21 May, 2025

Kaziranga National Park is Now India’s Third-Most Visited Wildlife Destination

With 443,636 visitors from Oct 1, 2024 to May 18, 2025, Kaziranga National Park has become the third-most visited wildlife destination in India. The park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recorded an increase of 35% in overall visitor numbers. Kaziranga now ranks just behind Periyar National Park in Kerala and Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park, which is known for its rich tiger population.

Kaziranga has also garnered international attention as amongst 443,636 tourists who visited the national park, 18, 463 were foreign nationals, marking a 25% increase in international visitors. Its global stature has been further recognised by international media, with The New York Times listing it among Assam’s must-visit tourist destinations. The park generated revenue of ₹10.9 crore in revenue during the current tourist season, a notable increase from ₹8.8 crore in 2023-24, when 3,27,493 tourists visited, including 3,13,574 Indians and 13,919 foreigners.

Home to one-third of the world's population of one-horned rhinoceroses, Kaziranga National Park has always been in news for its effective and stringent anti-poaching and conservation efforts. As per Field director Sonali Ghosh, the increased footfall of the visitors is also attributed to the high-profile visits including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and 60+ Heads of Mission accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar.

In addition to the high-profile visits, factors like diverse activities, improved infrastructure (better roads, eco-friendly accommodations, and enhanced visitor amenities), strategic marketing, successful conservation efforts, and economic benefit have played a key role in the growth of Kaziranga tourism.