Manas sits against the Bhutan hills in Assam, and it is a rare place that is both a tiger reserve and a world heritage site, wild and beautiful and far quieter than the famous parks.
You book a jeep safari, and the special early elephant ride, on the official Assam government site, sewasetu.assam.gov.in, the same single window used for Kaziranga. You enter mostly from Bansbari, and drive up to Mathanguri on the river. Foreigners pay more than Indians. You visit in the cooler months.
Who needs to book
You need a booking for every person who enters a safari range, Indian or foreign. You cannot take your own vehicle inside. Your booking includes a registered jeep with a driver and a guide. Foreigners pay a higher park fee than Indians, so give the correct nationality when you book.
Jeep and elephant safari, in plain words
The jeep safari is the main way to see Manas. An open jeep with a guide takes you through the grassland and forest, up towards Mathanguri, where the Manas river comes down from Bhutan. The elephant safari is a short early morning ride, small in number and in high demand, so you book it as early as you can. Both give you a real chance of rhino, wild buffalo, deer, and, if you are lucky, a tiger.
The ranges
Manas has more than one range, and Bansbari, in the central part, is the usual entry for tourists, with the drive up to Mathanguri on the river as the highlight. The eastern and western ranges are wilder and used less. You pick your range and time when you book. The open ranges can change from season to season, so check them before you go.
How to book, step by step
Open the official Assam government site, sewasetu.assam.gov.in, and go to the Manas safari booking service. Pick the safari type, the range, the date and the slot. Add each traveller with identity details, and give the correct nationality. Pay online, then download your permit. Carry your permit and the same original identity to the gate, because staff check it there.
What it costs
Your cost has a few parts: the park fee per person, the jeep or elephant charge, and a guide fee. Foreigners pay a higher park fee than Indians. The official site shows you the exact figures when you book. We do not print a fee we cannot see clearly on the official source, because these figures change. You will see the current amount before you pay.
Documents you need
You need one government photo identity per traveller when you book. Indians can use Aadhaar. Foreigners use a passport. Carry the same original to the gate, because staff match it to your permit.
Season, so you plan the right months
Manas opens in the cooler, drier months and closes for the monsoon, when the rivers rise. The ranges usually open from about October or November and run into about April. Plan your trip inside these months, and book the elephant ride early, because it fills fast. Winter mornings against the Bhutan hills are cold, so carry warm clothes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- The biggest trap is booking on a private look alike site that adds a fee. You book only on sewasetu.assam.gov.in. Do not leave the elephant ride to the last minute, because it is small and sells out. Do not give the wrong nationality, or staff may stop you at the gate. Do not plan a monsoon visit, because the park closes.
Questions people ask
Where do I book a Manas safari?
On the official Assam government site, sewasetu.assam.gov.in, the same single window used for Kaziranga.
What is the highlight?
The drive from Bansbari up to Mathanguri, where the Manas river comes down from Bhutan, in a wild and quiet forest.
Do foreigners pay more?
Yes, foreigners pay a higher park fee than Indians.
When is Manas open?
Roughly from October or November into April. It closes for the monsoon. Confirm the exact dates on the official site.
Can I combine Manas with Kaziranga?
Yes, and many people do, because both are in Assam and use the same booking site.