Kaziranga looks close to Meghalaya on a map and is the most common add-on people ask about. It is also the one that most often turns a relaxed trip into four days in a car. Here is how far it really is, how many days you need for both, and when to leave it for another trip.
Quick answer
Kaziranga adds two long drives and needs two nights, so add it only if you have 8 days or more. Kaziranga is about 5 hours from Guwahati and 5.5 to 7 hours from Shillong, in the opposite direction from Cherrapunji and Dawki. With 5 or 6 days, choose one: either Meghalaya properly, or Kaziranga with a short Shillong visit. The park is open for the 2026–27 season: jeep safaris began on 3 October 2026 and elephant safaris on 2 November 2026, and the season normally runs until about mid-May. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
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On this page(9)ShowHide
- 1.Quick answer
- 2.Key facts at a glance
- 3.How far is Kaziranga from Shillong and from Guwahati?
- 4.Does adding Kaziranga mean too much driving?
- 5.How many days do I need for Meghalaya and Kaziranga together?
- 6.When is Kaziranga open, and how do the safaris work?
- 7.What if I only have 5 or 6 days?
- 8.How this works with a car and driver
- 9.Frequently asked questions
At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| Guwahati airport → Kaziranga | about 250 km · about 5 hours |
|---|---|
| Shillong → Kaziranga | 250–280 km · 5.5–7 hours |
| Nights needed at Kaziranga | 2 (one full day of safaris) |
| Meghalaya + Kaziranga | 8–10 days |
| With 5–6 days | Pick one, not both |
| Season | Open since 3 Oct 2026; usually closes around mid-May |
| Elephant safaris | From 2 Nov 2026, early morning, limited seats |
| Last checked | 13 November 2026 |
How far is Kaziranga from Shillong and from Guwahati?
Kaziranga is in Assam, east of Guwahati along the Brahmaputra. Meghalaya's sights are south of Shillong. The three points make a triangle, and every side of it is a half-day drive.
| From | To | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guwahati airport | Kaziranga (Kohora) | about 250 km | about 5 hours |
| Guwahati city | Kaziranga | about 200–220 km | 4–5 hours |
| Shillong | Kaziranga | 250–280 km | 5.5–7 hours |
| Guwahati airport | Shillong | 123 km | 3.5 – 4 hours |
| Shillong | Cherrapunji | 54 km | 1.5–2 hours |
Does adding Kaziranga mean too much driving?
With a week or less, yes. A safari needs you at the gate early in the morning, so Kaziranga costs two nights: you arrive one afternoon, do a morning and an afternoon safari the next day, and leave the morning after. Add the drive in and the drive out and Kaziranga takes most of three days.
Squeezed into a 5 or 6 day Meghalaya plan, something has to go, and it is usually Dawki or the second night in Cherrapunji. Travellers who try to keep everything report spending more time on the highway than at the places.
How many days do I need for Meghalaya and Kaziranga together?
Eight is the comfortable minimum. A plan that works:
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guwahati airport → Kaziranga (about 5 hours) | Kaziranga |
| 2 | Morning and afternoon safaris | Kaziranga |
| 3 | Kaziranga → Shillong (5.5–7 hours, lunch on the way) | Shillong |
| 4 | Shillong → Cherrapunji: waterfalls and caves | Cherrapunji |
| 5 | Cherrapunji: Double Decker trek or more viewpoints | Cherrapunji |
| 6 | Cherrapunji → Dawki and Mawlynnong → Shillong | Shillong |
| 7 | Shillong, Laitlum or Umiam Lake | Shillong |
| 8 | Shillong → Guwahati airport |
- Doing Kaziranga first gets the longest drive out of the way while you are fresh
- With 9 or 10 days, add a night at Shnongpdeng or a rest day in Shillong
- In reverse it works just as well; avoid putting Kaziranga in the middle
When is Kaziranga open, and how do the safaris work?
The park closes for the monsoon and reopens in autumn. For the 2026–27 season it reopened on 3 October 2026 with jeep safaris, and elephant safaris started on 2 November 2026 from the Kohora and Bagori ranges. Last season ran until the middle of May. Not every range opens on the same day, so check which ranges are open for your dates.
Jeep safaris run in a morning and an afternoon slot; elephant safaris are at dawn and have few seats, so they sell out first. Timings and fees differ between sources and change by season, so we do not quote them here: confirm both with your lodge, which can usually book the safaris for you.
What if I only have 5 or 6 days?
Pick one and do it well. For waterfalls, root bridges and the clear river, spend all of it in Meghalaya. If rhinos are the reason for the trip, do Kaziranga for two nights with one or two nights in Shillong and leave Cherrapunji and Dawki for next time. Trying to tick both in six days is the plan people regret.
How this works with a car and driver
Tour Meghalaya is a Meghalaya operator. Our cars and drivers cover the Meghalaya days and the Guwahati airport transfers (₹5,310 a day for a sedan, per car). For the Kaziranga leg, book the lodge and safaris directly or through the lodge, and tell us your dates so the car meets you where the Meghalaya part begins.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can Kaziranga be included in a Meghalaya trip?
Yes, with 8 days or more. Kaziranga needs two nights and is about 5 hours from Guwahati and 5.5 to 7 hours from Shillong. With 5 or 6 days it is better to choose either Meghalaya or Kaziranga.
How far is Kaziranga from Shillong?
About 250–280 km by road, 5.5 to 7 hours via Guwahati or Jorabat.
Is Kaziranga open now?
Yes. The 2026–27 season opened on 3 October 2026 with jeep safaris, and elephant safaris began on 2 November 2026. The park normally stays open until about mid-May and closes for the monsoon. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
Should I do Kaziranga before or after Meghalaya?
Either end works. Kaziranga first means the longest drive is done on day 1 and the trip ends with an easy run from Shillong to the airport. Do not put it in the middle of the Meghalaya days.
How many days are enough for Kaziranga?
Two nights: arrive in the afternoon, take a morning and an afternoon safari the next day, and leave the following morning.
Up nextHow Many Days Do You Need in Meghalaya?How many days for Meghalaya? 5 days minimum for Shillong, Cherrapunji & Dawki; 6–7 ideal; 10–14 for offbeat Garo Hills. Realistic day-by-day breakdown from a local operator.Read next (6 min) Keep reading
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