Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Baksa and Chirang districts of Assam, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse wildlife sanctuaries in India, situated at the foothills of the Himalayas. The sanctuary is renowned for its Bengal tigers, Indian one-horned rhinoceroses, wild buffaloes, golden langurs, and more than 450 bird species. The sanctuary is located along the Manas River, which originates in Bhutan and flows through Assam. It shares its northern boundary with Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan, forming a transboundary conservation area.
HOW TO REACH MANAS NATIONAL PARK
By Air
- Nearest Airport to Manas Wildlife Sanctuary: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (GAU) (~140 km)
- Guwahati has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Chennai.
- From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Manas.
By Train
- Nearest Railway Station to Manas Wildlife Sanctuary: Barpeta Road Railway Station (BPRD) (22 km)
- Alternative stations:
- Guwahati Railway Station (140 km)
- Rangiya Junction (70 km)
- From Barpeta Road, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to the park.
By Road
- Distance from Guwahati: ~140 km (4-hour drive)
- Distance from Barpeta Road: ~22 km (45-minute drive)
- Well-connected by NH 27, and state-run buses/private taxis operate between Guwahati and Barpeta Road.
SAFARI AT MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (ZONES & PRICES)
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is divided into three major safari zones:
Zone | Best for | Entry Gate |
Bansbari Zone | Best for jeep safaris, tiger and rhino sightings | Bansbari Gate |
Bhuiyapara Zone | Good for bird-watching and elephant safaris | Bhuyanpara Gate |
Panbari Range | Remote and less explored, dense forests | Panbari Gate |
Zone | Best for | Entry Gate |
Bansbari Zone | Best for jeep safaris, tiger and rhino sightings | Bansbari Gate |
Bhuiyapara Zone | Good for bird-watching and elephant safaris | Bhuyanpara Gate |
Panbari Range | Remote and less explored, dense forests | Panbari Gate |
SAFARI (TYPES & PRICES)
Sl. No. | Item | Rate in INR (₹) | ||
Indian | Foreigner | BTC Resident | ||
General Charges | ||||
1. | Entry fees per person per trip | 300 | 900 | 200 |
2. | Fee for elephant seat per trip | 1000 | 1800 | 800 |
3. | Toll of road per trip | 500 | 500 | 400 |
4. | Toll for river cruise per trip | 1500 | 1500 | 1200 |
5. | Fee for Rafting | 2800 | 3600 | 2400 |
Camera Charges | ||||
6. | Mobile and Smart Phone | Free | Free | Free |
7. | Non-SLR Still Photography Camera | 150 | 300 | 120 |
8. | SLR Still/Video Photography | 1425 | 4275 | 1140 |
9. | Non-Professional Video Camera | 1425 | 1425 | 1140 |
10. | Professional Video Camera | 14250 | 42750 | 11400 |
Film/Documentary Shooting per day | ||||
11. | Feature Film Shooting | 1,45,000 | 2,90,000 | 1,16,000 |
12. | Security Money for Feature Film | 1,45,000 | 2,90,000 | 1,16,000 |
13. | Documentary Film Shooting | 22,000 | 1,10,000 | 17,600 |
Premium Days (Saturday/Sunday and all Gazette Holidays as per GoA and BTC) | ||||
14. | Entry fees per person per trip | 400 | 1000 | 300 |
15. | Fee for elephant seat per trip | 1200 | 2000 | 1000 |
16. | Toll of road per trip | 600 | 600 | 500 |
17. | Toll for river cruise per trip | 1800 | 1800 | 1500 |
18. | Fee for Rafting | 3000 | 3800 | 2600 |
Departmental Elephant Upkeep | ||||
19. | Fee Per Person | 100 | 200 | 80 |
20. | Too of road per trip | 100 | 100 | 50 |
Entry into Mothanguri Premium Zone (in addition to the above tariffs) | ||||
21. | Entry fee per person per trip | 200 | 400 | 100 |
22. | Toll of road per trip | 300 | 300 | 200 |
Sl. No. | Item | Rate in INR (₹) | ||
Indian | Foreigner | BTC Resident | ||
General Charges | ||||
1. | Entry fees per person per trip | 300 | 900 | 200 |
2. | Fee for elephant seat per trip | 1000 | 1800 | 800 |
3. | Toll of road per trip | 500 | 500 | 400 |
4. | Toll for river cruise per trip | 1500 | 1500 | 1200 |
5. | Fee for Rafting | 2800 | 3600 | 2400 |
Camera Charges | ||||
6. | Mobile and Smart Phone | Free | Free | Free |
7. | Non-SLR Still Photography Camera | 150 | 300 | 120 |
8. | SLR Still/Video Photography | 1425 | 4275 | 1140 |
9. | Non-Professional Video Camera | 1425 | 1425 | 1140 |
10. | Professional Video Camera | 14250 | 42750 | 11400 |
Film/Documentary Shooting per day | ||||
11. | Feature Film Shooting | 1,45,000 | 2,90,000 | 1,16,000 |
12. | Security Money for Feature Film | 1,45,000 | 2,90,000 | 1,16,000 |
13. | Documentary Film Shooting | 22,000 | 1,10,000 | 17,600 |
Premium Days (Saturday/Sunday and all Gazette Holidays as per GoA and BTC) | ||||
14. | Entry fees per person per trip | 400 | 1000 | 300 |
15. | Fee for elephant seat per trip | 1200 | 2000 | 1000 |
16. | Toll of road per trip | 600 | 600 | 500 |
17. | Toll for river cruise per trip | 1800 | 1800 | 1500 |
18. | Fee for Rafting | 3000 | 3800 | 2600 |
Departmental Elephant Upkeep | ||||
19. | Fee Per Person | 100 | 200 | 80 |
20. | Too of road per trip | 100 | 100 | 50 |
Entry into Mothanguri Premium Zone (in addition to the above tariffs) | ||||
21. | Entry fee per person per trip | 200 | 400 | 100 |
22. | Toll of road per trip | 300 | 300 | 200 |
*For children below 12 years, entry fee, elephant seat, fee for rafting will be 50%.
*Aadhar Card/EPIC/Driving License shall be considered as proof of address.
*Tariffs for groups from Educational Institutions shall be 50%
*Maximun 2 vehicles with 6 people each shall be allowed for a period of 20 minutes for elephant upkeep at a time.
*No private vehicle, except those registered with the Manas Tiger Res.erve authorities shall be permitted to enter jurisdictional limits of the Manas Tiger Reserve
*Additional mandatory fees are levied as per government notification.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Season | Months | Weather | Best for |
Winter | November – February | 10°C to 22°C | Best for wildlife sightings, bird watching, comfortable safaris |
Summer | March – May | 25°C to 35°C | Good for spotting tigers and rhinos near water bodies |
Monsoon | June – October | 22°C to 30°C | Park remains closed due to flooding |
Season | Months | Weather | Best for |
Winter | November – February | 10°C to 22°C | Best for wildlife sightings, bird watching, comfortable safaris |
Summer | March – May | 25°C to 35°C | Good for spotting tigers and rhinos near water bodies |
Monsoon | June – October | 22°C to 30°C | Park remains closed due to flooding |
Park Closing Period
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary remains closed from June to mid-October due to heavy monsoon rains.
- The best months for wildlife sightings and safaris are November to April.
MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AT MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Wildlife & Biodiversity
- Royal Bengal Tigers (High density in core areas)
- Indian One-Horned Rhinoceroses
- Asian Elephants
- Golden Langurs (Found only in Assam and Bhutan)
- Wild Water Buffaloes (Largest population in India)
- Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Black Panthers
- Over 450 Bird Species, including the Bengal Florican, Hornbills, and Fishing Eagles
Major Tourist Spots
- Manas River – A scenic river flowing through the park, perfect for photography
- Royal Manas National Park (Bhutan) – A transboundary wildlife reserve
- Bansbari and Bhuyanpara Ranges – Best for safaris and wildlife spotting
- Mathanguri Forest Bungalow – Offers breathtaking views of the Manas River
ACCOMMODATION AT MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Forest Department Guest Houses (Budget-Friendly)
- Mathanguri Forest Lodge (Inside the park, offers great views)
- Bansbari Lodge (Basic amenities, close to safari entry points)
HOW TO BOOK SAFARI FOR MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (ONLINE & OFFLINE)
Online Booking:
- Official Website: https://www.manasnptr.in/
- Required details: Name, ID proof (Aadhar, Passport), date of visit, preferred safari zone.
- Book at least 15-30 days in advance for peak season.
- After successful registration at the website, you can book your tickets by selecting the safari type and/or river rafting for the specific dates, time-slot, and number of persons up to a maximum of 3 seats per Elephant, 5 seats per Jeep and 8 seats for River Rafting per ticket. A ticket can be booked for any time-slot for the specific date of visit for either of the following options: 1 Elephant and/or 1 Jeep and/or 1 raft. Separate bookings are required for each type of safari or river raft. One person can make up to a maximum of 3 bookings for the same date in online mode. Each booking can be extended for a period of maximum 3 days.
Offline Booking:
- Available at Manas National Park Entry Gates (Bansbari, Bhuiyapara, Panbari).
- Subject to availability, so early morning bookings are advised.
Important Travel Tips
✔️ Book safaris & accommodations in advance, especially for peak season (December–April).
✔️ Wear earthy-colored clothes during safaris to blend with nature.
✔️ Carry cash, as ATMs and card payment options are limited near the park.
✔️ Mobile network is weak, so inform family before entering deep forest areas.
✔️ Do not litter or disturb wildlife, follow eco-tourism guidelines.