This national park is regarded as one of the last refuges and the habitat of one horned Rhino (Rhinoceros Unicornis) in the country. Weighing around two tons and 24 inches horn (actually a compressed hair), Indian Rhino enjoys its monopoly in north-eastern wetlands of India. Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park is enveloped by a large part of Mikir Mountain Ranges, covered with tall elephant grass, marshes and dense tropical forests of Assam. Covering an area of 430 sq km, this national park is an ideal habitat for Indian one-horned rhino. Kaziranga was declared a reserve forest in 1908 to protect this indigenous endangered species by banning the poaching of Indian rhino. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1940 and it was given the status of a national park in 1974 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. With the consistent efforts of Indian government, the rhino population of Kaziranga has exceeded from 12 to thousand Rhinos.
Wildlife in Kaziranga National Park
Besides the prominence of gigantic one horned Rhino, the animals attracting the attention of the visitors are Indian elephants, tigers, wild boar, jackal, wild buffalo, pythons, monitor lizards, Indian bison, hoolock gibbons, leopard, hog deer, sloth bears, jungle cats, otters, hog badgers, capped langursand and swamp deer or barasingha etc. Important bird species found in this bird watching paradise include black kite, oriental honey buzzard, white tailed eagle, black-shouldered kite, brahminy kite, pallas's fishing eagle, grey-headed fishing eagle and Himalayan griffon etc. Number of migratory birds inhabiting the lakes and marshy areas of this park during winters include bar-headed geese, ruddy shelduck, greylag geese, gadwall, falcated duck, northern shoveller and red-crested pochard.

One-Horned Rhino in Kaziranga National Park
Located on the banks of the River Ganges, Kaziranga National Park is one of the only preserves for protecting the famous one-horned Indian Rhino. Thanks to the extensive wildlife conservation program of Indian government, the population of one-horned rhinos has reached around 1500 from originally 200 at Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Almost two thirds of world's one-horn rhinos now lives at Kaziranga National Park. The dense forests thickets and large expanses of open water meadows serve as the perfect habitat for one-horned rhino at Kaziranga National Park.

Other Attractions in Kaziranga National Park
Elephant Safari : Long stretches of Elephant Grass can most suitably be viewed on an elephant's back. The most suitable time for elephant ride is in the morning. Mihimukh, Baguri, Hole Path, Kohora-Central Path and Arimarah are covered by this ride. The tourists can also observe the activities of the Indian Rhino.

Sightseeing in Kaziranga : Main tourist spots around Kaziranga are the lush tea and gardens, rubber plantations and wildlife film shows (on request). Karbi villages and Karbi people of Kaziranga offer a range of activities for the tourists to make their tour to Kaziranga quite different.
How to Reach Kaziranga National Park
By Air : Guwahati (217 km) is the nearest airport near Kaziranga. Jorhat Airport (97 km) is also located nearby.

By Rail : Furkating (75 km) is the nearest railway station from Kaziranga National Park. Direct trains from Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum reach Guwahati. Guwahati and Jorhat are well connected by road with all the neighbouring states.

By Road : Main gate for this national park is at Kohora on the NH-37. Private buses connect it to the major cities like Guwahati, Upper Assam and Tezpur. Some buses also provide for a certain quota for the tourists willing to visit Kaziranga.