Nameri Tiger Reserve (Timings, Entry Fee, Safari Online Booking & How to Reach)
Nameri Tiger Reserve is located in the District of Sonitpur in the state of Assam. At the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, the reserve is spread across an area of 200 sq. km. and adjoins Pakhui (Pakke) Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh on the North-Eastern point. The Nameri National park came into being in 1878 when it was declared a reserved forest. The park has been bifurcated by the River Jia and its tributaries namely Diji, Dinai, Doigurung, Nameri, Dikorai and Khari etc.
Popular for tigers, the Nameri Tiger Reserve is also popular for huge number of Indian Elephants. Along with boasting of rich varieties of flora and fauna, the reserve also offers wide range of activities adding to the level of adventure and excitement. One can go for picnic by the side of Jia Bhoroli River. Elephant ride is the most popular of all the activities. Boat ride on River Jia Bhoroli also make for an interesting activity.
Flora @ Nameri Tiger Reserve
The reserve boasts of exotic flora. Its vegetation is consisted of Assam Valley Tropical Evergreen Forests, Assam Alluvial Plains semi Evergreen Forests, Eastern Alluvial Secondary Semi Evergreen Forests, Sub Himalayan light Alluvial Semi- Evergreen Forests, Cane Brakes, Wet Bamboo Brakes, Northern Secondary Moist Mixed, Deciduous Forests, Eastern Hollock Forests, Eastern Seasonal Swamp Forests, Eastern Dillenia Swamp Forests, etc.
Fauna @ Nameri Tiger Reserve
Along with rich population of tiger, the Nameri Tiger Reserve has various other kinds of mammals as well such as Leopard, Black Panther, Clouded Leopard, Lesse Cats, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Elephant, Indian Bison, Dhole, Sambar, Barking Deer, Dog Deer, Fox, Hispid Hare, Indian Hare, Capped Langur, Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan yellow Throated Martin, Malayan giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Wild Pig and many more.
Some of the reptiles present here are King cobra, cobra, Pit Viper, Russels Viper, Banded Krait, Python, Rat Snake, Assam Roof Turtle, Malayan Box Turtle, Keeled Box turtle, Asian Leaf Turtle, Narrow Headed soft Shelled Turtle and Indian soft Shelled Turtle. Fishes such as Golden Mahseer, Shaort gilled Mahseer and Silghoria are also present.
The reserve is a good place for the activity for bird watching as well with avian creatures like Long Billed Ring Plover, Khallej Pheasant, Hill Myna , Pin tailed green Pigeon, Himalayan pied Kingfisher, Three Toed kingfisher, Fairly Blue Bird, White winged wood duck, Great Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous Necked Hornbill, Black Stork, Ibis Bill, etc.
Best time to visit Nameri Tiger Reserve
The best time to visit the reserve is during the months of December and January. The park opens from the month of November to April. Avoid visiting during monsoon season as the area sees heavy rainfall usually.
Reaching Nameri Tiger Reserve
- By Air: Tezpur is the nearest airport to the reserve which in turn is connected to the airports of places like Kolkata and Silchar. One can hire a taxi from the airport to the park.
- By Rail: The Nearest railway station to the reserve is in Rangapara which is at a distance of 21 km.
- By Road: There are many public and private buses running from the Tezpur and other nearby areas. One can also hire a taxi or travel in their private vehicle at their own speed at utmost convenience.
Accommodation @ Nameri Tiger Reserve
Tourists have various options of staying in and around Nameri Tiger Reserve. Nameri Eco Camp located at Potasali offers decent and comfortable accommodation with all the modern amenities. Jia Bhorali Resort and Kanyaka forest lodges are few other accommodation facilities available.