Kakoijana Reserve Forest, in Bongaigaon district, Assam, is one of the last strongholds of the golden langur, a rare monkey found only in western Assam and neighbouring Bhutan. The forest sits on low hills near Abhayapuri, within sight of the Indo-Bhutan borderlands, and draws a small number of wildlife watchers who come mainly for the langurs. This guide covers how to reach it, what to expect, and the facts you should reconfirm before you go.
Kakoijana Reserve Forest is a 17.24 sq km protected forest near Abhayapuri in Bongaigaon district, Assam, best known as a golden langur habitat. It is reached from New Bongaigaon railhead, about 15 km to the west, and is best visited in the cooler, drier months.
Key takeaways
- Kakoijana is a reserved forest of about 17.24 sq km, declared on 29 April 1966 under the Aie Valley Forest Division; as of November 2026 it had not been finally notified as a wildlife sanctuary.
- It is a golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) habitat; the district administration and Wikipedia cite around 450 langurs here, a species the IUCN Red List rates Endangered.
- The nearest major railhead is New Bongaigaon Junction, roughly 15 km away; Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is about 150-185 km by road.
- There is no verified published entry fee or formal safari ticket; visits are low-key forest walks, usually with a local guide arranged informally.
- Assam does not require an Inner Line Permit, so no special permit is needed to enter the district.
- The cooler, drier window of roughly November to March is the most comfortable time for forest walks; the June-September monsoon is wet and best avoided.
About Kakoijana Reserve Forest
Kakoijana Reserve Forest is a hilly reserved forest of about 17.24 sq km near Abhayapuri in Bongaigaon district, western Assam. The Bongaigaon district administration describes it as lying about 15 km east of Bongaigaon town, on the bank of the Aie river, and says it was declared a reserved forest on 29 April 1966 under the Aie Valley Forest Division.
The forest is a mix of low hills, patches of semi-evergreen and deciduous trees, bamboo and climbers. A small hill spring called Kalikapat runs through it toward the surrounding paddy fields. The district site also notes an old Shiva temple on one of the hills. Do not confuse Kakoijana with the larger national parks of Assam; it is a compact community-surrounded forest, not a big-cat reserve.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kakoijana Reserve Forest (sometimes spelt Kokoijana) |
| Location | Near Abhayapuri, Bongaigaon district, Assam |
| Area | About 17.24 sq km (district administration; Wikipedia) |
| Declared reserved forest | 29 April 1966 |
| Forest division | Aie Valley Forest Division |
| Headline species | Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) |
| Approx. coordinates | 26.456°N, 90.632°E (Wikipedia) |
| Nearest major railhead | New Bongaigaon Junction (about 15 km) |
Reserved forest or sanctuary? The current status
As of November 2026, Kakoijana remained a reserved forest and had not been finally notified as a wildlife sanctuary, despite a long-running proposal. This is an important point for travellers, because online descriptions sometimes call it a sanctuary. The legal status affects who manages access and what rules apply.
According to NorthEast Now (October 2025), the move to upgrade Kakoijana to a “Kakoijana-Bamuni Hill Wildlife Sanctuary” has been discussed since the 1990s and stalled. A preliminary notification for a sanctuary of about 19.85 sq km was issued around January-February 2022, but many villagers in the surrounding area opposed it, arguing that stricter rules under the Wild Life (Protection) Act would curtail their customary rights. The same report says the State Board for Wildlife, at its 16th meeting, recommended exploring a Conservation Reserve instead of a sanctuary.
Because the final outcome was unconfirmed at the time of writing, treat the “reserved forest” label as current and reconfirm the status and any access rules with the Aie Valley Forest Division or the Bongaigaon district administration before you travel.
The golden langur, Kakoijana’s headline species
The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is the reason most visitors come to Kakoijana, a cream-to-golden-coated monkey found only in western Assam and neighbouring Bhutan. It was brought to scientific attention by the naturalist E. P. Gee in the 1950s and formally described in 1956; the species is named after him.
The IUCN Red List classifies the golden langur as Endangered, and it is listed in CITES Appendix I and Schedule I of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Conservation groups frequently list it among the world’s most threatened primates. Its main threats are habitat fragmentation, road accidents, dog attacks and electrocution from low-hanging power lines; NorthEast Now reported langur deaths by electrocution near Kakoijana in December 2024 and August 2025.
On numbers, the Bongaigaon district site and Wikipedia cite around 450 golden langurs at Kakoijana. A wider India-level survey summarised in the press in early 2025 put the national golden langur population at about 7,396; treat that national figure as an indicative survey estimate rather than a precise count. Local people have run plantation drives and built artificial canopy bridges since 2019 to help the troops move safely between tree patches.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Trachypithecus geei |
| Range | Western Assam and Bhutan only |
| IUCN Red List status | Endangered |
| Legal protection | CITES Appendix I; WPA 1972 Schedule I |
| Named after | Naturalist E. P. Gee (described 1956) |
| Main threats | Habitat fragmentation, roads, dogs, electrocution |
Best time to visit
The most comfortable time to walk in Kakoijana is the cooler, drier stretch of roughly November to March, when trails are firmer and sightings are easier. Assam’s monsoon, broadly June to September, brings heavy rain, leeches and slippery hill paths, so plan around it. The pre-monsoon months of April and May are hot and increasingly humid.
Langurs are most active in the cooler parts of the day, so aim for early morning. The table below is general planning guidance for a lowland western-Assam forest rather than a fee or timing schedule; reconfirm local conditions before you travel.
| Window | Conditions | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Nov-Feb | Cool and dry, pleasant days | Best for forest walks and langur watching |
| Mar | Warming, still mostly dry | Good; start early to beat the heat |
| Apr-May | Hot, rising humidity | Fair; short early-morning visits |
| Jun-Sep | Monsoon, heavy rain, leeches | Best avoided for trekking |
| Oct | Rain easing, green and fresh | Good as the dry season begins |
How to reach Kakoijana Reserve Forest
The simplest way to reach Kakoijana is to get to Bongaigaon by train and drive the last short stretch toward Abhayapuri. The forest lies about 15 km from Bongaigaon town, according to the district administration, and is not served by any direct long-distance public transport of its own.
By rail: New Bongaigaon Junction (station code NBQ) is the nearest major railhead and, per Wikipedia, one of the largest stations in north-east India, on the Barauni-Guwahati line of Northeast Frontier Railway. It is well connected to Guwahati (roughly 180 km by rail, about three hours on faster services) and to the rest of India. There are also smaller stations at Bongaigaon and Abhayapuri; check live timetables on IRCTC or NTES for current trains.
By air: The main gateway is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati, about 150-185 km away by road (sources vary; allow roughly 3-4 hours). Rupsi Airport near Gauripur in Dhubri district is closer and serves the Bongaigaon area; the Assam Tribune reported that flights to Guwahati and Kolkata resumed from Rupsi in October 2024 under the UDAN scheme, initially about three a week. Reconfirm current Rupsi flights, as the schedule has changed before.
By road: Bongaigaon sits on National Highway 27, the main east-west corridor through western Assam, with buses and shared vehicles from Guwahati and other towns. From Bongaigaon or Abhayapuri, hire a local taxi or auto for the final stretch to the forest edge.
| From | Distance | Typical time | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bongaigaon town | ~15 km | ~30 min | Taxi/auto |
| New Bongaigaon Jn (NBQ) | ~15-20 km | ~30-40 min | Taxi |
| Guwahati (city/airport) | ~150-185 km | ~3-4 hr | Road; or ~3 hr by train to Bongaigaon |
| Rupsi Airport (Dhubri) | Serves the district | Reconfirm | Air + road |
Things to see and do
The main thing to do at Kakoijana is a slow guided forest walk to look for golden langurs in the canopy. There is no verified ticketed safari circuit; this is quiet, on-foot wildlife watching rather than a jeep park, so bring patience, binoculars and a telephoto lens.
- Golden langur watching: The headline activity. Early morning on the forest tracks gives the best chance of seeing troops feeding or moving through the trees.
- Birds and other wildlife: The district administration lists hornbills, jungle fowl, lesser adjutant storks and more, alongside mammals such as leopard, pangolin, barking deer, civets and binturong. Most are elusive; birds are the easier sightings.
- The hill Shiva temple: The district site mentions an old Shiva temple on one of the hills, a short local detour for those interested.
- Canopy bridges and conservation story: Ask your guide about the community plantation work and artificial canopy bridges built to help langurs cross gaps between tree patches.
| Spot / experience | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Golden langur walk | Guided on-foot langur watching | 2-3 hours (early morning) |
| Birding | Hornbills, storks, jungle fowl and more | 1-2 hours |
| Hill Shiva temple | Small local shrine on a hill | About 1 hour |
| Aie river edge | Riverside and paddy-field scenery | Flexible |
A suggested short itinerary
Kakoijana works best as a half-day or one-day add-on while travelling through western Assam, rather than a standalone multi-day trip. A simple plan:
- Day before: Reach Bongaigaon by train or road; stay overnight in town and arrange a local guide and vehicle for an early start.
- Morning: Drive to the forest edge for sunrise; spend two to three hours walking slowly and watching for langurs and birds.
- Late morning: Visit the hill temple or the Aie river edge, then return to Bongaigaon for lunch.
- Afternoon: Continue your journey, or combine with nearby western-Assam stops if you have more time.
If you are building a longer route, Kakoijana pairs naturally with other stops on an Assam travel guide itinerary.
Where to stay
The practical base for Kakoijana is Bongaigaon town, which has the district’s main cluster of hotels and guesthouses; there is no verified tourist lodge inside the forest itself. Expect simple to mid-range town hotels rather than resorts. Book ahead during festival periods and the winter travel season.
- Budget: Basic lodges and guesthouses in Bongaigaon town, indicative estimate around ₹800-1,500 a night.
- Mid-range: Standard town hotels with air-conditioning, indicative estimate around ₹1,500-3,000 a night.
- Homestays: Ask locally or through conservation groups about village homestays near the forest; availability is limited and informal.
All room rates above are indicative planning estimates for November 2026 and should be reconfirmed at the time of booking, as tariffs vary by season and property.
Food to try
Food around Bongaigaon is everyday Assamese home cooking rather than a tourist restaurant scene. Meals centre on rice with light, less-spiced curries. Look out for:
- Bhat with masor jhol (steamed rice with a light fish curry) – the regional staple.
- Khar (an alkaline preparation traditionally made with a vegetable and filtered ash water) – a distinctive Assamese dish.
- Pitha (rice-flour cakes, often with jaggery or sesame) – common around the Bihu festivals.
- Aloo pitika (mashed potato with mustard oil, onion and chilli) – a simple, reliable side.
Carry your own water and snacks for the forest walk, as there are no reliable food stalls at the forest edge.
Budget estimate
A no-frills one-night, one-morning trip from Bongaigaon is inexpensive, since there is no verified entry fee and the main cost is local transport and a guide. The table below is an indicative planning estimate per person for two people sharing, assuming you already reached Bongaigaon; reconfirm all figures locally.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Town stay (1 night, shared) | 400-1,500 | Budget to mid-range, split between two |
| Local taxi/auto to forest and back | 500-1,200 | Shared; depends on vehicle and waiting time |
| Local guide | 300-800 | Arranged informally; tip fairly |
| Meals and water | 200-500 | Local eateries |
| Indicative total | ~1,400-4,000 | Excludes travel to Bongaigaon |
These are planning estimates only; no official tariff for guiding or entry was verified for this guide.
Permits and rules
No Inner Line Permit is required to visit Kakoijana, because Assam is not among the north-eastern states that require an ILP. Indian and foreign visitors can enter the district freely. There is no verified formal visitor permit system for the reserved forest itself, but you should still treat it as a protected area and follow forest-department guidance.
- Keep a safe distance from langurs and never feed them; feeding changes their behaviour and draws them toward roads and houses.
- Carry out all litter; avoid single-use plastic inside the forest.
- Do not play loud music or make loud noise that disturbs wildlife.
- For drone photography, seek permission from the Aie Valley Forest Division first, as reserved forests are sensitive areas and rules can change.
Because the area’s legal status may change if the sanctuary or conservation-reserve proposal advances, confirm current access rules with forest officials before visiting.
Practical tips
Treat Kakoijana as a low-infrastructure forest visit and prepare accordingly. Bongaigaon town has the nearest reliable facilities, so stock up there before heading to the forest.
- Connectivity and cash: Mobile network is generally fine in Bongaigaon town but can be patchy at the forest edge. Draw cash and confirm UPI works in town; do not assume card or digital payments at the forest.
- Medical: The main hospitals are in Bongaigaon town; carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medication.
- Guide: Hire a local guide; they know the tracks, improve your chances of a sighting and support the local conservation economy.
- Solo women travellers: Western Assam is generally straightforward for day visits; stick to daylight hours for the forest, keep someone informed of your plan and prefer a known local guide or driver.
- Packing: In winter, layers and a light jacket for cool mornings; in the shoulder months, light cottons, a hat and water. In any damp conditions, closed walking shoes and leech protection. Add binoculars, a telephoto lens and insect repellent year-round.
If you are routing through the state capital, our Guwahati travel guide covers onward transport and overnight options.
Nearby places
Kakoijana is best combined with other western-Assam stops, since it is a short visit on its own. Distances below are approximate; confirm current road conditions.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Bongaigaon town | ~15 km | Base for stay, food and transport |
| Abhayapuri | Nearby | The local town closest to the forest |
| Manas National Park | Regional day-plus trip | UNESCO-listed tiger reserve and golden langur habitat (reconfirm distance and route) |
| Guwahati | ~150-185 km | State capital and main air/rail gateway |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kakoijana a wildlife sanctuary or a reserved forest?
Kakoijana is a reserved forest, not a finally notified wildlife sanctuary, as of November 2026. A proposal to upgrade it to the “Kakoijana-Bamuni Hill Wildlife Sanctuary” has been discussed for years and a preliminary notification was issued around 2022, but it was contested locally. Reconfirm the current legal status before you travel.
What animal is Kakoijana Reserve Forest famous for?
Kakoijana is famous for the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), an Endangered monkey found only in western Assam and Bhutan. The Bongaigaon district administration and Wikipedia cite around 450 golden langurs in the forest. It also shelters birds such as hornbills and storks and mammals including barking deer and pangolin.
How do I reach Kakoijana Reserve Forest?
Reach Kakoijana via New Bongaigaon Junction, the nearest major railhead, about 15 km from the forest near Abhayapuri in Bongaigaon district. The main airport is Guwahati, roughly 150-185 km by road; Rupsi Airport near Dhubri is closer but has limited flights. From Bongaigaon town, hire a local taxi for the final stretch.
Do I need a permit to visit Kakoijana?
No Inner Line Permit is needed, because Assam does not require one for Indian or foreign visitors. There is no verified formal visitor permit for the reserved forest itself, but treat it as a protected area and follow forest-department rules. For drone use, seek permission from the Aie Valley Forest Division first.
When is the best time to visit Kakoijana?
The best time is the cooler, drier window of roughly November to March, when trails are firmer and langur watching is more comfortable. Start early, as langurs are most active in the morning. Avoid the June-September monsoon, which brings heavy rain, slippery hill paths and leeches.
Is there an entry fee or organised safari at Kakoijana?
No published entry fee or organised jeep safari was verified for Kakoijana as of November 2026. Visits are quiet, on-foot forest walks, usually with a local guide arranged informally. Budget mainly for local transport and the guide, and reconfirm any charges locally, as arrangements are informal and can change.
Last updated and sources
Kakoijana suits wildlife watchers and birders willing to walk quietly for a rare primate, rather than travellers wanting a packaged safari. Come in the cool, dry months, go early, and hire a local guide.
Last updated: 4 November 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Bongaigaon district administration, tourist place listing for Kakoijana Reserve Forest (bongaigaon.assam.gov.in); Wikipedia, “Kakoijana reserved forest” (en.wikipedia.org); Wikipedia, “Gee’s golden langur” (en.wikipedia.org); NorthEast Now, “Conservation crisis: the battle for Assam’s Kakoijana’s golden langur habitat,” October 2025 (nenow.in); Wikipedia, “New Bongaigaon Junction railway station” (en.wikipedia.org); The Assam Tribune, “Flights resume at Rupsi Airport,” 2024 (assamtribune.com). Accessed November 2026.
