to Shillong distance guide covers that leg.
Sample itineraries around a Kaziranga safari booking
Two nights near Kohora give enough time for three or four safaris without rushing. Spread your Kaziranga safari booking across different ranges for variety.
| Plan | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 nights | Arrive; afternoon jeep in Kohora | Dawn elephant ride; morning jeep in Bagori; afternoon in Agaratoli | Morning jeep in Burapahar; depart |
| 1 night | Arrive by noon; afternoon jeep in Kohora | Morning jeep in Bagori; depart | — |
Many travellers pair Kaziranga with a long road trip into Arunachal. Tezpur, about 90 km away, is the gateway to Bhalukpong. Our Guwahati to Tawang distance guide explains that route stage by stage.
Common mistakes and practical tips
- Making a Kaziranga safari booking on a look-alike site: check the web address and the payment page before paying.
- Choosing only Kohora: add Bagori for rhinos or Agaratoli for birds.
- Arriving late at the gate: slots start on time and rangers rarely wait.
- Ignoring weather: fog can delay dawn safaris from December to February.
- Forgetting ID: carry the original ID you entered in the Kaziranga safari booking.
- Not keeping cash: some fees and tips are still paid in cash near the gates.
- Packing wrong: carry a warm layer for mornings and a dust cover for cameras.
Furthermore, carry binoculars and a zoom lens of at least 200 mm. Rhinos and buffalo often stay close, but birds and tigers keep their distance. For context on Assam and its neighbours, read about the Seven Sisters of India.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a Kaziranga safari booking online?
Assam’s Forest Minister announced in August 2026 that visitors can book jeep and elephant safari slots online with advance payment. The Sewa Setu portal also lists an online Kaziranga safari service, which uses mobile OTP registration. Choose the range, date and slot, pay online and carry the confirmation with your original photo ID to the gate.
When does Kaziranga National Park open for the 2026–27 season?
Officials were preparing to reopen the park in October 2026, subject to road and bridge repairs after the monsoon. Ranges usually open one by one; in 2025, Bagori opened first and Kohora followed in October. Elephant safaris usually start around 1 November. Check official announcements before fixing travel dates.
Which range is best for rhino sightings?
The Western range at Bagori and the Central range at Kohora usually give the most reliable rhino sightings. Bagori has open grassland with a high rhino density. Kohora is the easiest to reach and has the most hotels nearby. Agaratoli is better for wetland birds, while Burapahar offers quieter forest drives.
How much does a jeep safari in Kaziranga cost?
A private jeep for Indian visitors usually costs roughly ₹3,000 to ₹5,500 per safari, depending on the range. Foreign visitors pay more. Park entry, road toll and camera fees are extra. The Assam government was considering a revision in 2026, so confirm the final amount at the time of Kaziranga safari booking.
Is the elephant safari still available in Kaziranga?
Yes. Elephant safaris ran in the 2025–26 season from 1 November, and the government’s 2026 online booking plan includes them. Rides take place at dawn and last about an hour. Seats are limited, so make your Kaziranga safari booking early for winter dates. Fog or heavy rain can lead to cancellations.
What are the jeep safari timings in Kaziranga?
Jeep safaris usually run in two slots. The morning slot starts at about 7 to 7:30 am, and the afternoon slot starts at about 1:30 pm. Each drive lasts roughly two to three hours. Elephant safaris come earlier, at about 5:30 am and 6:30 am. Confirm exact entry windows with the range office or in your Kaziranga safari booking confirmation.
Do I need a permit to visit Kaziranga?
Indian citizens do not need an Inner Line Permit to visit Assam or Kaziranga. You only need a valid safari booking, park entry ticket and original photo ID. Foreign visitors should carry their passport and visa. Permits are required only if you continue to states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram or Manipur.
Plan your Kaziranga safari booking early
Kaziranga safari booking rewards early planners, especially for Kohora and Bagori slots between November and February. Use the official Assam government channel or a trusted hotel, pick two or three ranges, and carry your original ID. Above all, confirm fees and opening dates before you travel, since the 2026 season brings online booking and a possible fee revision.
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