Field Advisory September 2, 2026 Kaziranga National Park 3 min read

Kaziranga Safari Rates & Rules: Assam CM Clarifies Status for 2026–27 Season

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has officially confirmed that newly proposed safari tariff hikes and vehicle quotas will not apply to the 2026–27 season. All tariffs remain unchanged while final directives on mobile phone rules and Sunday closures await the formal PCCF notification.

Verified against Assam CM video statement
Official Status Summary

Will Kaziranga safari prices increase for 2026–27? No. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on September 2, 2026, that proposed price hikes will not apply to the 2026–27 season. Jeep, elephant, and boat safari rates remain identical to previous season rates.

Tourists in an open-top gypsy safari posing with a wild elephant in the grasslands of Kaziranga
Tourists enjoying an open gypsy safari observing a wild elephant in Kaziranga · Operating under unchanged 2026–27 safari rates PC: Jadumoni Goswami

2026–27 Regulation Status at a Glance

Safari Tariffs (Jeep / Elephant) No Change

Rates locked at 2025–26 levels for all domestic and international safari circuits.

Daily Vehicle Entry Caps Deferred

Strict daily jeep quotas deferred for ministerial stakeholder discussions.

Mobile Phones Inside Vehicles Pending PCCF Order

Silence zone enforcement rules awaiting final gazette guidelines before October.

Sunday Park Closure Pending PCCF Order

Weekly habitat rest proposal unclarified; pending forest department notification.

Safari Tariff & Policy Comparison (2025–26 vs 2026–27)

CategoryProposed RevisionFinal Decision for 2026–27
Jeep Safari TariffUpward hike (15–20%)Unchanged (Previous Season Rates)
Elephant Safari TariffUpward hikeUnchanged (Previous Season Rates)
Brahmaputra Boat SafariRevised fuel levyUnchanged
Future Policy DelegationImmediate rolloutAssigned to Minister Atul Bora (2027–28+)

Assam CM Address: Decision Highlights

In a video news address on September 2, 2026, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma reassured tourists and regional tour operators that the state will maintain previous season tariffs across all safari ranges for 2026–27.

For long-term policy adjustments from the 2027–28 season onward, the Chief Minister has delegated coordination responsibility to local Bokakhat MLA and Cabinet Minister Mr. Atul Bora, who will chair discussions with gypsy driver syndicates, lodge owners, and local eco-tourism societies.

Royal Bengal tiger standing in the golden alluvial grasslands in Burapahar Range, Kaziranga
Royal Bengal Tiger sighting in the grasslands of Burapahar Range PC: Trideeb Kalita

Judicial Context: Supreme Court Tiger Reserve Mandate

Discussions surrounding mobile phone restrictions and weekly closures stem from Supreme Court directives under the In Re Corbett (T.N. Godavarman) judgment mandating Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs), silence corridors, and strict Tiger Conservation Plans (TCP) in core tiger habitats across India.

The specific operational execution of these silence regulations at Kaziranga will be formalized when the PCCF office in Guwahati publishes the gazette notification ahead of the October opening.

Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros grazing peacefully in Kaziranga National Park
Greater One-horned Rhino in central wetland meadow · Protected habitat protocols in place PC: Jadumoni Goswami

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Kaziranga safari prices increase for the 2026–27 season?

No. On September 2, 2026, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that proposed price hikes will not apply to the 2026–27 season. Jeep, elephant, and boat safari rates remain identical to previous season rates.

Are mobile phones banned during Kaziranga safaris?

The proposed ban on mobile phone usage inside safari vehicles remains under review following Supreme Court tiger reserve silence zone directives. The final gazette notification from the PCCF office in Guwahati is awaited prior to the October 2026 reopening.

Will Kaziranga National Park be closed on Sundays?

The proposed Sunday weekly closure remains unclarified. Formal confirmation will be issued in the upcoming PCCF notification.

When will Kaziranga National Park reopen for 2026–27?

Kaziranga National Park is scheduled to reopen in October 2026 following post-monsoon road maintenance. Safari zones will open in phases across Kohora, Bagori, Agaratoli, and Burapahar.

Verified Field Sources

  • • News Video Clarification: Assam Chief Minister Media Statement (Sept 2, 2026) — Watch News Video
  • • Judicial Reference: Supreme Court of India In Re Corbett (T.N. Godavarman) Mandate — View Commentary
October 2026 Opening Advance Advisory

Plan & Lock In Your 2026–27 Safari Slots Early

With safari rates confirmed unchanged, demand for peak morning slots in Bagori and Kohora will surge upon opening. Pre-register your gypsy and elephant permits with our ground team.