This eco retreat in Assam is where the Brahmaputra meets the one-horned rhino

Experience wildlife and Assamese hospitality at Rhino & River Wildlife Retreat, where the Brahmaputra meets the one-horned rhino.

A trip to Assam feels incomplete without catching a glimpse of the one-horned rhinoceros and soaking in the grandeur of the Brahmaputra. For a relaxed itinerary that delivers both, Rhino & River Wildlife Retreat and Spa offers a neat solution. Located at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Mayong, the resort overlooks the Brahmaputra, bringing wildlife and riverine beauty together in one stay.

View of the cottages at Rhino & River Wildlife Retreat and Spa in Assam’s Mayong | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The name is not incidental. Step onto your balcony in the morning and the river glistens in the sun; as for the rhino, sightings are almost guaranteed, though thankfully, not at your door.

About 200 kilometres from Guwahati, the retreat offers a first-hand experience of Assam’s slow, rural rhythm. No matter the season, mornings begin with birdsong on the balcony. Mynahs, hornbills, pied and white-throated kingfishers, and sparrows keep the air lively, while the riverbank gradually stirs as boats ferry passengers across the water.

View of the cottage with the river in the background | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Designed as a boutique wilderness property, Rhino & River expresses luxury through restraint. The resort has 16 log-hut cottages, each conceived as a private sanctuary. Using natural, locally sourced materials, the architecture — developed in collaboration with Naga designer Aku Zeliang — draws from traditional Assamese monsoon houses and bamboo craftsmanship. Interiors feature bamboo and wood construction, handwoven textiles and tribal art, celebrating the craft heritage of Northeast India.