Located in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, Nameri National Park is at a distance of about 35 kilometres from Tezpur. It lies in the Sonitpur District of Assam and is adjacent to the Pakhui Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh. Together they encompass an area of more than 1000 sq km, laden with semi-evergreen deciduous forests and narrow strips of open grassland. If you have an inclination for bird-watching, it will leave you delighted with over 300 species of birds. Set up as a sanctuary in 1985, it got official recognition as a national park in 1998. It is home to a number of endangered species such as the White Winged Wood Duck, Sloth Bear, Tiger Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Sambar, Gaur, Indian Wild Dog, several varieties of Hornbill, and many other winged species. The White Winged Wood Duck is considered to be the prized possession of this national park. The flourishing presence of this species in the area got official confirmation in 1995. According to official data, the Park hosts 315 avian species. Nameri National Park is also largely inhabited by elephants. It is interesting to note that thanks to the lessening of forest cover, sometimes the elephants barge into the adjacent villages, which has made wildlife conservationists all across the world sit up and take notice. 

As far as the flora is concerned, Nameri National Park is inhabited by tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests, and narrow strips of open grassland lining the rivers. Gamari, Titachopa, Amari, Bogipoma, Ajar, Nahor, Simul, Bonsam, etc are some of the notable species. Declared as a Tiger Reserve in the year 1999-2000, Nameri came to be the second Tiger Reserve of Assam, the first being Manas Tiger Reserve. The lifeline of Nameri National park is in the form of the Jia-Bhoroli River, flowing along the southern boundary of the Park from North-West to South-East. The eastern side has the river Bor-Dikorai, a tributary of Jia-Bhoroli, flowing along the southern boundary from North-East to South-West.  

Sloth bear at Nameri National park

Activities in Nameri National Park

River rafting is one of the most popular activities here. Experience the gentle rapids of the Jia-Bhoroli River and spot birds such as Ibisbill and Long-billed Plover. Note that rafting is permitted only in the south-east of the park, starting at 13kms upstream. The approximate time taken for this activity (without any halts) is 3 hours. 

You can also take short walking trails inside Nameri National park, supervised by a forest guard. Make sure you exit Nameri National park before sunset. Many tourists cross the Jia-Bhoroli River by country followed by a walk inside Nameri National park. 

How to reach Nameri National Park

Plan a trip to Nameri National park and you won’t be disappointed! Safaris are a great way to make the most of your visit, leaving most tourists mesmerized by the rich fauna and lush flora of the site. Ample facilities are available to provide some adrenaline rush to adventure-seekers, including water rafting, fishing, and swimming. You can also opt to simply enjoy a peaceful stay and indulge in some sunbathing.

Here are the different ways in which one can reach the Nameri National park:

• By air: The nearest airport to Nameri National park is the Tezpur Airport, which is at a distance of about 30 km. You can avail a taxi to reach Nameri National park from the airport. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is approximately 91 km from here, and it offers flights from several major cities of India. 
• By road: Regular bus services operate on a daily basis to Nameri National park. Be it during the day or at night, you can take a bus from Guwahati, Tawang, Dibrugarh, and many other cities. Shared taxis or cabs are also available for the same route. 
• By rail: There is no direct rail connectivity to Nameri National park. If you reach Rangapara, the nearest railway station, you will have to commute the distance of 29 km via taxis or buses. 

Accommodation in Nameri National Park

Eco Camp is one of the most sought-after accommodation options in Nameri National park. It offers tents with colourful fabrics, where you can expect private bathrooms, sturdy beds, and thatched-roof shelters. Overall, Eco Camp promises a luxurious as well as adventurous stay. You can also avail dorm beds that are high value-for-money, and as far as food is concerned, you can satiate your taste buds at the open-sided restaurant. 

Best Time to Visit Nameri National Park

The best months to visit the Nameri National Park are from November to April. Summers are usually hot and humid, while winters can seem to veer on the harsher side. The monsoons bring in ample showers to this region, which might make it difficult for tourists to travel.  Tourists should take note of the fact that all the national parks are partially closed during the month of May and October.

Apart from Nameri National Park, Assam has several other national parks you should check out:

Top 4 National Parks in Assam

Orang National Park

Manas National Park

Kaziranga National Park

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

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