While planning a stay near Kaziranga National Park I was choosing between three premium properties: Borgos, Iora and the more expensive Diphlu. Borgos and Iora felt similar, though Iora seemed smaller and likely less crowded. I was about to book Iora, but a film shoot had reserved the entire property, so we ended up at Borgos. Below is a detailed account of our February 2021 stay at Borgos Resort.
Table of Contents
- Booking
- Check-in
- Room
- Property
- Food
- Activities
- Bottomline
Booking
- Rate: INR 16,000 per night for a Luxury Deluxe room
- Payment: Amazon Pay vouchers
Borgos also offers lower room categories from around INR 6,000 per night, but we chose the Luxury Deluxe for its larger balcony. At the time, Borgos was not widely listed on reward redemption platforms, so I booked through Goibibo using Amazon Pay vouchers.
Check-in
We arrived and checked in during the evening. The lobby follows a heavy wooden design theme across walls and ceiling. While cohesive, it felt a little overdone to my taste. The front desk was handling multiple guest requests and check-in took longer than expected; a property of this size could benefit from additional front office staff.
From reception to our room was a five-minute walk, one of the longer walks I’ve experienced at a resort—longer than some city hotels—so be prepared if you have luggage or mobility concerns.
Room
The Luxury Deluxe room was spacious, almost like a studio suite, and included a decent-sized balcony. The balcony, however, did not offer a particularly scenic view. Below are photos from our room.
Our main issue was the water heater. After an early morning elephant ride we needed a quick hot shower, but the geyser took almost 20 minutes to warm up and then delivered inconsistent temperatures—alternating between cold and hot. The water pressure system seemed to be the culprit. This was unpleasant for early starts and should be addressed by the hotel.
Property
Borgos sits on several acres and houses over 50 rooms. The resort embraces a rustic design throughout and provides amenities typical of a four-star property: a large lawn suitable for events, a swimming pool and communal spaces. In the evenings they organized an Assam folk dance around a campfire that guests could join, which added a cultural touch to the stay.
Food
Breakfast: The breakfast spread was good, with fresh juices and desserts among the offerings.
In-room dining: The in-room dining was average but adequate for our needs.
Activities
The primary reason to stay in this area is Kaziranga National Park, home to roughly two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses. We took both the elephant and jeep safaris to explore the park.
Elephant ride (early morning):
The early elephant safaris offer the best chance to view rhinos up close, as they often come to waterbeds after sunrise. If you can take only one safari, the elephant ride is the most immersive option because it allows you to approach wildlife more closely than a jeep can. The sunrise ride—fog drifting over the plains, distant mountains as a backdrop and golden light on the landscape—was an unforgettable, almost cinematic experience.
Jeep ride (evening):
Evening jeep safaris require hiring a jeep, which can be pricey for two people, but sharing with other guests makes it affordable. Jeep rides are bumpier and more tiring due to off-road terrain, but they cover more ground and we spotted rhinos and wild buffalo during our trip. They also make for excellent evening photography opportunities.
Bottomline
- Cardexpert Rating: 4.3/5
Overall, Borgos met expectations as a comfortable base for exploring Kaziranga. The resort’s facilities, cultural activities and location are strong points. The inconsistent water heater was the main downside during our stay and is something the hotel should rectify.
More than anything, the wildlife experiences—especially the morning elephant ride and the evening jeep safari—were extraordinary. I recommend anyone visiting Kaziranga to try at least one of these safaris for a truly memorable encounter with nature.
Have you stayed at Borgos or another hotel in Kaziranga? Share your experiences in the comments below.