Guwahati: Tourists visiting Kaziranga National Park may soon have to pay more for jeep and elephant safaris, with the Assam government considering a revision of safari fees ahead of the next wildlife tourism season.
Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the existing safari charges have remained unchanged for more than a decade and that the Forest Department has held discussions with stakeholders on revising the rates. The proposed changes are part of a broader plan to improve tourism management at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The government is also preparing to introduce an online booking facility for both jeep and elephant safaris. Once implemented, tourists will be able to reserve safari slots in advance and make payments digitally, a move aimed at making the process more convenient and reducing uncertainty over availability.
According to the minister, the Forest Department will work on developing a dedicated digital platform for the booking system. Detailed information on the proposed fee structure and the online reservation process is expected to be released after the ongoing preparations are completed.
The move comes as Kaziranga continues to attract record numbers of visitors. The national park and tiger reserve received 4,68,147 tourists during the 2025–26 tourism season, compared with 4,06,564 in the previous season. Of the total visitors, 4,37,673 were domestic tourists and 30,474 were from foreign countries.
With visitor numbers increasing, discussions have also focused on strengthening eco-tourism and ensuring that local communities receive a greater share of the economic benefits generated by tourism around Kaziranga.
The Forest Department is simultaneously preparing tighter controls on the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices in the park’s inner core and remote areas. Mallabaruah said the proposed restrictions are being considered in accordance with directions issued by the Supreme Court in November 2025.
The government is expected to issue detailed guidelines covering the proposed safari fee changes, online booking arrangements and restrictions on electronic devices before the new tourism season begins.
The planned reforms are expected to reshape the visitor experience at Kaziranga, while the government seeks to balance rising tourism demand with wildlife conservation and better management of the park.
