Our Assam–Meghalaya Trip Day 2: Kaziranga Jeep Safari Experience & the Long Drive to Shillong

Day 2 was our only full day in Kaziranga, and we wanted to make the most of it before heading towards Meghalaya. Unlike elephant safaris, Kaziranga jeep safari timings are flexible, which worked in our favour after reaching late the previous night.

This day was about wildlife, real decisions on the ground, and a long Kaziranga to Shillong travel day—nothing rushed, just sequential and realistic.

Our Original Plan: Elephant Safari and Jeep Safari

When planning Day 2, we had initially kept both elephant safari and jeep safari on the itinerary.

A few important facts worth knowing:

Elephant safari happens very early, between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM
There are only two slots
It operates in the core zone, mostly around the Bagori Range
These slots are limited and strictly timed

However, two things influenced our decision:

We reached Kaziranga very late, around 11:30 PM–12:00 AM
Our kids were not very comfortable with the idea of elephant safari

Based on this, we decided to skip the elephant safari and focus only on the jeep safari, which gave us more flexibility.

A Comfortable Morning & Breakfast at the Resort

Since we had dropped the elephant safari plan, the morning was calmer.

Wake-up around 6:00–6:30 AM
Freshening up without hurry
Breakfast by 8:30–8:45 AM

After the previous day’s long travel, this pace felt right.

Kaziranga Jeep Safari Experience: Timings, Zones & What We Saw

One key thing we learnt during our Kaziranga safari experience is that jeep safaris are not time-bound like elephant safaris.

Entry is usually allowed between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
Evening slots follow a similar pattern
A jeep safari lasts around 2.5 to 3 hours

Jeep safaris operate across all four zones, but most people recommend:

Kohora Range
Bagori Range

We entered through the Kohora zone.

Kaziranga-jeep-safari-experience-mid-way-kaziranga — Kaziranga jeep safari experience

Rhino Spotting: Easier Than Most People Expect

One very interesting insight we gained—only after experiencing it ourselves—is this:

One-horned rhinos are not like tigers.

They don’t change locations frequently
They don’t roam unpredictably
Most guides roughly know where they can be spotted

Because of this, spotting rhinos in Kaziranga is not particularly difficult.

Wildlife We Saw During the Safari

Almost immediately after entering the zone, we spotted:

Three rhinos, initially at a distance
Over the course of the safari, we spotted rhinos at least ten times
One rhino was especially close—about 200 metres away across a riverbank

Along with rhinos, we also saw:

Many elephants
Deer
Monkeys
Other wildlife going about their routine

Crossing rivers, rugged bridges, and tall grasslands made the safari genuinely enjoyable.

Binoculars: Our Honest Take

We rented binoculars mainly for the kids.

Actual cost (24/01/2026):

Jeep Safari – ₹3,500
Binocular rental – ₹300

Honest opinion:

If you’re not a serious wildlife or birdwatching enthusiast, binoculars aren’t really necessary
Rhinos and elephants are easily visible without them
Using binoculars while the jeep is moving is not very practical

We didn’t use them much, so while they weren’t useless, they weren’t essential either.

Wrapping Up the Safari & Moving Towards Shillong

The safari lasted close to three hours. By around 12:00–12:30 PM, we exited the zone, had tea, and prepared for the next leg of the journey.

From here on, the day became a pure travel day.

Kaziranga to Shillong: A Full Travel Day

We started our journey towards Shillong.

Travel time: approximately 7 hours
Very limited sightseeing en route
Mostly a continuous drive

By the time we approached Shillong, Umiam Lake was already closed (around 5:30 PM), so we couldn’t stop there.

Effectively, the second half of Day 2 was entirely spent travelling.

Reaching Shillong: End of a Long Day

Once we reached Shillong, there was nothing planned—and honestly, nothing required.

The day had already been full:

Wildlife in the morning
Long-distance travel in the afternoon and evening

We checked in, had food, and rested.

What Day 2 Helped Us Understand

Day 2 gave us clarity rather than stress.

✔️ Jeep safari in Kaziranga is flexible and easy to plan
✔️ Rhino sightings are frequent and reliable
✔️ Kaziranga to Shillong works as a transition day
❌ Kaziranga is best included only if you’re comfortable with long travel hours

This isn’t about right or wrong planning—it’s about knowing what the day will actually feel like.

Looking Ahead to Day 3

Day 3 was when Meghalaya truly began for us:

Shillong sightseeing
Viewpoints and activities
Clearly defined entry fees
A slower, more experiential pace
Head to Cherrapunji

Final Thoughts on Day 2

Day 2 was practical, predictable, and grounded.

Kaziranga delivered an excellent wildlife experience.
The jeep safari was smooth and well-paced.
The drive to Shillong reminded us just how vast this region is.

This journey, documented through Lazy Yatra, is meant to help travellers plan realistically, not optimistically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is elephant safari mandatory in Kaziranga?

No. Elephant safari has very early and limited slots. Jeep safari is flexible and sufficient for most travellers.

Is it easy to spot rhinos during a Kaziranga jeep safari?

Yes. One-horned rhinos don’t move frequently, and guides usually know where they can be found.

Can Kaziranga be included in a 5–6 day Assam Meghalaya trip?

It is possible, but travel time is significant and should be planned carefully.

Can we avail Jeep Safari without Pre Booking?

Park has almost 300 odd Jeeps, and usually there are less number of tourists as of 2026. Jeeps can be mostly book post arrival to Kaziranga with the help driver, hotel or at the forest counter.

Ham 4 – Mid Way Rest Kaziranga Jeep Safari