Raimona National Park, in Kokrajhar district of western Assam, is the newest and least-visited of the state’s national parks — a wall of Himalayan-foothill forest running up to the Bhutan border. If you have already done the grasslands of Kaziranga and Manas and want somewhere quieter, where golden langurs move through the canopy and the blue hills of Bhutan rise beyond the treeline, this is where to point the car.
Raimona National Park is a 422 sq km protected forest in Kokrajhar district, in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region, notified in 2021 as the state’s sixth national park. It protects golden langurs, elephants and clouded leopards in contiguous foothill forest adjoining Bhutan, and the best months to visit are November to April.
Key takeaways
- Raimona National Park was announced on 5 June 2021 and gazetted on 9 June 2021 as Assam’s sixth national park; it covers 422 sq km in Kokrajhar district, according to the Kokrajhar district administration and the Bodoland tourism department.
- The park is a stronghold of the endangered golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), the mascot of the Bodoland region; sightings are good in the evergreen patches but, as with all wild primates, never guaranteed.
- The best season is November to April; the Kachugaon Forest Division advises against monsoon visits, when heavy rain and rivers make the forest tracks difficult.
- Raimona is about 53 km from Kokrajhar town; the nearest railhead is Kokrajhar (about 49 km), the nearest airport is Rupsi near Dhubri (about 70 km), and Guwahati is about 253 km away (district administration figures).
- Entry and guided safaris are arranged through the Kachugaon Forest Range Office; no standard online tariff was published as of October 2026, so reconfirm fees and timings with the Forest Division or BTR before you travel.
- Raimona adjoins Bhutan’s Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and forms the western edge of the Greater Manas landscape, part of a transboundary forest block of more than 2,400 sq km with Buxa in West Bengal.
Raimona National Park at a glance
Raimona National Park is a 422 sq km block of semi-evergreen and deciduous forest in the Gossaigaon subdivision of Kokrajhar district, in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). According to the Kokrajhar district administration, the land runs from about 85 m to 1,042 m above sea level along the southern foothills of the Eastern Himalaya.
The park was the first national park notified in the BTR after the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord, and the Bodoland tourism department says it is named after the historic capital of the old Bijni estate. It is managed by the Kachugaon Forest Division through four ranges: the Eastern (Athiabari) Range, the Sanfan Range, the Central (Kochugaon) Range and the Western (Raimona) Range.
Raimona sits at the western end of the Greater Manas landscape, acting as the westernmost buffer to the Manas Tiger Reserve. The India–Bhutan border forms its northern edge, so most of your sightlines end in the dark ridgelines of Bhutan.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Assam’s 6th national park; announced 5 June 2021, gazetted 9 June 2021 |
| Area | 422 sq km |
| Location | Gossaigaon subdivision, Kokrajhar district, Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam |
| Altitude | About 85 m to 1,042 m (279 ft to 3,419 ft) |
| Managed by | Kachugaon Forest Division, under the BTR administration |
| Flagship species | Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) |
| Best season | November to April |
| Nearest town | Gossaigaon (about 18 km); Kokrajhar (about 53 km) |
Golden langurs and the wildlife of Raimona
The golden langur is the animal most visitors come to Raimona to see, and the park is one of its most important Indian strongholds. The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is a cream-to-gold leaf-eating monkey listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, found only in western Assam and the adjoining Bhutan foothills. The Manas River marks the eastern edge of its range and the Sankosh (Sonkosh) River the western edge, which puts Raimona near the heart of its distribution.
Honest expectations matter here. A firsthand account in Sanctuary magazine describes seeing the first golden langurs on entering an evergreen patch, but notes that most of Raimona’s animals are shy and not habituated to vehicles — a gaur bolted before it could be photographed, and chital scattered. Treat a golden langur sighting as likely rather than certain, go early, keep quiet, and let a trained guide read the canopy.
Beyond the langur, the Bodoland tourism department and press reports list Asian elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, Indian gaur (bison), wild water buffalo, spotted deer (chital), dhole (Indian wild dog), Chinese pangolin and hornbills. EastMojo, reporting on the 2021 notification, recorded more than 150 butterfly species, around 170 bird species and about 380 plant species across eleven forest types. In 2025, scientists reported a rare Begonia species new to the park, a sign of how little of this forest has been catalogued.
| Species / group | Where / notes | Chance of a sighting |
|---|---|---|
| Golden langur | Evergreen and mixed canopy patches; the park’s flagship | Good, not guaranteed |
| Asian elephant | Forest trails; Raimona lies on a historic elephant range | Occasional |
| Clouded leopard | Recorded resident; nocturnal and elusive | Very rare |
| Indian gaur, chital, wild buffalo | Forest edges and clearings; wary of vehicles | Fair |
| Hornbills and forest birds | About 170 bird species recorded (EastMojo, 2021) | Good for birders |
| Butterflies and orchids | 150+ butterfly species; orchids on old trees | Seasonal, good post-monsoon |
The Transboundary Manas landscape and Bhutan
Raimona is the Indian piece of a much larger cross-border forest that stretches into Bhutan and West Bengal. The park shares a contiguous forest edge with Bhutan’s Phibsoo (Phipsoo) Wildlife Sanctuary and the forests around Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park to the north, and with the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal to the west. The Bodoland tourism department describes this joined-up block as covering more than 2,400 sq km.
This connectivity is the point. Animals such as elephants, tigers and golden langurs do not recognise borders, and an unbroken forest lets them move between India and Bhutan as the seasons change. Conservationists quoted by EastMojo at the time of notification called the move “of huge conservation significance, strengthening the Greater Manas Landscape”, and noted that it helps the long-running case for extending the Manas World Heritage site.
For a traveller, the practical effect is scenery and quiet. From many points in the Central and Western ranges you look straight into the Bhutan hills, and because Raimona has no large grasslands like Manas or Kaziranga, the mood is of deep, layered forest rather than open savanna.
Best time to visit Raimona National Park
The best time to visit Raimona National Park is November to April, when the rain has eased, the rivers are low enough to cross and the forest tracks are usable. The Bodoland tourism department recommends the cooler, drier months and specifically advises against the monsoon, when heavy rain and humidity make the interior hard to reach.
Winter (November to February) is the most comfortable window for wildlife-watching, with clear views of the Bhutan hills on good mornings. March and April are warmer but still workable and good for butterflies and flowering orchids. From roughly late May to September the forest is wet, leeches are active and parts of the park may be closed or unreachable, so plan for the dry season.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | November–February | Cool, dry, best visibility; most comfortable for safaris and birding |
| Spring / pre-summer | March–April | Warmer; good for butterflies and orchids; still generally accessible |
| Monsoon | May–September | Heavy rain, swollen rivers, leeches; tracks often impassable — avoid |
| Early autumn | October | Transition month; forest drying out, access improving late in the month |
How to reach Raimona National Park
Raimona National Park is reached overland from Kokrajhar or Gossaigaon, with the forest entry at the Kachugaon Forest Range Office. The Kokrajhar district administration gives the distance as about 53 km from Kokrajhar town and about 253 km from Guwahati; a firsthand safari account puts the nearest hotels at Gossaigaon, roughly 18 km from the park. For orientation on routes and seasons across the state, see our Assam travel guide.
By air: The nearest airport is Rupsi, near Dhubri, about 70 km from the park, which the Airports Authority of India operates and which flybig has connected to Guwahati and Kolkata since 2021 — confirm current flights before relying on it. Most visitors instead fly into Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, about 253 km away, and drive; our Guwahati travel guide covers arrivals and onward transport.
By rail: The nearest railhead is Kokrajhar (station code KOJ), about 49 km from the park, on the main Northeast Frontier Railway line. New Bongaigaon, a larger junction further east, is another option with wider connections. From either, continue by road via Gossaigaon and Kachugaon.
By road: From Kokrajhar or Gossaigaon, hire a taxi to the Kachugaon Forest Range Office; local buses and shared vehicles serve the main towns, but the last stretch to the forest is best done by a hired or forest vehicle.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gossaigaon town | About 18 km | Nearest hotels; practical overnight base |
| Kokrajhar town / railhead (KOJ) | About 49–53 km | Nearest railhead; taxis available |
| Rupsi Airport (near Dhubri) | About 70 km | Limited flights; reconfirm schedule |
| Guwahati (airport / city) | About 253 km | Main air gateway; full-day drive |
Safari, permits and entry
Entry to Raimona is through the Kachugaon Forest Range Office, where visitors meet a guide before a vehicle safari into the ranges. As of October 2026, the Kachugaon Forest Division had not published a standard online entry or safari tariff, so any figure you see quoted by a tour operator should be treated as an indicative planning estimate and reconfirmed directly with the Forest Division or the BTR tourism office before you travel.
Raimona is an inland forest park in a general tourist area, so no Inner Line Permit or special area permit applies to Indian or foreign visitors for the park itself, unlike some other Northeast destinations. You will, however, need to arrange a forest guide and permitted vehicle through the range office, and safaris run only in daylight. Carry a photo ID.
A point in Raimona’s favour is who runs the tourism. Press reports describe a community ecotourism roadmap drawn up with the Association for Conservation and Tourism, and note that dozens of former poachers now work as guides, drivers and homestay hosts — so booking local directly supports conservation.
A suggested two-day itinerary
Two days is enough to see Raimona well without rushing, because the forest rewards slow, early starts rather than long distances. Keep the plan loose and weather-dependent.
- Day 1: Reach Gossaigaon or Kokrajhar by rail or road and settle in. Drive out to the Kachugaon Forest Range Office in the afternoon to confirm your guide, vehicle and the next morning’s safari, and to get a feel for the forest edge at dusk.
- Day 2: Start at first light for a full-morning safari through the Central and Western ranges, watching the canopy for golden langurs and the trails for elephant sign. Break in the middle of the day, then take a shorter evening drive or a riverside walk before heading back to base. If you have a spare day, add a trip to Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary near Kokrajhar.
Where to stay
Accommodation at Raimona itself is limited, so most visitors stay in Gossaigaon, about 18 km away, or in Kokrajhar town. The Sanctuary account specifically notes that there are few options at the park and that travellers base themselves in Gossaigaon hotels, or visit on a day trip from Manas or Buxa.
In Gossaigaon and Kokrajhar you will find simple hotels and lodges rather than resorts. Community homestays have begun to appear as part of the ecotourism programme, and staying in one puts money directly into local Bodo households; ask the range office or BTR tourism for current, vetted options. Book ahead in winter, as rooms in these small towns are few.
- Budget: basic hotels and lodges in Gossaigaon and Kokrajhar.
- Mid-range: a handful of better town hotels in Kokrajhar.
- Homestays: community-run rooms near the park; verify through the Forest Division or BTR tourism.
Food to try
Food around Raimona is simple, home-style Bodo and Assamese cooking rather than a restaurant scene. Expect rice as the base of almost every meal, with fish, chicken or pork and seasonal greens. Carry your own water and snacks for the forest, as there is nothing to buy inside the park.
Dishes worth trying in Kokrajhar and Gossaigaon include onla (a Bodo curry thickened with rice powder and flavoured with alkali), fresh river fish, pitha (rice-flour cakes, sweet or savoury) and the ubiquitous rice-and-greens thali. Many Bodo kitchens use local herbs and bamboo shoot; if you eat with a homestay family you will get the best version.
What a Raimona trip costs
A no-frills two-day Raimona trip is inexpensive by national-park standards, mainly because there are no luxury lodges and distances are short. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for one person, as of October 2026, and must be reconfirmed — the Forest Division’s safari and entry charges in particular were not published online at the time of writing.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night) | ₹800–₹2,500 | Budget to mid-range room in Gossaigaon/Kokrajhar, per night, shared by two |
| Forest entry + guide + vehicle | Reconfirm with Forest Division | No standard online tariff published; arrange at Kachugaon range office |
| Local transport | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | Taxi from Kokrajhar/Gossaigaon and back, shared |
| Food (2 days) | ₹500–₹1,000 | Local meals and snacks |
| Buffer / incidentals | ₹500–₹1,000 | Tips, water, entry contingencies |
Add the long-distance travel to reach the region (train or flight to Guwahati/Kokrajhar), which varies with how you come. Because the safari cost is the biggest unknown, build in a margin and confirm it when you book your guide.
Practical tips and safety
Raimona is remote, so plan for thin infrastructure and carry what you need. Mobile network and data can be patchy inside the forest and weak in the smaller villages, so download maps offline and tell someone your plan. Draw cash in Kokrajhar before heading out; UPI and card acceptance are reliable in the towns but not at the forest edge, and there are no ATMs at the park.
- Health: the main hospitals are in Kokrajhar and Gossaigaon; carry a basic kit, any personal medicines and mosquito repellent. There is no altitude concern — the park is low foothill country.
- Wildlife safety: stay in the vehicle, keep quiet, do not feed or crowd animals, and follow your guide near elephant trails. Storms can roll in fast off the Bhutan hills, as the Sanctuary account found — start early and be ready to turn back.
- Solo women travellers: the towns are generally calm, but the forest is isolated; go with a registered guide and vehicle, travel in daylight and avoid solo forest entry.
- Packing: in winter carry layers for cold mornings; in the shoulder months bring rain cover, closed shoes, leech socks and neutral-coloured clothes. Binoculars help enormously for the canopy.
- Eco rules: carry out all plastic, keep to permitted tracks, and do not play music or use flash near wildlife.
Nearby places
Raimona pairs naturally with the other protected areas of the Greater Manas landscape, so you can build a longer western-Assam wildlife loop. The most obvious add-on is Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, another golden langur refuge barely 6 km from Kokrajhar town, and Manas National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage tiger reserve that Raimona buffers on its western side. For the wider circuit, our Assam travel guide sets out how these fit together.
| Place | Distance / location | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary | About 6 km from Kokrajhar town | India’s second golden langur stronghold; easy half-day trip |
| Manas National Park | East, in the Greater Manas landscape (Baksa/Chirang) | UNESCO World Heritage tiger reserve with grasslands and rhinos |
| Kokrajhar town | About 53 km | Bodoland hub; markets, food and the main transport base |
| Bhutan border area | North of the park | Forest-and-foothill views; border formalities apply to cross |
| Buxa Tiger Reserve (West Bengal) | West, across the landscape | Connected forest block; another wildlife base |
Frequently asked questions
Is Raimona National Park worth visiting?
Raimona is worth visiting if you want quiet foothill forest and golden langurs rather than big-game grasslands. As Assam’s newest national park, notified in 2021, it has few crowds, strong community ecotourism and views into Bhutan. Sightings are shy, so come for the forest and the langurs, not guaranteed tiger photos.
How do I reach Raimona National Park?
Reach Raimona overland via Kokrajhar or Gossaigaon, entering at the Kachugaon Forest Range Office. The park is about 53 km from Kokrajhar, whose railway station (KOJ) is the nearest railhead. The nearest airport is Rupsi (about 70 km); most visitors fly to Guwahati, about 253 km away, and drive.
Will I see golden langurs at Raimona?
Your chances of seeing golden langurs at Raimona are good but not guaranteed. The park is a key stronghold of the endangered golden langur, and visitors often spot them in the evergreen canopy, especially early in the day. The animals are shy and wild, so patience, a quiet approach and a trained guide help most.
What is the best time to visit Raimona National Park?
The best time to visit Raimona is November to April, during the cool, dry season when forest tracks are passable. Winter offers the clearest views and most comfortable safaris; March and April suit butterflies and orchids. Avoid the May–September monsoon, when heavy rain, swollen rivers and leeches make much of the park unreachable.
Do I need a permit for Raimona National Park?
No Inner Line Permit is needed for Raimona itself; it is an inland forest park open to Indian and foreign visitors. You do need to arrange a forest guide and permitted vehicle through the Kachugaon Forest Range Office, and safaris run only in daylight. As of October 2026 no standard online tariff was published, so reconfirm fees locally.
What wildlife lives in Raimona National Park?
Raimona protects golden langurs, Asian elephants, clouded leopards, Indian gaur, wild water buffalo, spotted deer, dhole, Chinese pangolin and hornbills. Reporting at the 2021 notification recorded more than 150 butterfly species, around 170 bird species and about 380 plant species across eleven forest types. Most mammals are shy and best seen on early morning safaris.
Last updated and sources
Raimona suits wildlife travellers who value quiet forest and primates over guaranteed big-game sightings, and conservation-minded visitors who want their money to reach local Bodo communities. Go in the November-to-April dry season, start early, and keep expectations honest.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Kokrajhar district administration, Raimona National Park tourist page (kokrajhar.assam.gov.in); Bodoland tourism department, Raimona National Park (tourism.bodoland.gov.in); EastMojo, “Raimona National Park notified, Greater Manas gets more protection”, 16 June 2021 (eastmojo.com) and “Scientists identify rare Begonia species in Raimona”, 2025; Sanctuary Nature Foundation, “Raimona’s Shy Creatures” (sanctuarynaturefoundation.org); EastMojo, “Assam: planned conservation strategy key to restore Raimona”, 17 July 2023, and ETV Bharat on former poachers turned guides; Wikipedia / Journal of Threatened Taxa on Gee’s golden langur status and range; Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary official pages (Kokrajhar/Dhubri district administration); Airports Authority of India / Wikipedia on Rupsi Airport operations. Accessed September 2026.
