6 Best Rhino Parks in India

World Rhino Day is celebrated on 22nd September every year. The day is earmarked for increasing the awareness of preserving and protecting the rhinos all throughout the world. Certain species of rhinos still fall under the endangered list and hence it is essential to take care of them. I will be celebrating this day by sharing the 6 best rhino parks in India. And I would be focusing on the national parks where you can find the famous one-horned rhino.

The Indian one-horned rhino also known as Rhinoceros unicorns is a native to the Indian subcontinent. You can find them mostly in their natural habitat which spreads across the Indo Gangetic Plain of northern India and southern Nepal. They are considered as vulnerable as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The population of the one-horned rhino is approximately 2939 in India. Extensive conservation measures have been undertaken by the Indian government to protect the endangered species of rhino.

Without further ado, let’s go for a short virtual tour of the 7 Best Rhino Parks in India.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam

Kaziranga National Park houses the highest number of rhinos and is one of the phenomenal rhino parks in India. Two-thirds of the world’s population of one-horned rhinos are present in the park totaling about 2600. The park is listed under UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. The preservation of the rhinos started in 1905 under the flagship of Lord Curzon and his wife Mary Curzon. There is both jeep safari and elephant rides available in the park.

Its flora and fauna lure millions of wildlife lovers and nature admirers from different parts of India and the world. Surrounded by the plains of Brahmaputra, the park acts as a healthy habitat for innumerable species of animals and birds. Tall and short grasses, semi-evergreen and wet forests, and beautiful wildflowers adorn the park premises. You can find lotus, water lilies, and water hyacinth in the waters. There are about 35 species of mammals, 42 species of reptiles, and 479 species of migratory and resident birds. It also has the highest density of tigers in India.

Best season to visit the park: Between the months November and March

How to reach the park: Nearest airports are at Jorhat or Guwahati. The nearest railway stations are at Furkating or Guwahati. Cabs and buses are available from the places to reach the park. If you are traveling via road, then you need to travel via NH37.

Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal

Jaldapara National Park is one of the exotic rhino parks in India. It has the highest number of one-horned rhinos in the state, counting to about 237. The park was established in 1941 with the sole purpose of protecting the rhinos. In 2012 it was declared as a national park. In India, it houses the second most population of rhinos. Jeep safaris and elephant rides are available for a ride across the park.

It is intriguing to watch its enthralling flora and fauna. Tall elephant grasses occupy the maximum area of the park. Animals such as leopards, boars, elephants, deer, and many others are present in good numbers. You can also observe several species of reptiles and turtles. The park is a paradise for bird watchers. Hornbills, peafowls, eagles, and many other birds are found in abundance.

Best season to visit the park: The months of September, October, November, December, March, and May.

How to reach the park: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra. The nearest railway stations are at Birpara or Hasimara. Cabs and buses are available from the places to reach the park. If you are traveling via road, then you need to hire a cab or board a bus from Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal.

Pobitora National Park in Assam

Pobitora National Park is one of the famous rhino parks in India. A total of 93 rhinos have been reported to be residing and spotted at the park. In the year 1971, the park was declared as a reserve forest and in 1987 a wildlife sanctuary. About 16 sq km of the forest area is reserved for the rhinos as they roam around in their natural habitat. Jeep Safaris and elephant rides are available for a ride through the park.

There are other different animal species in the park like the leopard, wild boar, Barking deer, Wild buffalo, etc. For birdwatchers, the sanctuary is a good place to watch both the local and migratory birds. More than 2000 species of birds dwell inside the park.

Best season to visit the park: The months between November and February.

How to reach the park: The nearest airport is in Guwahati. The nearest railway station is at Jagiroad. Cabs and buses are available from both places to reach the park. If you are traveling via road, then you need to hire a cab or board a bus from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, to reach either Kolangpur or Morigaon.

Orang National Park in Assam

Orang National Park is one of the beautiful rhino parks in India. In 1985, the park was declared as a sanctuary and in 1999 as a national park. About 68 one-horned rhinos reside inside the park. The location of the park is picturesque, surrounded by the rivers Pachnoi, Belsiri, and Dhanshiri. The alluvial flood plains serve as a convenient habitat for numerous animal and bird species.

Aquatic and non-aquatic grasses and rich plantations circumference the forest premises. About 222 species of birds, more than 50 species of fish, 19 tigers, and other several animal species, reptiles, and mammals reside in the park.

Best season to visit the park: The months of March and April.

How to reach the park: The nearest airport is in Salonibari. The nearest railway stations are at Salonibari and Rangapara. Cabs and buses are available from both places to reach the park. If you are traveling via road, then you need to avail of NH52 and reach Dhansirimukh, a village near the park.

Gorumara National Park in West Bengal

Gorumara National Park is one of the prominent rhino parks in India. It was declared as a reserve forest in 1895, a wildlife sanctuary in 1949, and an Indian national park in 1994. The Jaldhaka river passes by the forest, enriching it with the flood plains. About 52 rhinos reside in the park. There is a rhino observation point inside the park, best for observing the rhinos.

The park is also the residence of 50 species of mammals, 193 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles, 7 species of turtles, and 27 species of fish. The flora includes orchids, and savanna grasslands, and shrublands.

Best season to visit the park: The months between November and March.

How to reach the park: The nearest airport is in Bagdogra. The nearest railway stations are Chalsa and Malbazar. Cabs and buses are available from both places to reach the park. If you are traveling via road, then you need to avail NH31A. Chalsa is the nearest bus station.

Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh

Dudhwa National Park is one of the fascinating rhino parks in India. It was declared as a reserve forest in 1979, a wildlife sanctuary in 1958, and an Indian national park in 1977. Alluvial plains and the upper Gangetic plains encircle the forest; ideal habitat for the survival of innumerable animal and bird species. 42 rhinos reside inside the forest as per the latest surveys and studies.

The park is also the residence for 38 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles, 400 species of birds, and 90 species of fish. Grasslands and wetlands occupy the park with deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.

Best season to visit the park: The months between February and April.

How to reach the park: The nearest airport is in Lucknow. The nearest railway station is Dudhwa. Cabs and buses are available from both places to reach the park. If you are traveling via road, then you can board a bus or hire a cab from Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about the rhino parks in India. Please share your feedback and valuable recommendations.