The Assam government has announced the reopening of the wildlife tourism season, inviting nature enthusiasts, wildlife lovers and travellers from across India and abroad to experience the state’s rich biodiversity. According to the Tourism Department, Manas National Park will reopen on October 2, followed by Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on October 3, while Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary will welcome visitors from October 13.
Forest Department teams are making final preparations to receive tourists as the monsoon season comes to an end and the new ecotourism season begins.
Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spread across Chirang and Baksa districts in the Bodoland Territorial Region, will reopen after the mandatory monsoon closure prescribed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. A special programme has been planned at the park’s second main entrance to mark the reopening.
The park will remain open until further orders, although different ranges will observe weekly closure days. Bansbari Range will remain closed on Tuesdays, Bhuyanpara on Thursdays, Panbari on Fridays, Kuklung on Wednesdays and Kahitama Beat on Mondays.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve will open for jeep safaris from October 3. Safari entry timings have been fixed from 7:30 am to 10:00 am and from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Authorities have completed repairs of roads, bridges and tourism infrastructure, while safari vehicles have undergone verification. Hotels and tourism operators have also upgraded their facilities ahead of the tourist season.
Kaziranga recorded an impressive 4,68,147 visitors during the 2025-26 season, including a record 30,474 foreign tourists. Manas welcomed 63,723 visitors, registering an increase of more than 20 percent over the past four years, while Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary attracted 35,371 visitors.
Both Kaziranga and Manas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among Assam’s premier wildlife destinations. Manas is home to Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, clouded leopards, golden langurs, pygmy hogs and nearly 450 bird species. Kaziranga, meanwhile, supports the largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses in Assam and also hosts a significant tiger population.
Officials expect the phased reopening of the protected areas to boost local livelihoods by creating opportunities for safari guides, hospitality operators and forest-fringe communities, while ensuring that wildlife habitats recover adequately after the monsoon season.
Visitors have been advised to check range-specific schedules and book safari slots in advance before planning their trips.
