Festival · ASSAM
February 11-17 · Kaziranga
A celebration of wildlife conservation and cultural heritage held at Kaziranga National Park, featuring hundreds of decorated Asiatic elephants in parades, races, football matches, and dance performances. Jointly organized by Assam's Forest and Tourism Departments to highlight elephant conservation efforts and address human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
Why it mattersConservation awareness for endangered one-horned Asian elephant; celebration of the park's global wildlife importance
February is Kaziranga's best month — short grass, clear weather, and animals concentrated at permanent water sources.
Live in Kaziranga
Boutique safari lodge on the banks of the Diphlu River with just 12 cottages. Each cottage has a private sit-out facing the river. Expert naturalists lead jeep and elephant safaris. The evening campfire with wildlife stories is the highlight.
Pioneering eco-lodge that helped put Kaziranga on the tourist map. Thatched-roof cottages in a lush garden, Assamese cuisine cooked by local women, and naturalist-guided safaris. The owner Manju Barua is a conservation legend. Rhino sightings from the property's boundary.
Upscale resort with a pool, spa, and well-designed rooms themed around Assamese culture. The safari coordination is seamless — morning wake-up calls, packed breakfasts, and jeep transfers included. The multi-cuisine restaurant is the best near the park.
SignatureTraditional Assamese Thali (with Karbi accents)
Cash-friendly, simple seating. Best stop after the morning safari (8-9am) — the kitchen has the day's fish in by 10am. Resort guests skip this; that's why it stays good.
SignatureAssamese Thali (₹200 sampler)
Service is consistently described as slow — order on arrival, then go for a 30-minute walk. Banana-heart stir-fry and the duck are the items that distinguish this from Hornbill; if you've already had the thali at Hornbill, come here for the duck.
SignatureAssamese thali with pork and bamboo shoot
Order at least 2 hours ahead by phone for pork-and-bamboo and fresh pitha — they cook to order, not in advance.
SignatureAssamese vegetarian thali at ₹150
About a kilometre west of the Kohora Chariali junction, on the Tezpur side. Lunch is quicker than dinner if you're between morning and afternoon safaris.
Park with 500+ orchid species and other rare plants of Northeast India. Educational walking trails.
UNESCO World Heritage park. Elephant and jeep safaris to see one-horned rhinoceros. Highest rhino density globally.
Best range for rhino sightings. Swamp deer, wild buffalo, and elephants also commonly seen.
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