Kaziranga elephant safaris return for 2026-27 with 43 elephants

Elephant safaris resumed at Kaziranga National Park on Sunday, November 1, marking the start of the 2026-27 season for one of the most sought-after ways to see the park's rhinos, swamp deer and grasslands up close.

A total of 43 elephants were deployed on the opening day across two ranges, India Today NE and Pratidin Time reported. Ten elephants belonging to the Forest Department took visitors out in the Kohora (Central) range, while 33 privately owned elephants operated in the Bagori (Western) range.

Opening with rituals

The Forest Department's service was formally opened by Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer Arun Vignesh at Mihimukh in the Kohora range, where he cut the ceremonial ribbon. As is customary, the opening was preceded by traditional worship of the elephants. Private operators began rides in Bagori at the same time, with the first batches heading out in the early morning.

Visitors from Australia, Thailand, Belgium, the United States and the United Kingdom were among the first riders, along with tourists from across India. For many, it was their first time exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site from elephant-back.

A busy season so far

The park itself reopened for the season on October 3 with jeep safaris. By late October it had already received about 22,000 visitors in 26 days, including around 400 foreigners, according to figures the DFO shared with The Assam Tribune earlier in the week. He said footfall was higher than last year, helped by the Durga Puja holidays, and that the department was considering opening the Burhapahar range as well. The Kohora, Bagori and Agoratoli ranges are open at present.

Kaziranga recorded its highest-ever foreign tourist count in the 2025-26 season, with 30,474 international visitors up to March 31, 2026, compared with 17,693 the season before.

Planning a visit

Elephant safaris run early in the morning and are usually booked in advance. They are suspended every year from around May, when the monsoon floods large parts of the park. Visitors should check the park's official booking channels for current timings and rates before travelling.