Diphlu River Lodge opened in January 2008, providing much-needed top-class accommodation at Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site. The position of the lodge is second to none: only the boundary river separates its extensive grounds from the National Park itself, and the jungle views are exceptional. Assam Bengal Navigation runs the lodge to the same exacting standards of their well-established river cruises on the Brahmaputra and the Hugli, while their Bansbari Lodge at Manas National Park on the Bhutan border offers simpler but comfortable accommodation for another wildlife experience.

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK, ASSAM
The National Park covers about 430 sq kms, bordered on the north by the Brahmaputra River and on the south by the Karbi Anglong hills. The largest number of one-horned rhinoceros in the world roams its swamps, grasslands with tall thickets of elephant grass and areas of mixed deciduous and tropical semi-evergreen forest. It is home to a wide variety of other animals and birds, and the open vistas make it relatively easy to see many species of wildlife in a day.

FAUNA
As well as the Indian rhino, the Park contains about 35 major mammals, including wild elephant, tiger, small population of hoolock gibbon, capped langur, bristly hare, hog badger, otter, leopard, wild boar, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer, muntjac, water buffalo and gaur. Among the rich birdlife are the rare greater adjutant stork, Bengal florican, black-necked stork, lesser adjutant stork, Pallas's fish eagle, swamp partridge, grey peacock-pheasant, great pied hornbill, green imperial pigeon, babblers and thousands of migratory birds, seasonally attracted to the various water areas of the park from as far away as Siberia.

DIPHLU RIVER LODGE
Initially we have built 4 individual cottages and 4 semi-detached cottages. Made of bamboo and thatch, the air-conditioned cottages are built on stilts above the ground. A further four rooms are being built bringing the total capacity to 24 guests. All cottages sleep 2 and have been beautifully designed to make full use of local materials and artefacts and blend in with the stunning natural surroundings. All are well-appointed and charmingly furnished with individual interiors. Each has a seating area with comfortable cane furniture, a writing desk, mini-bar, safe, small fridge and tea & coffee machine as well as top-quality beds and mattresses. The very spacious separate cottages have a wide folding glass door opening onto a thatched verandah with cane day bed and inviting chairs, and overlook the Diphlu River and National Park, while at the rear a deck with sun loungers looks across farmland. The semi-detached cottages all have equally attractive large balconies from which to savour the magical surroundings in the open air. All shower bathrooms are en-suite with roomy dressing area and fitted wardrobe.

High above the river is the Machan. (Machan, pronounced ma chaan, means "jungle platform".) This has air-conditioned sitting and dining areas opening onto a large verandah with high thatch ceiling and bamboo floor. Guests can congregate here to swap the day's jungle stories over a drink or a delicious meal, sink onto sofas with a book from the library, relax by the fireplace on chilly winter evenings, enjoy an al fresco breakfast on the verandah after returning from early morning safari, watch for birds or scan the opposite bank for wild animals.

Further along the river bank a jetty will enable our guests to embark on river trips in dugout canoes, from which they can look out for otters and for buffalo, deer or rhino grazing on the far bank. This River Bank area is also perfect for the barbecues and camp fires we arrange - or as just another idyllic spot for a sundowner while watching the vivid colours of sunset across the river.

The grounds of the lodge have been carefully planned to preserve the natural environment. As you enter from the road you pass through a zone planted with trees and bamboos, past an open area where we hold tribal dance performances, before you leave your car at the ridge where the land slopes down to farmland, the main resort and river. Steps lead down to railed bamboo walkways over the paddy field and other crops, linking the cottages and Machan without disturbing the agriculture. The eco-friendly operation of the resort includes re-cycling grey water for irrigation.

Diphlu River Lodge is ideally placed for easy access, on National Highway 37, only 3 km from the Baguri Forest range office and elephant ride point of Kaziranga National Park. Daily jeep and elephant safaris are available, and we will have the services of resident trained naturalists in this birdwatchers' paradise. We will also offer village visits, river walks and walks through tea gardens.

GETTING THERE
Diphlu River Lodge is situated on National Highway 37, 220 kms east of Guwahati. There are scheduled flights from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangkok into Guwahati airport, and from Kolkata into Tezpur and Jorhat airports. Guwahati is approximately 4 hours driving time, Jorhat 2 ½ and Tezpur 1 hour.

Arrangements can be made to collect guests from the airport at extra charge.

Our Bansbari Lodge at Manas National Park on the Bhutan border is 7 hrs drive away. It is also possible to reach Kaziranga from Guwahati or Dibrugarh on one of Assam Bengal Navigation's Brahmaputra cruises.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
The walkways at the Lodge have low-level lighting to guide guests to their room, along with a security escort if required, and all guests are given a torch to use. Since the surface of the walkways is unevenly woven bamboo, please make sure you bring sensible shoes. In the Park naturalists are trained in animal behaviour, first aid and outdoor emergencies. There is a doctor available on call.