Day 27: Kaziranga

The earliest start of the trip so far. 4:15am out of bed for the 5am elephant safari... we really are dedicated to our work! We gave our driver a bit of a roasting for turning up 30mins late, but nevertheless managed to join the other safari goers 'on time'. Having settled into our seats atop this great creature, we strode through the thick elephant grass and it wasn't long before we spotted a deer that had been killed most likely by a tiger, but it had long gone. It made me wonder how in the times of the Raj, the British rode these magnificent beasts and almost shot the tiger and other wildlife into near extinction.

Further ahead we came face to face with the fabled unicorn rhinoceros, named as such because of its solitary horn. All the elephants closed in and there was a momentary standoff when the rhino refused to be bullied away. Just when the rhino started to charge, the guard fired a blank and it ran off. We saw more rhinos as well as herds of swamp, hog and barking deer, recognisable by their distinctively loud bark.

After returning to the lodge for breakfast we headed out again for the morning jeep safari, where we rode in an open top around the Central Range of the National Park. This place is a haven for bird lovers and we could see why, as it felt as if we could hear each of the 500+ species in the park. We spotted more rhinos, elephants, deer and a monitaur lizard. We tried in vain to search for the elusive tiger, but it evaded us this time. The landscape varied throughout the ride, sometimes lush green tropical-like vegetation, to open grasslands thick with elephant grass and watering holes where thirsty animals would gather.

We were staying at the well-known Wild Grass resort today, and the dining hall and veranda conjured up images of a bygone colonial era. Later in the evening local girls performed traditional songs and dances to the hypnotic melody of Indian drums and flute. A great way to cap off what had been yet another action-packed day.

- Rahul