Rhinos at Pobitora before breakfast
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary covers a small area of floodplain grassland and wetland in Morigaon district, east of Guwahati. Its size is its strength for visitors: the rhinos are concentrated in a compact area, so sightings are frequent and close. It also holds wild buffalo, wild boar and large numbers of water birds in winter.
We leave Guwahati at about 5:30 am to reach the sanctuary for the first jeep drive, which lasts about an hour. The light at dawn over the wetlands is soft, and rhinos are often grazing near the tracks. Elephant rides are also offered, but we prefer the jeep. Breakfast follows at a quiet spot nearby or back at the hotel.
Pobitora is ideal for travellers with only one day in Assam, for those flying out of Guwahati after Meghalaya, or as a taste of what Kaziranga offers on a larger scale. The season runs from about November to April, with opening dates set each year.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How far is Pobitora from Guwahati?
About 50 km, which takes 1 to 1.5 hours by road. An early start lets you complete a morning jeep drive and return to Guwahati by late morning, making it easy to fit in before a flight or the drive to Shillong.
Is Pobitora better than Kaziranga for rhinos?
Pobitora is smaller, so rhinos are concentrated and often easy to see in a short drive. Kaziranga is far larger, with more species, wider landscapes and more chance of seeing elephants, buffalo and perhaps a tiger. Pobitora suits short visits; Kaziranga deserves two or three nights.
When is Pobitora open?
The season generally runs from about November to April, with opening and closing dates announced each year by the forest department. The sanctuary closes during the monsoon, when much of it floods. Check current status before you travel.
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