Day 26: Potasali and the road to Kaziranga

We woke up this morning at the ungodly hour of 5.30, and were out walking in Nameri National Park by 6. Our guide led us to the river and two boatmen rowed us across the river where we walked for about 2 hours. It was a bird watchers haven, the air thick with the sound of bird calls. We also came upon a wild elephant half hidden in the tall grass, as well as several Sambar (a white-tailed deer), some Hornbill, and on the walk back a tree full of Langurs (long-tailed monkeys). We could also hear some Barking Deer through the thick forest.

After an excellent breakfast at the immensely impressive Potasali Eco Camp, we hopped back in the jeep briefly and headed off for our float down the river in a dingy. The weather yet again was fantastic, and we floated down the river for a couple of hours before stopping off for lunch. Our boatmen produced a rice sack full of veg, rice, pots and pans, and collected firewood. From this they managed to cook up a fantastic meal, with 2 main dishes, a salad, and rice. We ate on the river bank, shaded from the sun by the dingy propped up by the oars, and felt like kings. After lunch we floated down another half hour or so, said goodbye to our boatmen and were off to Kaziranga National Park.

We arrived in Jupuri, a place related to Potasali Eco camp, and straight off we could see that the same careful touch had been applied there. After checking out some other accommodation, we settled on Jupuri as our first choice, though we found some more than reasonable alternatives. Tomorrow we will get up at 4.30am for an elephant safari, where apparently the elephants do a pincer movement to enable us to see the unicorn rhonos. I really can't wait!

- Dave