Manas National Park: Tiger Reserve & UNESCO Site in Assam

India's Hidden Wildlife Jewel

While Kaziranga gets most of the attention for Assam wildlife tourism, Manas National Park is arguably more spectacular — and far less crowded. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve all in one, Manas covers 950 sq km of pristine forest along the India-Bhutan border, straddling the Manas River.

The park is home to one of the most impressive biodiversity concentrations in South Asia — including several species found nowhere else in the world.

Wildlife at Manas

The Big Draws

Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros: After being pushed to near-extinction in Manas by poaching and insurgency in the 1990s, rhinos have been successfully reintroduced from Kaziranga. Numbers are recovering steadily.

Bengal Tiger: Manas has a healthy tiger population. Sightings are less frequent than Ranthambore but encounters in Manas have a particular wildness — dense forest rather than open scrub.

Wild Elephant: Large herds of Asian elephants cross between India and Bhutan through Manas. Elephant encounters here are extraordinary — sometimes entire herds of 50+ animals.

Golden Langur: One of the rarest primates in India, found only in Assam and Bhutan. Manas is one of the best places to see them.

Pygmy Hog: The world's smallest pig — found almost exclusively in Manas. Once thought extinct, conservation efforts have brought it back from the brink.

Hispid Hare: Another Manas specialty — a rare burrowing rabbit.

Other Wildlife

Manas National Park forest

Clouded leopard

Capped langur

Slow loris

Giant squirrel

Gangetic river dolphin (in the Manas River)

Indian rock python

Birdlife

Over 450 species of birds have been recorded in Manas — making it one of India's premier birding destinations. Key species include:

Bengal florican (critically endangered)

Great hornbill

Pied kingfisher

Crested serpent eagle

Numerous waterfowl species

Getting to Manas

Nearest city:: Barpeta Road (20km from the park gate) — well connected by rail to Guwahati (100km, 2–3 hours)

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By car from Guwahati:: 180km, approximately 4 hours on NH27 west

From Shillong:: 200km, approximately 5–6 hours via Guwahati

Entry gate:: Bansbari Gate (most used for tourism)

Safaris

Both elephant safaris and jeep safaris are available. The two safari types cover different parts of the park and offer different experiences:

Assam wildlife sanctuary

Jeep safari:: 2–3 hours, covers the riverside grasslands and forest tracks. Best for rhino, deer, and birdlife.

Elephant safari:: Rides on trained elephants through dense forest. Better for approaching rhinos and wild elephants on foot-like terms.

Booking: Safaris must be pre-booked through the Manas Tiger Reserve website or through authorized operators. October–April is the season; February–March often has the best sightings.

Where to Stay

Inside the park:: Mathanguri forest lodge (inside the core zone) — unforgettable location on the Manas River with views into Bhutan. Book months in advance.

Outside the park:: Several eco-lodges near Bansbari — good food, comfortable rooms, knowledgeable naturalists.

Budget option:: Forest guesthouses at Barpeta Road.

Best Time to Visit

February to April:: Best animal sightings; vegetation lower, visibility good

October to November:: Park reopens post-monsoon; lush and green

May:: Closing month — still operational but vegetation is dense

The park closes from June to September (monsoon).

Combining Manas with Meghalaya

Manas works excellently as a pre- or post-Meghalaya stop in a Northeast India circuit:

Guwahati (airport) → Manas (2 nights) → Shillong → Meghalaya tour:

Alternatively: **Meghalaya → Shillong → Guwahati → Manas → depart**

Experience India's most diverse wilderness before or after your Meghalaya trip. Meghalaya Cabs provides transport from Shillong to Guwahati and can help coordinate your Manas transfer. Book your trip online →