Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

After a thrilling ride on the Brahmaputra River cable car, we had some time to spare before heading to Shillong, so we decided to visit the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River.

A Glimpse into the History of Pobitora National Park:

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary wasn’t always a protected haven. Originally, it was a dense marshland surrounded by paddy fields and farmland, maintained by local villagers. They guarded it not only from outsiders but also from the rhinos, cattle, and wild bulls that roamed the area. It wasn't until 1971 that Pobitora officially became a reserved wooded area, thanks to the efforts of Assam’s tourism department and the local government. Over time, the rhino population faced significant threats due to poaching and other issues. To address this, the Assam Government, in collaboration with Indian tourism authorities, took swift action and declared Pobitora a wildlife sanctuary. Pobitora became an integral part of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020, a rhino-breeding program aimed at boosting the population of one-horned rhinos.

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:

Pobitora is famous for its dense population of one-horned rhinos, with around 107 of these majestic creatures calling the sanctuary home. In fact, it boasts the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world! Apart from rhinos, the sanctuary is also home to leopards, wild boars, barking deer, wild buffalo, and over 2,000 migratory birds, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

Timings: The sanctuary operates from 6:30 AM to 12 PM, and again from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Visitors can explore the sanctuary via Jeep Safari or the popular Elephant Safari, which runs at 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM.

We reached Pobitora by 1:30 PM, excited to witness the wildlife firsthand. But luck wasn't on our side. Upon arrival, we learned that the sanctuary was closed for maintenance and would remain shut for 10 days. Disappointed but still determined to make the most of our day, we continued our journey toward Shillong.

Just when we thought our chance of spotting rhinos was gone, luck turned around! Along the roadside, we were thrilled to spot a couple of rhinos grazing in the distance. The sight of these magnificent creatures up close was an unexpected treat and completely made our day.

On our way, we also had the chance to spot a Rufous Treepie, a beautiful bird native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. This member of the crow family added a splash of color to our wildlife adventure.

The best time to visit Pobitora to witness the rhinos is from November to April, when the weather is ideal and the wildlife is most active.

Despite missing the safari, we left Pobitora with smiles on our faces after spotting rhinos and a rare bird species. After snapping a few photos, we continued our journey toward Shillong, eager for the next chapter of our adventure.