Bengal Florican

Largest Grassland : A world heritage site under UNESCO, Kaziranga is a great success story, having conserved the largest grassland habitat in eastern India, keeping it almost undisturbed by human beings. It is home to about two-third of the world population of One-horned Rhino, of Eastern Swamp Deer, and of Asiatic Water Buffalo. Asian Elephants in wild are better spotted here than in Corbett Park. Nearly 450 species of birds have earned it an additional prestige as it has vast chunks of aquatic habitat, open grass lands, woodland and adjoining hills. The Bengal Florican is possible to be observed here.

There are nearly fifty species found in and around water in this extensively aquatic habitat, such as, Falcated Teal, Ferriginous Pochard, Waders, Storks prominently the Greater, Lesser Adjutant Stork, and Black-necked Stork. Numerous forest birds and those flitting around bushes are available here: Warblers, Flycatchers, Barbets, Bee-eaters, Minivets, Tailor Bird, Sunbirds, Wagtails, Pipits, and remarkably Streaked Spiderhunter, Lapwing, Swamp Frankolin, etc. There are several raptors: Pallas's, Fish-eagle, Harriers, Grey-headed Fish-eagle among others.

Elephant Safari : It is excitement-unlimited to be on the back of a domesticated elephant (three-four persons sitting together with the driver in control), going ahead at leisurely pace through tall grass, discovering open country species, their density being low but diversity is remarkable. The morning session is usually with this pachyderm to locate the one-horned rhino which you encounter within minutes of the start of such a (royal) safari, and as you go the ground birds are flushed out to offer you their glimpse. There are couple of entry points to this park from the main road (Guwahati to Jorhat road) and within no time you are amidst the sub-Himalayan birds.

Several remarkable species are possible to be observed around the nature resort where we stay, usually through a walk into the tea estate which dot almost entire area outside the park. Oriental Pied Hornbill is quite common around the park. Kaleej Pheasant, Brown Crake, Swamp Frankolin, Parakeets, Starlings, Teals, Geese, Green Pigeons, Oriental Hobby, White-browed Scimitar, Babbler, Red-billed Common Green Magpie, Greater and Lesser neck-laced Laughing Thrushes, Black-throated Parrot Bill etc are striking possibilities.

Gibbon : It is possible to explore Hullock Gibbon, India's only ape in the nearby Panbari reserve forest. We hear the loud and booming call of this tail-less ape, better exploring the habitat during the morning hours. The jungle echoes with such resounding calls, somewhat threatening. Our neck can ache as we steadfastly gaze the canopied forest to ascertain where this critically endangered guy hides. It is an intricate experience which allows us to get a glimpse of this rare species, not offering a good photo opportunity. We are, however, amply rewarded to spot the Pygmy Blue-Flycatcher, Grey-bellied Tesia, Striped Tit-Babbler, White throated Bulbul among others.

We need to be in the jeeps all the time barring the morning session with the elephant and cover long distance each day through the dirt track, passing by bheels (shallow water bodies) to see Water Buffaloes, Swamp Deer, Wild Elephants, and take a chance with Tiger. The walk through the tea plantations provides a relief from the somewhat lengthy jeep drives and we are welcome to visit a nearby tea processing unit as also see local communities engaged in making handicraft including weaving of traditional textiles.

Ibisbill : in close neighborhood of Arunachal Pradesh in the sub-tropical vegetation regime. It is a moisture laden area due to nearness to rivers providing prosperous habitat for ungulates and avian species. Ibisbill and several Kingfishers besides Plovers, Barbets, Bulbuls, Mynas, Bee-eaters, and numerous migratory ducks and waders await us here. It is good for raptors as well. Five nights' stay is minimum required.