KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
Off went the alarm at 03:00! Surprisingly bright eyed and bushy-tailed, we went to the lounge for a quick cuppa before heading off for our safari at 03:30. In near darkness, we crossed the bamboo bridge that led from the M.V Mahabaahu cruise ship to the banks of the Brahmaputra river, where our vehicles and drivers were waiting.
The hour’s drive to Kaziranga National Park was just as much a safari as the one we were about to go on; the streets are full of monkeys, dogs and exotic birds!
Kaziranga National Park encompasses an area of 166 square miles and is home to the largest population of Indian Elephants and two thirds of the world’s Great One Horned Rhinoceros!
Thanks to its world heritage status, Kaziranga National Parks rhino population has increased by over 2,000 over the last 40 years. The park also has also been a tiger reservation since 2006, and its home to 106 tigers with a healthy ratio of males to females.
The park is very well protected and has some 500 patrol guards, plus 200 armed guards, who have the authority to disarm and deal with poachers as they see fit.
INDIAN ELEPHANT RIDES
When we arrived at Kaziranga National Park, we saw an array of elephants – no, not part of the safari, but our mode of transport – naturally!
Each elephant carried three people, and we could sit sideways or forward facing. I was a little apprehensive at first. Since I am only 4 foot 10 inches tall I was wondering if my short legs would be long enough to climb over the very broad back of the elephant. Phew I made it!
With the sun just starting to rise, we headed off into the tall elephant grass. There were about a dozen or so elephants and to my utter delight two little baby elephants accompanied us, staying close by to their mothers.
Within minutes, we saw our first One Horned Rhino, just feet away. In fact, I lost count of how many rhinos we saw during our hour’s elephant ride. It was surreal being surrounded by so much wildlife within such close proximity. Due to the slow pace of the elephants, we were really able to soak in every last detail (and have time to take photos!). Our mahout (the person riding and guiding the elephant) also acted as our safari guide, pointing out all of the animals.
We saw a family of wild Indian Elephants, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer and a variety of birds too: Open Billed Storks, Woolly Necked Storks, Pelicans, Fish Eagles, Herons, Cormorants, Darters and Black Necked Storks, to name just a few!
We headed back to our starting point where there was an opportunity to pet the baby elephants. One of them took a shine to my camera and curled his trunk around it! The babies were so beautiful; I wanted to take them home with me but sadly my briefcase simply wasn’t big enough (not to mention what customs would say!)!
FROM ONE SAFARI TO ANOTHER
We headed back to our vehicles and drove to the Iora Retreat Hotel for breakfast. Now for the open top jeep safari which took us around the Western part of the park. Our driver was excellent, pointing out all the wildlife and allowing us plenty of time for photos. We saw wild boars and water buffalo basking in the water.
My head was spinning in all directions trying not to miss a photo opportunity. I do not think our time at Kaziranga Park could have been better organized and rewarding, covering one part of the park by Elephant and the other by Jeep; it was perfect.
Getting up so early meant we were back on board the M.V. Mahabaahu by lunchtime, and after eating we decided to thoroughly relax for the rest of the afternoon! I took a dip in the pool onboard and took advantage of the wonderful onboard Spa Ojas, which offered amazing massages and treatments (as well as a jacuzzi, steam and sauna). Perfection!
Don’t forget to catch up with Day 7 of my trip tomorrow!
BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER CRUISE ARTICLES
