Assam's Wildlife Tourism Season Kicks Off with Park Reopenings

Exciting News for Wildlife Enthusiasts

Guwahati, Oct 1: Assam is gearing up for its wildlife tourism season, with Manas National Park reopening on October 2, followed by Kaziranga National Park on October 3, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary on October 13, as confirmed by officials.

Jayanta Malla Baruah, the Environment and Forest Minister, has extended an invitation to wildlife lovers and travelers from across India and beyond to explore the rich biodiversity of the state.

He mentioned that the Forest Department is actively preparing for the upcoming season, ensuring that all necessary arrangements are in place to welcome tourists.

“We are thrilled to reopen Kaziranga’s unique ecosystem of grasslands, wetlands, and diverse wildlife, while prioritizing conservation and responsible tourism for our visitors,” the Minister stated in a recent social media update.

Preparations at Kaziranga include the restoration of roads, bridges, and other essential infrastructure, along with the verification of vehicles for jeep safaris, as noted by Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer Arun Vignesh on September 24.

Kaziranga had initially opened for the 2026 season on September 26, with a ceremonial event held at the Western Range in Bagori.

However, the reopening of additional tourism facilities has faced delays due to waterlogged conditions affecting infrastructure work, according to the DFO.

Vignesh indicated that the speed of repair efforts would be contingent on weather conditions and expressed optimism that the work would be completed promptly if the weather remains favorable.

During the 2025-26 season, Kaziranga welcomed a total of 468,147 visitors, a significant increase from 406,564 in the previous season.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site also achieved its highest number of international visitors during the 2025-26 season, with 30,474 foreign tourists recorded by March 31, 2026, compared to 17,693 in 2024-25.

Manas National Park saw 63,723 visitors in the 2025-26 season, reflecting a growth of over 20 percent compared to the last four years, according to officials.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary recorded 35,371 visitors during the same timeframe, marking a nearly 3 percent increase from the previous season.

The reopening of these parks and sanctuary signifies the start of a new tourism cycle for Assam’s wildlife attractions, with the Forest Department focused on enhancing infrastructure and safari services for visitors.