Travel time: Year-round
Kaziranga National Park operates on a unique tropical monsoon cycle heavily dictated by the Brahmaputra River. The climate is characterized by high humidity and distinct seasonal shifts that transform the landscape from parched, golden grasslands to a vast, inland sea.
Throughout the operational months (November to April), you will experience a significant diurnal temperature range.
This is the most stable and popular period. The weather is dry, cool, and crisp. The tall elephant grass begins to dry out and is often traditionally burned by park authorities toward the end of the season, which drastically increases visibility for spotting the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros. Migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia arrive, taking advantage of the receding water levels in the beels (lake-like wetlands).
As summer approaches, the heat intensifies and the relative humidity climbs. This is a period of “burn and bloom.” While the heat can be draining, it is an excellent time for wildlife photography because the receding water sources force animals to congregate at known watering holes. Wind speeds pick up, and the park experiences occasional pre-monsoon thunderstorms known locally as Bordoisila.
Kaziranga undergoes a dramatic transformation during the monsoon. The park receives nearly 2,220 mm of rain, causing the Brahmaputra to breach its banks. Approximately 75% to 80% of the park typically becomes submerged. The park is closed to visitors during this time as the animals migrate to the higher grounds of the Karbi Anglong hills to the south. This annual flood is essential for the ecosystem, as it deposits nutrient-rich silt and flushes out invasive aquatic weeds.
The park’s proximity to the Karbi Anglong hills creates a localized weather effect. While the northern boundary along the river is cooler and more humid, the southern fringes near the foothills can experience slightly higher temperatures and different wind patterns. The "riverine" microclimate means that even on a hot day, areas deep within the forest or near the large beels may feel a few degrees cooler due to evapotranspiration.
Historically, the floods are seen not as a disaster but as a rebirth. Locals have adapted to this cycle for centuries. Many traditional homes in the surrounding Mishing and Assamese villages are built on stilts (Chang Ghars) to allow floodwaters to pass underneath.
For the traveler, the weather "feels" more intense than the mercury suggests. The high humidity in summer can make 35°C feel much hotter, while the damp winter mornings make 10°C feel significantly colder than a dry cold. The "real feel" is heavily influenced by the moisture rising from the marshes and the thick canopy of the semi-evergreen forests.