Wild through my lens
19 Locations
1230 Captures
Land of One Horned Rhinos, The Indian Rhinoceros
This marked my second trip to Assam, and this time, I dedicated three to four days specifically to observing and photographing the incredible birdlife around Kaziranga National Park.
Kaziranga undeniably earns its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is an extraordinary wetland ecosystem, home to a diverse array of mammals, avian species, and, of course, the iconic Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros.
During my stay, I explored the Eastern, Central, and Western ranges of the park. Each zone offers a distinct experience with breathtaking landscapes, all eventually meeting the edges of the mighty Brahmaputra River. The Central range is particularly popular, known for hosting the elusive Golden Tiger and the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger, both of which roam freely across the varying terrains.
On my maiden visit in February 2019, I was guided by Dulan Gogoi—a young man with a profound passion for Kaziranga's birds and nature. When planning this return trip, I reached out to see if he could guide me once again. Though he was already booked, he highly recommended another guide, Papu Goswami. After coordinating dates, Papu handled all the arrangements flawlessly. I must say, Papu proved to be an exceptional guide, bringing a deep, nuanced understanding of the park and its surroundings.
Visiting during Christmas week in December meant the park was bustling with tourists. Given our four-day itinerary, we strategically spread our safaris across all the zones. We were immediately treated to a spectacular showing of migratory species, providing ample opportunities to capture birds foraging on the ground and in flight. We were also fortunate enough to photograph the rare Hoolock Gibbons.
During an afternoon safari in the Central zone, we had a fantastic opportunity to photograph Great Hornbills. As we were making our way back to the gate, the true thrill of the wild presented itself: a Royal Bengal Tiger walking head-on toward our jeep! With the light rapidly fading, we quickly captured a few shots before quietly letting this majestic predator pass us by.
This trip will remain etched in my memory. We came away with some excellent images to add to the collection, including Bar-headed Geese, Black-headed Ibis, Great Slaty Woodpeckers, Pied Kingfishers, Fish Eagles, Golden Langurs, River Lapwings, and naturally, the undisputed hero of the park: the Indian Rhino.
Travel notes
Best Time - October to March Lots of birds, Central Region for famous Golden Tiger and Royal Bengal Tiger
During summer heat can be an issue, drink lots of water.
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