Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve records All-Time High Tourist Footfall in 2025–26 Season
Surpassing all previous records, a total of 4,68,147 domestic and foreign tourists visited Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve during the 2025–26 tourism year up to the end of March. Of these, 30,474 were foreign visitors and 437,673 were domestic tourists. Even after March, the flow of visitors has continued, with 49,322 tourists including 2,116 foreigners arriving in April alone.
By comparison, in the 2024–25 season Kaziranga received 4,06,564 tourists (17,693 foreign and 3,88,871 domestic ). This remarkable growth was confirmed in a press note issued by Kaziranga Director Dr. Sonali Ghosh, who stated that the current year’s figures have broken all past records.
Kaziranga has also gained international prominence in recent years. In 2023, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and India’s President Droupadi Murmu visited the park. On March 9, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured Kaziranga—the first Indian Prime Minister to do so since its declaration as a national park in 1974. On February 24, 2025, as part of the “Advantage Assam 2.0” initiative, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar led a delegation of 60 foreign mission heads to Kaziranga. Other high‑profile visitors included Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (May 16, 2025), Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav (October 5, 2025), and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou (November 2, 2025).
International recognition has further boosted Kaziranga’s profile: The New York Times listed Assam and Kaziranga among the world’s “must‑see” destinations. Over the past decade, tourist arrivals have quadrupled, while foreign visitors have nearly doubled.
Innovative initiatives have played a major role in this growth. In February 2025, bird‑watching facilities were introduced at Panbari (Eastern Assam Wildlife Division), cycling at Kohora, jeep safaris and boat rides at Panpur (Bishwanath Wildlife Division). Eco‑shops run by the Kaziranga Staff Welfare Society now offer souvenirs and local products, creating memorable experiences for visitors. A new trekking route to Hemtap Hill at Silimkhua village has also become a popular attraction.
This surge in tourism has significantly benefited local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and shops, contributing to the region’s overall economic development.