Assam’s wildlife tourism season will begin with Manas National Park reopening on October 2 and Kaziranga National Park following on October 3, bringing back regulated safari operations and tourism-linked economic activity across the state. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is scheduled to reopen on October 13.
Manas will reopen with a special programme at its second main entrance. The UNESCO World Heritage Site will remain open until further orders under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Assam Wildlife (Protection) Rules, 1997.
Visitors to Manas will need to plan around weekly closures affecting individual ranges. The Bhuyanpara range will remain closed on Thursdays, Bansbari on Tuesdays, Panbari on Fridays and Kuklung on Wednesdays. The range-level schedule is part of the operating framework visitors must account for while planning trips during the 2026-27 season.
At Kaziranga, jeep safaris will initially resume in the Central Range at Kohora and the Western Range at Bagori. Other ranges are expected to reopen in phases, according to Arun Vignesh, divisional forest officer of the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division.
Kaziranga will offer two safari slots each day. The morning safari will operate from 7.30 am to 10 am, with visitors required to exit the park by noon. The afternoon safari will run from 1.30 pm to 3 pm, and tourists will have to leave by 5 pm.
Elephant safaris will not resume with the October reopening. They will remain suspended throughout October and are scheduled to restart from November 1. The phased return of activities means visitors will need to check the availability and operating rules for specific safari formats before travelling.
Forest and environment minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the reopening would revive tourism-linked economic activity and create opportunities for local communities and tourism workers. The seasonal operations connect park access with a wider network of guides, drivers, accommodation providers and other workers whose livelihoods depend on visitor flows.
Kaziranga permits can be obtained through the Assam Sewa Setu portal and the official booking system. The reopening schedule, range closures and safari timings make advance planning important for visitors, particularly during the first weeks of the season.
The 2026-27 wildlife tourism season will therefore begin in phases rather than with unrestricted access across all facilities. Manas is scheduled to reopen on October 2, Kaziranga on October 3, elephant safaris in Kaziranga on November 1 and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary on October 13.
