Hoolock gibbons at Hoollongapar
Hoollongapar is a small, isolated forest near Mariani, about 2.5 hours east of Kohora, surrounded by tea gardens and a railway line. It protects the western hoolock gibbon, the only ape found in India, along with several other primates, including capped langurs and stump-tailed macaques. The forest is tall and evergreen, and walking is on foot with a forest guard.
The gibbons are most active in the early morning, when family groups sing loud, rising calls that carry across the canopy. Your guide follows the calls, and with luck you watch gibbons swing through the treetops with long arms. The walk is on flat forest tracks, but it can be muddy and leeches appear after rain.
We usually include Hoollongapar on the way from Kaziranga to Majuli or Jorhat, leaving the lodge at dawn and reaching the forest by about 8 am. Lunch follows in Jorhat before the ferry to Majuli. Entry and guide fees are paid at the gate.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Where is Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary?
Near Mariani in Jorhat district, Assam, about 2.5 hours east of Kaziranga's Central range and about 30 to 40 minutes from Jorhat town. It is a small forest surrounded by tea gardens and makes an easy stop between Kaziranga and Majuli.
Am I sure to see gibbons at Hoollongapar?
Sightings are not guaranteed, but chances are good on an early morning walk, when the gibbons call and move through the canopy. Your guide follows the calls. Several other primates, including capped langurs, are also commonly seen. Arrive by 8 am for the best chances.
What should I wear at Hoollongapar?
Long trousers, closed shoes, muted colours and insect repellent. After rain, leech socks are useful. The walk is on flat forest tracks, but roots and mud make good shoes important. Bring binoculars, as gibbons often stay high in the canopy.
Also in Kaziranga National Park
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