Kaziranga begins new tourism season with 43 elephants deployed for safaris

Kaziranga National Park in Assam began its 2026-27 tourism season with the launch of elephant safaris across its Kohora and Bagori ranges on November 1.

A total of 43 elephants took part in the opening day's safaris, including 10 Forest Department elephants in the Kohora range and 33 privately owned elephants in the Bagori range.

The Forest Department's elephant safari service was formally inaugurated by Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Arun Vignesh at Mihimukh in the Kohora range. The inauguration followed traditional elephant worship ceremonies. Private elephant safari operations also commenced in Bagori, the park's Western Range.

Tourists from across India and abroad visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site on the first day of the season. Visitors from Australia, Thailand, Belgium and England were among those who took elephant rides through the park.

For several tourists, the opening day marked their first experience of exploring Kaziranga on elephant-back, offering an opportunity to observe its wildlife from within the natural landscape.

Elephant safaris remain one of the ways visitors explore the park, particularly during the early morning hours.