When we think of Kaziranga, what comes to mind is a jeep and elephant safari into the wilderness. While Kaziranga is known for its trekking and hiking opportunities, trekking in Kaziranga National Park is one of the less popular choices for travelers.Despite its popularity among Gen Z and Millennials, camping and trekking in Kaziranga haven’t gained significant traction.
This is partly due to the inhospitable terrain and the presence of wild animals. However, Kaziranga does offer trekking opportunities for hikers and trekkers. In this blog, we will list all the places where you can go trekking in Kaziranga, provide a necessary guide for planning your trekking adventures, and share my personal experiences while trekking.
Things To Know Before Trekking in Kaziranga
As for your information, there are four ranges of Kaziranga National Park: Kohora in Central Range, Bagori in Western Range, Agaratoli in Eastern Range and Ghorakati in the Burapahar Range. All four ranges are shown in red coloured squares in the above map.
Of all the four ranges, Agaratoli Range (eastern zone) is the only option for trekking in Kaziranga. There are two favourite treks within this range: Natundanga-Baneshwar (which runs for 5 kilometers), and Chirang (which runs to 3 kilometers). Both of these fall under the Burapahar area under Agaratoli Range. However, in this blog, I will share my personal experience on an unexplored trekking trail in Kaziranga.
Even though I have been visiting Kaziranga National Park annually for about five years, I had never gone camping or trekking there until the winter break of 2023. During my previous visits, I had done the elephant safari three times and the jeep safari four times, exploring different ranges of Kaziranga, but camping and trekking had always been left out.
Upon a friend’s recommendation, I booked a stay at Camp Nampi, located near the Kohora range of Kaziranga. My expectations were low since camping and trekking in Kaziranga are relatively new activities. Before I share my experience, let’s go over some basic details about the place.
Location of the facility
The camping facility is situated 3.8 km from Kohora Chariali, near the central zone of Kaziranga National Park. This location is on Karbi Hill, south of the main park, and adjacent to Hatikhuli Tea Estate. The area is densely forested and camping area is carved out clearing the trees and long shrubs typical to Kaziranga National Park area.
How To Book?
You can book the camping by calling the management. Their phone number is given on Google maps and google business details. Alternatively, you can book online on this link. However, booking online may be costly and may not have guaranteed reservation. So, make a direct call to the management guy and he will arrange it smoothly.
There are two-seater, three-seater and four-seater tents available. The tents are setup over traditional bamboo chang (elevated platform). The average boarding cost is Rs. 1500. Food and other charges are included in that price. If you are visiting in winter months, bonfire is complimentary. However, food options are limited. If you need special dishes prepared for you, you will have to pay additional charges.
Camping in Kaziranga (Nampi Camp)
We were a group of five—two couples and one single person—traveling from Guwahati. We set off in the morning and arrived at our destination around 1 PM. As we reached the camping site, the weather was chilly, but the sun was shining. We had a simple lunch of daal and rice, and as the sun began to set, the fog rolled in, enveloping the tea estate surrounding the camp in a mesmerizing view.
The management had arranged a bonfire for us and another group staying at the property. The combination of the fog, the lights, and the winter chill created an enchanting atmosphere. Despite the occasional disruption from the distant engines and honks of trucks passing through NH37, the silence of the jungle remained enjoyable. A few pegs of drinks, smoked pork, some music, and the evening felt like heaven unfolding upon us.
We wished we could stay up all night, enjoying the fog, the chill wind, and the silence of the woods, but we were on a tight schedule and had booked trekking in Kaziranga for the next morning. For a good night sleep, the camps were really comfortable. But, don’t forget to bring your own power bank (no power source inside the tent). In addition, there are no shop (within 2-3 km) available near the camp. You must carry your essentials beforehand. No worries about parking your car, there are ample spaces. Washrooms are clean and modern, but situated a little away from the camp. They are not attached.
Trekking in Kaziranga
It is to noted that trekking inside Kaziranga is not permitted. No private party can arrange trekking. Two trekking trails mentioned above in the blog are managed by forest and tourism department. We will make a separate blog for that. This blog is about Karbi Hills Trek near Kaziranga.
When we woke up in the morning, we were greeted by a foggy view of the tea garden below and enjoyed a good cup of tea and noodles. After indulging in an extra nap amidst the natural surroundings, we began our trekking adventure in Kaziranga around 10 AM. Our trek was named the Karbi Hills Trek. There are many unexplored trails in the area, depending on your guide or your own exploring capabilities. The camping site management arranges the guides, but if you know Assamese, you can explore on your own. If you get lost, just ask the locals for directions.
We started by exploring the nearby tea garden, then, as per the guide’s instructions, we ventured into the nearby rock gardens and small rapids over the hills. Finally, we climbed to a location where we could view the great Brahmaputra and the lush greenery covering the rhinos, tigers, and elephants inside Kaziranga.
The Trekking Experience in Kaziranga
It was a wholesome experience. The trek itself isn’t extraordinary—it’s a simple sightseeing and exploration of the area that anyone can do. However, there are large rocks amidst the jungle where you can take photos, sit, relax, and enjoy the view. The area is clean and well-maintained. Trekking in the summer, though, should be avoided due to extreme heat, rain, and the presence of snakes.
After this trek, I am planning to trek inside the park on the Chirang trail. Once completed, I will update the blog or write another post about it. If you’re looking for a top-notch trekking experience in Assam, check out my blog where I discuss the trek to the highest mountain peak in Assam—Tumjang.
