Kaziranga National Park Plans to Revise Safari Charges and Introduce Online Booking
Kaziranga National Park's Upcoming Changes
A file image of an elephant safari in Kaziranga National Park.
Guwahati, Aug 9: The Assam government is contemplating an increase in the fees for jeep and elephant safaris at Kaziranga National Park as the tourism season approaches. The Forest Department is currently reviewing the existing rates.
Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah mentioned on Sunday that it has been over a decade since the last fee adjustment for these safaris. He noted that discussions regarding potential fee reforms were held with various stakeholders.
Additionally, the management strategies for Kaziranga during the upcoming tourism season were also a topic of discussion, leading to several new initiatives.
“We have deliberated on how to effectively manage Kaziranga in the forthcoming tourism year and have made some new decisions,” the minister stated.
One significant change will be the launch of an online booking system for both jeep and elephant safaris, allowing visitors to secure their safari slots and make payments in advance.
“A key decision is to enable online reservations for jeep and elephant safaris. This will allow visitors to book their slots and make payments ahead of time, streamlining the process and alleviating previous uncertainties,” Mallabaruah explained.
The Forest Department is set to develop a digital platform to support this new booking system.
Furthermore, discussions included eco-tourism initiatives and strategies to ensure that a larger portion of tourism revenue benefits local communities.
Officials reported that over 470,000 tourists visited the park this season, with a notable increase in international visitors.
In addition, the Forest Department is preparing to enforce restrictions on mobile phone usage and other electronic devices in the park's inner core and remote areas.
“In compliance with a Supreme Court directive issued in November 2025, visitors will not be allowed to carry mobile phones or similar devices into the park's inner core or remote zones,” Mallabaruah added.
The Forest Department will soon provide comprehensive details regarding the new initiatives, including the proposed fee adjustments and the digital booking system.